18 SEPTEMBER 2006 NEWS RELEASE No: 8843

An informal event at Glenbranter on Wednesday, September 20 will mark the opening of a challenging new section of mountain bike track, the first of its kind in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. The media are invited to cover the launch event – see Notes to Editors for details)

The 1km red-graded descent is part of a 6km cycle trail, and is just one element of a £3 million project to upgrade recreational facilities in the Argyll and Queen Elizabeth Forest Parks.

The trail begins by gaining height on a long, tough forest road climb. The steep downhill section of track is designed for experienced mountain bikers and takes a direct line down the forested hillside with lots of berms to help riders carry speed through the corners. One of the testers described it as “a very fast, steep and smooth flowing trail”.

The 5-year access improvement project has built on and upgraded the existing infrastructure, giving cyclists of all ages and abilities more opportunities to enjoy healthy exercise in the forests.

Andy Malcolm, Forestry Commission Scotland’s Project Manager for Cowal & Trossachs said,

“We are very excited to be launching the new cycle track with this event and hope it will help make mountain bikers aware of what the forests have to offer.

“During the project, work has been done on 200km of route improvements, including new cycle paths and links between forest roads that open up fresh routes.

“In the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park new trails include the Doonhill route from Aberfoyle village car park and a choice of three trails from the Milton car park in Lochard Forest.

“Visitors can now benefit from new picnic facilities and environmental work that has opened up views and improved the forest environment.

“We hope everyone from families with small children to hard-core mountain bikers will take their pick of the cycle trails and become regular visitors to the beautiful forests of the National Park.”

To help cyclists, walkers and horse riders, Forestry Commission Scotland has installed 16 new information points at car parks throughout the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park. Each one has details of waymarked routes from that location, including an indication of routes suitable for cycling.

Off-road cycling opportunities in Queen Elizabeth Forest Park include circuits in Achray and Loch Ard Forests. And many sections of the long distance National Cycle Route 7 make good day or half-day rides, for instance beside scenic Loch Lubnaig from Strathyre.

For more information on Forestry Commission Scotland's mountain bike trails, visit www.forestry.gov.uk/mtbscotland. The website www.forestry.gov.uk also has detailed information on cycle routes, car parks, picnic sites, walking and other activities.

NOTES TO EDITOR:

· You are invited to send a photographer to the opening of the Glenbranter downhill cycle trail, at 1pm on Wednesday, September 20. Please report on site to Fraser MacDonald, who can be contacted in advance at the Glenbranter forest office, tel. 01369 860703.
· Cyclists wishing to ride the Glenbranter downhill trail should park in the Lauder car park, which is signed off the A815 two miles south of Strachur. The Glenbranter Cycle Splash route leads uphill on a forest road to the top of the downhill route.
· The Queen Elizabeth Forest Park leaflet provides an introduction to the forests of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs, and is available from David Marshall Lodge visitor centre by Aberfoyle, and from local Tourist Information Centres.
· A series of new site-specific leaflets are being produced and the one covering the area around David Marshall Lodge will be published next month.
· Visitors can also pick up a more extensive leaflet about Woodland Walks in the whole of Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park.
· Forestry Commission Scotland serves as the Scottish Executive's forestry department. It manages 668,000 hectares of national forest land for multiple benefits, including nature conservation, public recreation, timber production, and rural and community development; supports other woodland owners with grants, felling licences, advice and regulation; promotes the benefits of forests and forestry; and advises Ministers on forestry policy. For further information, visit www.forestry.gov.uk/scotland
· Forestry Commission Scotland is the largest provider of outdoor recreation in the country and manages walking trails, horse-riding routes, cycling trails and hosts numerous events in the forest each year.

Media contacts:
· Steve Williams, Forestry Commission Scotland press office, tel. 0131 314 6508.
· Andy Malcolm, Cowal and Trossachs Forest District, tel. 01877 383383.