Yorkshire's SingletrAction group and the Foresty Commission has secured another chunk of funding for its trailbuilding projects. About a year ago the group was heavily involved in getting hold of a £400,000 grant to develop the trail network at Dalby Forest. The new bit of funding might be only a small proportion of that at £37,500, but it's going into a smaller-scale project - the technical trails at Stainburn Forest.
Up until now the Stainburn trails have been entirely volunteer-built. Progress, while remarkable in its own way, has inevitably been limited by resources. The money, from the North Yorkshire Aggregates Grants Scheme, will accelerate building and allow a complete 3.8km loop to be completed. That'll extend the current 1.5km "Boulder Trail" section. Like the Boulder Trail, it'll be a rock/jump/corner fest, but there'll be chicken runs around all the scary-looking bits for the less confident.
The new trail is nearly half-complete and should be finished by the end of March. There are plans afoot to add a second loop in the not-too-distant future, too.
Tim Sellors, Singletraction volunteer, said:
"We've been working on the trails for several years, planning and building routes that will offer a real challenge to mountain bikers. We have packed in some physically difficult and technically demanding features making the most of the woodland. Features include steep descents, technical climbs, rock steps, off camber sections and even some "North Shore" style timber constructions. This funding is a great step forward allowing trails to be completed much quicker. We're really excited that a full loop will soon be completed."
Not all of the money will be going directly into new trails - some is earmarked for conservation work, including opening up overgrown trails and improving drainage on well-used ones. The Forestry Commission is also turning over a third of the 550 acre forest for the natural regeneration of native trees like oak, rowan and birch.
Find out more at www.singletraction.org.uk.
