New Downhill MTB Trail Opens At Grizedale

"The Black" was officially opened at Grizedale on 30 March. The first purpose built black downhill mountain bike trail in Cumbria was built by a team of volunteers lead by Grizedale Mountain Bike and with support from the Forestry Commission.

After cutting the ribbon at the top of the trail - actually some bike inner tubes! - the volunteers were the first to test out the 1km long trail, which offers a series of challenges for the experience biker. The volunteers have been working hard on the construction of the trail since last summer, with Lee Rayton from Grizedale Mountain Bikes, leading the team on their dig days. The Forestry Commission provided assistance in the shape of design advice for the trail as well as some mechanical digging and lifting, although much of the trail was crafted by hand.

Katie Jarvis, Forestry Commission recreation ranger at Grizedale Forest, said: "It is great to be able to launch a new mountain biking trail at Grizedale. We already have a strong reputation within the sport as being a great destination for mountain biking and this trail offers something different to the trails already in the forest.

We are now able to offer great trails to suit all levels of riders, from families with children on our forest road routes, the cross-country mountain bikers with the North Face Trail and bridleways, and now the more experienced riders and downhill adrenaline-junkies with the new black route. We would like to say a huge thanks to all the volunteers who have given up their free time to create this trail and I hope they and other bikers have great fun riding it now and over many years into the future."

For more information about Grizedale please visit www.visitlakelandforests.co.uk. For more information about Grizedale Mountain Bikes visit www.grizedalemountainbikes.co.uk.