Bikedock Belles

The Mournes

The Mournes is set to become a key short break destination for mountain biking within the UK . This project includes the development of 18kms of X-Country trails within Castlewellan Forest Park and 25kms of X-Country trails and 3kms of Downhill trails within Rostrevor Forest Park. Contractors will be sought to complete this substantial trail building project early in 2011 with a view to commencing work on site in the Spring. It is anticipated that works will take up to one year to complete.

Barnett Demesne & Mary Peters

In Oct 10, Belfast City Council agreed to include the 'Barnett & Mary Peters Mountain Bike Trails Project' on its list of potential capital schemes. In addition, the Council agreed to part-fund the project subject to external funding being secured. Based on this, CAAN commissioned mountain bike trail designer Phil Saxena of ‘Architrail’ to complete a concept design for the project in Nov 2010. The concept includes the development of two trail systems - the first has 'green' and 'red' trails and the other 'blue' trails and a jump trail system. CAAN has applied to Sport NI and the Rural Development Programme (Lagan Partnership) to fund the separate trail systems. If successful, it is hoped the projects will be delivered by the end of March 2012. The total project costs are estimated at £300k for the blue and jump trail system, and £283k for the green and red trail system.

Multi-Use Trails:

CastleWard Demesne

In January contractors will be starting work on the development of a multi-purpose trail system within Castle Ward Demesne, Strangford. This ambitious project will put Castle Ward on the map as one of the premier venues for outdoor recreation within Northern Ireland. The trail system of 40kms has been designed by Dafydd Davis to include walking, cycling and horse riding trails as well as an all ability trail. It is hoped that all work will be complete by the end of June 2011.

Blessingbourne Estate

Also in January, the first turf will be turned at Blessingbourne Estate, Fivemiletown, where construction will begin on the development of a trail system. With inclusion of a mountain bike trail, pump track, skills area and features such as jumps and tabletops this privately owned estate looks set to become a ‘must visit’ cycling destination in 2011.

Find out more on the CAAN website.

Taryn