The future of a woodland mountain bike dirt jump offering an adrenaline rush for beginners and experts has been secured.
The Van Road Trails Group (VRTG), made up of local biking enthusiasts, has signed a ten-year deal with Forestry Commission Wales to manage the MTB Dirt Jumps and Trails located on Van Rd in Caerphilly.
It marks a remarkable turnaround for the site, which had to be demolished over two years ago as it was operating without FC Wales permission and was deemed unsafe.
VRTG applied to re-build the dirt jump in the Welsh Government woodland at Coed Parc y Van. With the help of Forestry Commission Wales, which manages the woodland, the group gained permission from Caerphilly County Borough Council to build a variety of jumps and loops suitable for beginners, intermediate and advanced riders.
Work is set to start soon at the site on construction of new Dirt Jumps and Trails. Final construction for the Jumps and Trails will take place in the Spring with the site being re-opened to the public in the early Summer.
The site will be open to all, and will offer a range of Jumps and Trails which will be suitable for beginners up to World Champions.
Local World Champion Mountain Biker Manon Carpenter said: “I can’t wait for Van Rd Trails to be rebuilt, I’ve definitely missed them since they’ve been gone.
“I grew up riding the trails and they were one of the first places I really started to develop as a rider, I learnt so much riding them.
“I don’t think I would be as good a rider today without them or competing internationally at World Cups so I’m really looking forward to having the trails back in Caerphilly.”
Steve Aicheler, owner of the local bike shop Castle Bikes and Treasurer of VRTG, said: “It’s been a longer process than we hoped, but we’re all really excited about getting Van Road open again.
“There is so much enthusiasm amongst local riders and it will be great to see them having a proper, safe site where they can enjoy their sport, hopefully it means Caerphilly can produce more World Champions.”
VRTG and FCW would like to remind users to keep away from the site during the felling and construction period. The clearance or the site and construction will necessitate the use of large machinery and it is unsafe for members of the public to be in the area during this period.
For more information, visit the Van Road Trials Facebook page at www.facebook.com/groups/vanrdtrails/
Pictures courtesy of VRTG.
This is wonderful news. The participating youngsters will get fresh air, exercise, coordination skills, adrenalin rush and discipline as well as good fun. Well done to all concerned.