Enhanced Cross-Country Trail awaits the world's best

Forestry Commission Scotland staff based in Lochaber have been hard at work over the winter months enhancing the cross-country mountain bike trail at Leanachan Forest in preparation for the 2007 UCI Mountain Bike & Trials World Championships. Improvement work includes elements that will enhance both spectator and competitor experience and has involved a bridge moving over 150 miles. The work has been conducted by highly skilled, Forestry Commission craftspeople experienced in trail building, civil engineering and mountain biking. Spectators will benefit from a newly established section of the trail right next to where the Championship village will be situated. This new section of track weaves its way though the trees between the mesmerising 4X course and the river where the Championship Trials will be held. As riders make the long climb uphill from the start of the course, they will soon reach a stretch of track (approximately 500 metres) that has been widened. This enhancement had been created to provide riders with more opportunity than previously available to pass slower competitors on this arduous uphill section of the 7.4 kilometres course. Here vital race places could be gained or lost at this part of the course during the Championships. The track narrows again after this section and returns to a single-track climb. After the steep climb, riders will cross a new timber bridge, spanning 20 metres, along the old puggy line (a historic railway line used in the 40's and 50's to transport material and men required to build the dams for the aluminium shelter on neighbouring land). The bridge, made of stress laminated timber, has journeyed over 150 miles to its new Highland location. Designed 'in-house' by the Commission's Civil Engineers, the core structure of the bridge has been located over recent years at Glentress in the Scottish Borders - another extremely popular Forestry Commission Scotland mountain bike centre. Now in its stunning new situation, the bridge adds a scenic new addition to the World Championship cross-country trail. Towards the highest part of the trail, riders will pass through a newly installed sub-terrain pipe as they make their way to the top of the course. As they travel through the pipe feature, descending riders on their way back to the Championship village, and start of the course, will cross overhead above ground. This element of the course will not only provide the riders with a new challenge but also offer an exciting viewing spot for spectators and photographers alike. Sarah MacLennan, Recreation Forester, Lochaber Forest District said: "We've been working hard over the winter months maintaining and enhancing this already challenging course, adding many new features and sections that will appeal to spectators and competitors alike. "I particularly like the newly created pipe loop section towards the highest part of the course. It adds a completely new dimension to the trail and can also be seen from the car park where the Championship village will be come September. Spectators will definitely appreciate being able to get even closer than ever to the track to see the world's best riders in action." Work on the trail in Leanachan Forest will be completed shortly and will be open to anyone wishing to test the trail before the world's best arrive in force for the Championships in September. Amongst the first riders who will be riding the revamped course will be some of Britain's top racers hopeful of competiting in the World Championship events. The racers will be taking part in Scottish cross-country races that will held on the new course on 19 and 20 May. For more information about the trail in Leanachan Forest, Fort William and other Forestry Commission Scotland mountain bike trails in Scotland visit www.forestry.gov.uk/mtbscotland Tickets for the World Championship are on sale now. For ticket information and all the latest news about the 2007 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships visit www.fortwilliamworldchamps.co.uk.co.uk

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