British Bike Champion Gives Shropshire Cycle Trail The Thumbs Up

A national cycling professional from Craven Arms near Ludlow has become an ambassador for a revamped Shropshire cycle trail, to encourage more local people to get active and enjoy the region’s forests. 22 year old Marc Beaumont is one of Britain’s leading cycling champions and regularly trains in Eastridge Wood, which sits at the northern end of the Stiperstones between Snailbeach, Habberley and Minsterley in Shropshire. Marc has just completed the Mountain Bike World Championships in Fort William. Over the last 6 months, the Forestry Commission and partners have been upgrading the accessibility of cycling routes in Eastridge Wood, so that cycling enthusiasts like Marc, in the West Midlands have greater access to a series of waymarked trails. Marc is now working with the Forestry Commission to encourage local people of all abilities to saddle up and take advantage of five new colour-coded routes, including family trails and steep downhill descents for more hardened riders. UK cycling champion, Marc Beaumont, says: “I jumped at the chance of working with the Forestry Commission to promote cycling at Eastridge Wood. I’ve cycled and trained there for years and enjoy the variety of terrain and technical difficulty it offers. “It’s great to part of a project that offers everyone the chance to get active and enjoy the Shropshire countryside on their bike.” The Forestry Commission is running a campaign - Active Woods - to encourage people to make the most of the opportunities that forests provide for healthy activity. Georgina Sharp, Recreation Ranger for the Forestry Commission in the Marches Area, said: “We’re delighted that Marc is giving up his time to assist us with the Eastridge Wood cycle trail project and encourage local people to use the new look facilities, whatever their age or ability. He is a great role model for young people. “Forests are ideal places for cycling and mountain biking, offering a range of health and fitness opportunities. Natural green spaces are good for people’s wellbeing and morale too.” The blue route is 2.5km long and is ideal for families and off-road beginners, with its wide tracks. The 5km yellow route is more of a challenge, with climbs, descents and sections of single track. The brown trail is for experienced mountain bikers with good off-road riding skills and offers 7km of single track and steep slopes. The two new downhill trails are marked in black and include jumps and turns for the advanced cyclist. The visitor facilities have also been upgraded at Eastridge Wood, with the introduction of a giant map showing each of the waymarked cycle trails and an extended, levelled car park. The project has been made possible from the financial support of the Blue Remembered Hills Project, which is part of the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. For more information visit www.forestry.gov.uk/marches