Cycling / Mountain biking
‘Bristol could be the best city for mountain biking in the UK’
Each year, thousands of people get on their mountain bikes at Ashton Court, with riders enjoying an estimated 140,000 circuits of the trails here in 2022. According to recent studies, Bristol is among the best cities in the UK for cyclists, and its off-road cycling trails in Ashton Court, Leigh Wood and 50 Acre Wood massively contribute towards this.
However, their condition is now critical and with no public funds in place to help maintain the trails, their future lies in the hands of the charity Ride Bristol who, via their army of volunteers, hope to protect, maintain and grow the trails throughout this year and beyond.
Ride Bristol estimates that it could cost approximately £15,000 a year to maintain the Ashton Court trail to a decent condition. The money to do this comes in the form of fundraisers and donations from individuals and businesses, such as Winterbourne bike shop, Stif, who recently donated roughly £20,000, allowing significant sections of the trail to be renovated and repaired.
is needed now More than ever
Those unfamiliar with the off-road trails may be unaware of their importance to the city and why losing them, according to Ride Bristol, “would be a tragedy”.
Reflecting on why he believes the trails are a vital resource to the city’s cycling community, Ride Bristol trustee Jamie Edwards said: “Bristol’s off-road cycling trails are a huge asset, they’re absolutely irreplaceable.
“They’re free to use, all-weather and open all-year-round. They’re for people to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy the forest, to get some fresh air and exercise. They can be used by all ages and all abilities. There aren’t that many facilities in Bristol that can boast that.
“Spending time in nature and getting moving is so valuable for our minds and bodies – and the ability to do that so close to a city centre is unheard of in the UK. The trails help thousands of people to stay healthy and active – that’s so important.”
Thousands of circuits of the track are completed each year – photo: Ben Walton
Edwards emphasised that losing the trails will hit local families the hardest: “To get your kid on a bike you need somewhere safe to do it. For them to enjoy it and stick with it, it also needs to be fun.
“Bristol’s trails are one of the few places to learn in a car-free and carefree environment; no trails, no next generation of kids on bikes.”
However, it’s not only on a personal level that maintaining the trails will benefit Bristol. Edwards believes it will also help the local economy grow.
Citing the economic success of investment in cycling trails in Nelson, New Zealand, which led directly to $34m a year being spent in the region for the year ending June 2023, Edwards said that “mountain biking is great for tourism”.
“Just imagine how much of a draw a city like Bristol is – you have the trails to ride and also the nightlife, places to stay, tourist attractions, great culture, food and drink. It’s the perfect place for a weekend away.”
Edwards added: “We know from people we’ve spoken to that they live and work in Bristol because of the cycling community.”
Only the Ashton Court and 50 Acre Woods trails are currently undergoing maintenance – photo: Jonathan Bowcott
With the importance of maintaining the trails being obvious, in both a personal and economic sense, how does Ride Bristol intend to improve them?
“We’re really excited about improving the trails in Bristol,” said Edwards. “We have monthly trail maintenance days planned throughout the year – they’re free to attend, open to over-18s and a great chance to meet new people and give back.
“These will focus on Ashton Court and 50 Acre Woods right now, and we’re in talks with Forestry England to expand into Leigh Woods, which is in desperate need of renovation.
“We’re calling on the public and local businesses to support us. We’re looking to raise funds for two big projects in 2024. We will rejuvenate large sections of the trail back to ‘good as new’ by building new features, repairing the surface, and giving Bristol something to really get excited about.”
Beyond volunteering on the monthly trail maintenance days, there are plenty of other opportunities for people to show their support for the trails.
Dig days are one of several ways the public can help support Ride Bristol – photo: Jonathan Bowcott
A dig day is held on the second Saturday of every month, and in terms of helping purely through cycling, there is a women’s mountain bike ride on the first Saturday of every month, and a night ride is set to begin soon on the third Thursday of each month.
Ride Bristol are also planning some events for the summer, which they will release more information about as soon as they are confirmed.
These schemes will not only help secure the future of the trails but are successfully “bringing people together, giving them a community to be part of and working together to protect and build the trails”, said Edwards.
Looking towards the future, Edwards added: “Bristol could really be the best city for off-road cycling and mountain biking in the UK but it’s going to take some work.”
To stay up to date with Ride Bristol, visit www.ridebristol.org or follow their Instagram: @ridebristol
Main photo: Ben Walton
Read next:
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
