CycleNI.com goes live

[MTBrider]

Well it seems to have been live for some time, but word has only just reached MTBrider towers!

On the home page it proudly announces the site is a joint marketing initiative between Sustrans and The Countryside Access & Activities Network. The project is also supported by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, Environment & Heritage Service, Health Promotion Agency for Northern Ireland, and DRD Roads Service. Predictably Forest Service is noticable by their absence.

Whilst the overal site is geared more to the leisure rider and commuter, mountain biking, along with BMX does have it's own page detailing the off road riding available at three locations: Craigavon, Gortin Glen, Belvoir Forest Park (MTBrider project) and Moneyscalp. Of Gortin Glen the website says In 1996 The Gortin Glens Forest Park set an area aside for mountain biking. A wide variety of tracks to cater for all levels of difficulty were developed over 2 miles and plenty of hills.

With mountain biking now the only growing sector within cycling, and a huge money spinner in terms of tourism for every other part of the UK, the site once again hi-lights the sheer lack of facilities MTBers have in NI.

www.cycleni.com

[andyh]

what about this one ?

http://www.nimountainbiking.com/index.cfm

[Rick]

yes bit cheeky describing craigavon trails as moderate and the first purpose built mtb trail sure forest service built gortin glen back in 1995!

[andyh]

yeah that's it guys, rather then being positive about other people trying to develope mountain bike facilities lets get picky about the bits we don't like.

[Rick]

Picky ..mmm.. not really - if Craigavon is to be described as moderate what is easy in mtb terms - flat bitmac paths - but then they aren't mtb trails... Craigavon is the ideal easy starter for mtb flat and not technical i.e. ideal for beginners.

So not being picky just think such things need to carefuly thought out -especially when our friends that be so easily pick on excuses to prevent any mtb development.

[andyh]

have you anything positive to say ?

[dulldave]

If you're not a cyclist then your definition of moderate will be different to a weekly mtb rider.

[Steveb]

Craigavon is moderate to intermediate I'd say. Defo not beginner.

Bear in mind that the stuff the average serious mtber does is way off the scale in terms describing it to by standers.

And I'd say the article is about the overal lack of trails, not how the few we have are described.

[david306]

Rick, I agree with Andy, we should welcome and support any actions by suits to promote mountain biking in NI. As an prime example MTBrider worked very hard to build relations with the forest service to build a trail through Belvoir. This is now a decent area to ride and is constantly being well maintained.

There may not be Kirroughtree type trails here yet and we may never see them but at least its going the right direction and thats better than nothing at all...