 |
|||||||||
 |
To all Mountain bikers, cyclists, Happy New Year. This is the 3rd newsletter to be produced about Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS) and mountain biking in Aberdeenshire, hope you find it of use. Kirkhill You'll be aware that we've done nothing at Kirkhill in recent months despite our plans, which would have seen phase two of cross country bike trail developments complete by now (following on from the fun park construction in December 2004). The reason for this is FCS HQ have been conducting an assessment of all biking centres in Scotland to determine whether there is a need for so much development. This assessment is now complete and Kirkhill has come out very favourably. Anyway we've only lost a years worth of work and hopefully not too much enthusiasm from you guys...? We are in the process of confirming FCS HQ's plans for Kirkhill and can then start reapplying for funding (which due to cancelling the work last year we have now lost). It is unlikely that this work will begin until the summer. As I said last time, we'd like to involve as many users as we can with volunteer trail building (especially construction of the more extreme black sections) and we'll give you plenty of warning when we can start organising this. Pitfichie A contractor has started work on the next section of MTB trail in Pitfichie. This work will improve the access to the Cairn William ridge and the downhill section we completed a couple of years ago. The present up route is very badly eroded (nearly 3 feet deep rut in places) and almost un-ride able. The work will probably take a couple of months to complete and will involve some realignment of the route in places and repairing the rest of the existing route with a mix of imported and as dug material. We will include as many natural rock features as present themselves during the construction process but as it is basically an uphill access route the scope for to many features is limited. The most important job will be to make sure the drainage is right to prevent future damage. Due to this work that section of the route will be closed, including Saturdays (as the contractor will still be working then) until mid March. Scolty Scolty has been growing very rapidly in use by MTBers. This is of some concern to us and a few other user groups who have begun to voice criticism. We have surveyed much of the downhill features constructed on the East face of Scolty to get an idea of what problems we are facing. Some of the more recently built features are close to the edge of what we would consider acceptable in such a woodland so we need to work with some of the builders out there to aid construction of "safer" structures and ensure it doesn't impinge on other users of the woodland environment. There is a dilapidated fence separating FCS land from the landowner of the top part of Scolty hill. This has been taken down in one section despite it looking quite broken down, it is still used to a small extent to enclose stock. It is unacceptable for members of the public to take down fences. In essence Scolty is perfect downhill MTB trail territory with good, well drained soils and a nice "terraced" downhill feel. A project is in its very early stages to rebuild the current walkers path to the summit, I am very keen that alongside this development biking is also thought about - perhaps including the construction of a heavy grade "up" route built for joint use with walkers and MTBers and improvements made to the current downhill area used by bikers, although I feel zoning this area as an "off piste" type biking area would be good in order to retain the open woodland feel as it is now. This project is being taken forward in a community driven partnership and involving FCS and Aberdeenshire council. there is currently no representation from the biking world and this would definitely help to aid the production of a decent facility. Anyone who would be interested in getting involved in this get in touch and I'll let you know what you can do. There will be a public meeting about this in the spring. Kincardine and Buchan Forest Districts The management setup of the Forestry Commission has changed in the North East. Until recently South Aberdeenshire and Aberdeen city forests were managed by Kincardine Forest District from Durris, and North Aberdeenshire was managed by Buchan Forest District from Huntly. Since June there has been a question mark over the continuation of the two separate units. From December 2005 the two districts were merged to be managed from Huntly with a outstation at Durris. Im sure most of you couldn't give a monkeys about this however this means that from now on Kirkhill, Pitfichie and all our other biking sites are managed under one unit which will give us more consistency of management across the area. You should continue to deal with the FCS representative you have been communicating with in the past. Motorbikes There is no access to FCS land by motorised vehicle (unless by FCS permission). This includes Quads and mini-motos which are growing rapidly in usage. If anyone sees these being used on FCS land please let us know as much info as you can (car number plates would be ideal) so we can report to the Police. As you may have seen in the press Grampian Police are having a major crackdown on this behaviour. These vehicles can very easily destroy your MTB trails at great expense. Events We are in the early stages of planning events for 2006. So far we plan to have two events during national bike week (17th - 25th June) at Pitfichie and Kirkhill. These may involve: coaching, free maintenance, demos of bikes, racing etc. We'd also though about night riding at Kirkhill with lights, music, entertainment etc...? If any individuals / clubs would like to contact me to discuss these further and perhaps help with organising, I'd be very keen. We also hope to help out the bike shops by having one or two demo days at Kirkhill for trying out new bikes. Details later in the year. If you know of anyone who would be interested in the above news please send me their email address and I'll include them in the future. If you wish to be removed from this mailing list, again let me know. If you have any comments (positive or negative) about MTBing on FCS land in the North East please get in touch. Dan Cadle - Community Ranger Forestry Commission Scotland - Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire Kirkton of Durris, Banchory, Aberdeenshire, AB31 6BP Tel: 01330 844537 Mob: 07979 022956 |
|
|||||||
|
Fort William
World Cup |
|||||||||
|
 |
|||||||||
|
|
|||||||||
|
Last updated:
|
|||||||||
Disclaimer:
|
|||||||||
Banchory Bikng online |
|||||||||
| 1800Flowers | |||||||||
