Spectacular Bike Trails Set For Launch At Free Open Day
Bikers are being invited to saddle-up to mark the opening of a new £300,000 Centre of Cycling Excellence at Sherwood Pines Forest Park. The massive investment in new trails will be unveiled at a free Family Fun Day in the 1,200-hectare (3,000-acre) beauty-spot, near Clipstone, Nottinghamshire, on Sunday 26 April. The move is the largest investment of its kind by the Forestry Commission on its estate in the East Midlands and has been backed by a £147,500 grant from the Alliance SSP programme. The woodland is already the region’s biggest off-roading and family cycling venue, attracting 250,000 bikers every year. But many of the old routes used forest roads. Now a new network built specifically for bikers of all abilities has been created. Trails include a training loop, three and six mile family and adventure trails and a fast and demanding eight mile cross country route. They will be open for the first time at the Family Fun Day, when riders will get the chance to take their bikes for a spin! Recreation Manager Chris Bray said: "The key aim of the project is not just to provide top end facilities for ardent bikers, but also terrific new opportunities for casual and family riders and get more folk to saddle up. There's plenty of scope to develop your skills, or just enjoy a relaxing ride. The new trails look fantastic and will be a tremendous boost to the whole area." Sherwood Pines Cycle Centre will be offering 30 minute free biking clinics and bike safety checks during the Family Fun Day and there'll also be gravity defying displays by the professional M.A.D/Land Rover Stunt Team. The Fun Day is being staged as part of Spring into Health Week aiming to get folk into the woods to keep fit and chill out. There'll also be tai chi taster sessions, wheelchair treks, African dance workshops, climbing wall, Nordic walking, bushcraft and circus skills – all for free. Organiser Hannah Darcel added: "Together with the chance to try the new bike routes it adds up to a great day in the forest for all ages." Activities are based around the forest visitor centre and events run from 10am to 4pm. Sherwood Pines Forest Park is signed off the B6030 Ollerton to Clipstone road, south of Edwinstowe. For more information call 01623 822447 or visit www.forestry.gov.uk/EastMidlandsLatest news
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