MREGAN
July 30-2007, 02:21 PM
Mountain biking is the fastest growing section of recreational cyclists in the United Kingdom, and 22million adults are thought to own a mountain bike. In Northern Ireland however, the figures are lower. Only 1 percent of trips in Northern Ireland are on a bike, according to the 1997 Study of Cycle Usage commissioned by the Department of Regional Development. This compares to 2 percent in Great Britain, 15 percent in Switzerland and 18 percent in Denmark. And we don’t even have the Alps to pedal up. So why isn’t Northern Ireland a hotbed of hot wheels? Whilst the climate may have something to answer for, there is a distinct lack of facilities in comparison to the rest of the UK.
The National Cycle Network has been hard at work drawing white lines over the roads and in parks, but how many of us actually know where they go? What stops the majority of would-be mountain bikers from following their curiosity, is the fact that these trails are more for the ‘sustainable transport’, and not for those seeking to get off-road to test their fitness, nerve and bounce of their bones. In other words, it just isn’t exciting enough.
But things are looking up for those wanting to get dirty. Fivemiletown in Co.Tyrone isn’t the first place that you would think of to go mountain biking, but hopefully by 2008 Bleesingbourne Estate will be firmly on the map as the place to go.
This project is a collaboration between Countryside Recreation Northern Ireland Ltd and the privately owned ‘Blessingbourne Estate’. The overall aim of the project is to create a sustainable off-road cycling venue within the Estate. The project involves the development of up to 10 kms of off-road cycling trails utilising existing trails and creating sections of new purpose built single-track trail. As well as the trails a new car park, bike wash, interpretation and waymarking will be installed. A Trail Card is also planned for trail users.
Located approximately 600 m from the village of Fivemiletown in Co. Tyrone, the Estate, owned by Nick & Colleen Lowry, is a working farm of 550 acres of farm and mature woodland. The Estate already has a strong involvement in tourism, centred on the provision of 4 self-catering apartments. The apartments are complimented by a 20-acre fishing lake, a range of walking trails, bike hire and pony riding for residents, tennis courts and the newly established barn complex. (Offering a space for events or entertainment). The Courtyard Apartments within the Estate have already won Rural Cottage of the Year.
The existing product at Blessingbourne will provide a sound base for the development of off-road cycling and is ideally suited to cater for the activity tourism market. Following an initial site visit from Dafydd Davis and Andy Beavis (IMBA) it was agreed that the site has huge potential to become a top mountain biking venue. The overall costs are estimated at £286,870. These costs are based an initial site evaluation completed by Dafydd Davis (an internationally renowned Trail Designer) on 7th November 2006.
Applications have been submitted to the Northern Ireland Tourist Board through the Tourism Development Scheme (TDS) and to the Sports Lottery, under the Building Sport Programme, In addition £25,000 has been secured from Dungannon Council towards the project.
In the long term Dungannon & South Tyrone Counicl will lease the trails for 25 years from Blessingbourne. The Council will then be responsible for trail management and maintenance.
The National Cycle Network has been hard at work drawing white lines over the roads and in parks, but how many of us actually know where they go? What stops the majority of would-be mountain bikers from following their curiosity, is the fact that these trails are more for the ‘sustainable transport’, and not for those seeking to get off-road to test their fitness, nerve and bounce of their bones. In other words, it just isn’t exciting enough.
But things are looking up for those wanting to get dirty. Fivemiletown in Co.Tyrone isn’t the first place that you would think of to go mountain biking, but hopefully by 2008 Bleesingbourne Estate will be firmly on the map as the place to go.
This project is a collaboration between Countryside Recreation Northern Ireland Ltd and the privately owned ‘Blessingbourne Estate’. The overall aim of the project is to create a sustainable off-road cycling venue within the Estate. The project involves the development of up to 10 kms of off-road cycling trails utilising existing trails and creating sections of new purpose built single-track trail. As well as the trails a new car park, bike wash, interpretation and waymarking will be installed. A Trail Card is also planned for trail users.
Located approximately 600 m from the village of Fivemiletown in Co. Tyrone, the Estate, owned by Nick & Colleen Lowry, is a working farm of 550 acres of farm and mature woodland. The Estate already has a strong involvement in tourism, centred on the provision of 4 self-catering apartments. The apartments are complimented by a 20-acre fishing lake, a range of walking trails, bike hire and pony riding for residents, tennis courts and the newly established barn complex. (Offering a space for events or entertainment). The Courtyard Apartments within the Estate have already won Rural Cottage of the Year.
The existing product at Blessingbourne will provide a sound base for the development of off-road cycling and is ideally suited to cater for the activity tourism market. Following an initial site visit from Dafydd Davis and Andy Beavis (IMBA) it was agreed that the site has huge potential to become a top mountain biking venue. The overall costs are estimated at £286,870. These costs are based an initial site evaluation completed by Dafydd Davis (an internationally renowned Trail Designer) on 7th November 2006.
Applications have been submitted to the Northern Ireland Tourist Board through the Tourism Development Scheme (TDS) and to the Sports Lottery, under the Building Sport Programme, In addition £25,000 has been secured from Dungannon Council towards the project.
In the long term Dungannon & South Tyrone Counicl will lease the trails for 25 years from Blessingbourne. The Council will then be responsible for trail management and maintenance.