Name that mountain bike trail
The search is underway for a name for the new mountain bike trails at Ashton Court and Leigh Woods.
The prize for choosing the best name is the chance to ride with Olympic 2012 hopeful and professional mountain biker, Oli Beckingsale, at Ashton Court later this year.
Cleverly designed by Phil Saxena – who was instrumental in the design of the mountain bike course for the Beijing Olympics – and his team at Architrail, the trails will be suitable for families and novice mountain bikers, as well as enticing enough for talented mountain bikers looking for a challenge.
Construction work on the 6.5km of trails at Ashton Court is due to finish later this month, whilst work on the 5.5km of trails at Leigh Woods started in early July and is expected to finish by November.
The work is only possible thanks to investment by the European Rural Development Fund through the 1 South West Cycling Project and a partnership between Bristol’s Cycling City, the Forestry Commission and the National Trust.
Councillor Tim Kent, Bristol’s Executive Member for Transport, said: “The world class design means users of the trails will get an exhilarating experience. Bristol is showing that being a Cycling City does not just mean getting your bike out to commute to work or school. I’m sure the trails will prove a fantastic place for people to get out to and enjoy the great outdoors, and will also make Bristol one of the best mountain biking cities in the UK, drawing visitors from across the country.”
Trail Designer and local resident Phil Saxena added: “We’re putting in lots of features that will make everyone smile, whether new riders, families or accomplished mountain bikers. Rocky drops, boulders, banked corners and more will make it fun for everyone – the faster you ride, the more challenging the trails become.”
With that in mind, the competition to find new names for the trails and for sections of the trails is open to help make Bristol’s mountain biking facilities the envy of all other cities.
Competition entries may name the whole, or part, of one of the trails.
Inspiration may come in the form of a local Bristolian, the flowing feel of the course, something Bristol is famous for or just the sheer joy of riding! Perhaps you would want to consider the flora and fauna helping to be protected because of the project: Ashton Court’s orchid population or the Bristol Whitebeam a tree that only exists in Bristol and grows in Leigh Woods.
Route maps of the new mountain bike trails can be found at www.betterbybike.info/ashton-court-mountain-bike-trails
The deadline for competition entries is 30 September, 2011.
Further details on how to enter can be found at www.betterbybike.info/name-that-trail
