NI to get 26 MTB trails- Official!

[Steveb]

Or at least it's official according to the Sports Minister David Hanson MP.

In a press release out today announcing the opening of the Craignavon trail he says "With three more cycling trails planned for this year and a total of 26 trails planned for sites throughout Northern Ireland the public will have every opportunity to participate in quality off-road cycling in a planned, managed and safe environment. This is very exciting not only in terms of benefiting the health of users but also to the future economy of Northern Ireland in terms of tourism and the environment."

Obviously this is great news, if it's correct. Which of course it must be if it's come from the Sports Minister. MTBrider is following up the release with the relevent people and will report back soon.

[Conor]

Does the FS know about this!!!!???

26 trails. What type, where, who's land etc??

get digging steve!

[tankslapper]

Henson - was he not the guy who created the Muppets......................

[Wilber]

really!

[RobS]

smashing news, if it's all above board!
surely that can't be at 26 different locations?! feel free to ridicule me for stating the obvious!

[imcg]

!!!!!!!

You got a link?

[Conor]

smashing news, if it's all above board!
surely that can't be at 26 different locations?! feel free to ridicule me for stating the obvious!

probably 4-5 family trails at 5 different locations... one being craigavon, and castlewellan.

Can't picture Black grade runs winding through big forests and hill shides...better than nowt though.

[Mr Black]

It's a great start, and if they are a success then it's just more ammunition against the FS to get more challenging stuff!

[keith]

Hopefully this opens the door for more trails and improves FS attitudes towards us (I am an optimist)

[Hollywood]

Yes, be optimistic!

Having some kind of trails is better than nowt...

[John_O]

Excellent

[thetrailbuilder]

wow that was unexpected lets hope there goodens

[Pete 36]

I was at the opening today and rode the finished trail, it is excellent and special praise goes to all involved.

I think we need to start and Lobby Hanson as it was mentioned by one of the speakers about the current FS situation. So get writing!!

Also after speaking to a few people today one thing is clear.

Nobody has a good word to say about Forest Service,.......................................... .......................... I wonder why?


Dont forget to watch the news tonight six thirty!

[graeme]

this guy?

http://www.davidhanson.labour.co.uk/

[Pete 36]

Thats the one, please get writing, I think it may make a difference!

[graeme]

ok i'll write

[Hollywood]

Letter away!

[Fox]

dream on

[Pete 36]

dream on


Dont be so bloody defeatist!

[imcg]

dream on

Remember what the scots and welsh thought a few years back?


What would they say now??

[Pete 36]

exactly

[Fox]

when i'm 65.....

[gaulty]

Ok mine is sent.

love your tits john

[Conor]

Fox... if we were as optomistic as you then we'd have all given up years ago.


Gualty, fancy a day trip with me, Malc and few others on the 1st Oct to Kirroghtree?

Can't remember if you replyed in the forum or not!!!

[gaulty]

just back from Amsterdam Conor lol so an other trip would go down like a fart in a space suit right now, but let me know if theres room or what ever before then and ill see whats happenin. Ill see malc next week some time anyway, i may get down to scalp on Sat avo if i get finished work in time

Should have got a run too Fort Bill this weekend,even without the bike

[graeme]

who is fox?
malcolm trolling?????

[imcg]

letter sent

[graeme]

yip just done mine

[graeme]

just found this on coleraine councils website

Home > Tourism & Leisure > Leisure Activities > Cycling

Cycling In The Borough Of Coleraine
A significant proportion of the National Cycle Network (NCN) Route 93 passes through the north of the Borough. It is readily identified by distinctive signage.

Substantial sections of the route, which links Downhill, Coleraine, Portstewart, Portrush and Bushmills/Portballintrae, offer superb coastal scenery, and are along traffic-free purpose-built cycle paths. These constitute a relatively safe leisure facility for all users, including families with young children, but all users are encouraged to follow the Highway Code and exercise caution.

A new cycling leaflet has been published by Coleraine Borough Council, Sustrans and DRD Roads Service highlighting cycling opportunities within the Borough of Coleraine. The leaflet, entitled "Cycling in the Borough of Coleraine", provides a detailed insight into cycle routes along the north coast and also features a suggested route for exploring the north Sperrins countryside around the village of Garvagh in the south west of the Borough.

The leaflets are available from tourist information centres and Council offices.

For further details contact Council's Countryside Access Officer at (028) 7034 7234 or email mark.strong@colerainebc.gov.uk


do all councils have a countryside access officer?
if so get writing
ian chris andy and other north coasters pester him with a few emails

[graeme]

sent stuff to coleraine ballymoney moyle and limavady councils

[imcg]

Dear Sir

I hope this will encourage you to look at the provision of off rroad mountain bike trails in the coleraine/limavady/castlerock/portstewart/portrush area, as one element of a provincial issue with respect to the immediate necessity for provision of mountain cycling facility provision in Northen Ireland. I'm a committed mountain bike cyclist with specific interest in off road trails and have found that to date there is poor provision for this outdoor sport/activity in the area where i live. This is a sport which involves an unprecedented number of keen enthusiasts who would be more than keen to participate in a regular basis in any trails provided all around this local area. The demand for this sport is something which has escalated quite markedly in the past few years and is at a level approaching the numbers involved attending the trails available in the immediate surrounding areas in Scotland (even after having to use a ferry ride, specifically Kirroughtree/Malbie/Innerleithen/Newcastleton/Glentrool/Dalbeattie/Glentress; and by no means is this list exhaustive.

My own concerns arise from the perceived lack of provision, or indeed intent for provision, to provide trails that will accommodate the rapidly growing numbers of people who would without a doubt, leap at the chance to enjoy facilities that are commonplace on the mainland, and indeed to incorporate areas that have the capacity (according to innumerable reports:(please feel free to contact me directly if you need any further data/information) to surpass any such facilities that currently exist. We have unrivalled resources and potentially unrivalled facilities (again according to several reports from external sources such as CAAN or IMBA) to achieve a previously unimagined tourist attraction..not only for dedicated mountain bikers but also for opportunistic cyclists/tourists, / dedicated downhillers / cross country trail riders / family cyclists / tandems!!. My point is that the potential is unlimited for all sorts of groups to enjoy an unbelievable resource. For example: The recent World Cup negotiations! We've got a world class competitior with every chance of lifting the gold. We've got a world class resource to match. What's being done about it???

Is it encouraged!!??

You answer

[imcg]

Err I meant Olympics really..

Got carried away!!!

[Rick]

keep on writing - all helps keep it on the agenda

lots of cyclists out in the forests is also what we need...

...

- most councils have an countryside access officer - but not all..

[andyh]

Apparently this information isn't correct, it refers to the original proposals made by CAAN about 3 years ago.

So it's not happening.

But the really encouraging thing is that DCAL have recognised that mountain biking is important and developing of MTB trails will deliver excellent Health, Recreation, and Tourism opportunities.

[Hollywood]

Bugger!

[Hollywood]

I'll see what response I get back Herr Hanson.