9 MARCH 2008

NEWS RELEASE No: 10418

THE LAKE DISTRICT'S FIRST MOUNTAIN BIKE ORIENTEERING COURSE LAUNCHED AT GRIZEDALE FOREST The Lake District’s first ever permanent orienteering courses for mountain bikers will open at the Forestry Commission’s Grizedale Forest at the end of March. The new ‘Trailquest’ courses offer something for keen family mountain bikers as well as the enthusiasts. Riders can test their skills at mountain biking and orienteering at the same time. The trails have a total of 32 control sites located around Grizedale Forest, identified by coloured boards with a letter on. Participants have to find these sites using a map available from Grizedale Visitor Centre. There are six courses available, which are suitable for different levels of ability. The two shorter, easier courses on the forest roads are approximately five miles long and are aimed at families and beginners. The next stage up are two medium rated courses which are a bit longer and take place on a variety of terrain including bridleways, purpose built singletrack trails and forest roads. These can take up to anything from an hour to half a day depending on ability. The two hardest courses are aimed at mountain biking enthusiasts. They are up to 30 miles long, with a lot of climbs and descents, and can take up to a full day, depending on your level of fitness. The longest route takes in all the controls. The new Trailquest courses use sections of the existing routes through Grizedale Forest, such as The North Face Trail, launched in 2006. This includes 9 sections of purpose built singletrack trails, which are only wide enough for one mountain biker at a time. Trails that include singletrack are particularly popular with mountain bikers. The courses have been designed by Henry Syska and Mike Hayward, who are Trailquest competitors and Trail Cyclist Association committee members. The Trail Cyclists Association is the National Governing Body for Mountain Bike Orienteering in the UK. Henry commented: “I live locally to Grizedale Forest and spend a lot of time here mountain biking. The terrain is ideal. I enjoy competing in mountain biking orienteering events across the UK and thought it would be good to build some courses here at Grizedale. It is a great chance to test your endurance whilst navigating at the same time, so making it more interesting.” The official Trailquest map can be bought from the Grizedale Visitor Centre for £1. Katie Jarvis from the Forestry Commission said: “Increasing numbers of people enjoy mountain biking and orienteering. The Trailquest courses create more of a challenge for mountain bikers and it can get quite competitive. People can develop their skills or simply go out and have fun. “About a quarter of the people who visit the Forest go cycling and this will provide an exciting new activity using some of the excellent trails on offer at Grizedale.” Grizedale Forest is close to Hawkshead and Lake Windermere. For further information about cycling in Grizedale Forest visit www.forestry.gov.uk/northwestengland, Bikes can be hired in the Forest from Grizedale Mountain Bikes. For further details visit www.grizedalemountainbike.co.uk. ENDS Notes to Editors: 1. IMAGES. Images attached of the North Face Mountain Bike Trail at Grizedale. Higher resolution versions are available by calling 015394-42436. 2. The Forestry Commission is responsible for the management of the nation’s woodlands and advises and supports private landowners through various grant schemes. North West England Forest District sustainably manages 17000 hectares of woodland in Cumbria, Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire. These woods provide recreation and access opportunities for the public, particularly at Delamere, Grizedale and Whinlatter Forest Parks, are important habitats for wildlife and help support the local economy. Further information about the Forestry Commission can be found at www.forestry.gov.uk/northwestengland 3. Grizedale Mountain Bikes operate within Grizedale Forest Park, hiring mountain Bikes to the general public who wish to cycle in the Forest. MEDIA CONTACTS: Mark Birchall on 01229 862020 or 01229 860010 or Sue Gardiner on 01229-862002.