Bikers On Top Of the World

Doug Lowery, Executive Director and Steve Cram MBE

Mountain biking is set to take-off in one of the UK’s great untapped wilderness areas with the unveiling of the highest purpose built off-road route in England.

Former athletics world record holder and now television broadcaster, Steve Cram MBE, swapped his spikes for two wheels in Kielder Water and Forest Park to open 17 kilometres of new trails, linking the 2,000 foot summit of Deadwater Fell with Kielder village.

The spectacular project has been undertaken by the Kielder Trail Reavers – a community based independent rider’s group - working with the Forestry Commission and the Kielder Partnership.

Costing £300,000, the trails will not only give bikers a taste of off-road Nirvana, but also form a key part of the “Big Picture” for Kielder Water and Forest Park – a far reaching vision to turn the Upper North Tyne into one of Europe’s top recreational destinations. A major boost to the local economy is predicted from a year-round influx of visitors.

Funding has come from One NorthEast, through the Northumberland Strategic Partnership (£151,000), Defra (£40,000), the Forestry Commission and Northumberland Sport.

Steve Cram, a keen biker and also Chairman of Northumberland Sport, said the bike trails were a great way to explore and keep fit:

“The opening of the trails provides a new sporting attraction for the area and I’m sure it will be immensely popular with both local residents and visitors. This summer we are making a call for action with our Get Active Northumberland campaign. Thirty minutes of activity, three times a week is what we should all be aiming for to feel the benefit in our health. We’ve got the perfect backdrop for getting out and about. Northumberland boasts some stunning scenery and spectacular sporting opportunities and Kielder is a fantastic example of this.”

Alex MacLennan Recreation, Tourism and Communities Manager with the Forestry Commission, added:

“Our aim is a simple one - to create one of the nation’s premier off road venues in Kielder Water and Forest Park for bikers of all abilities. For decades, it has been a sleeping giant – Europe’s biggest man-made forest simply crying out to be explored by riders. Now working with local trailbuilders and our funding partners, we have made a fantastic start by creating a world class riding experience. Because these are all weather trails, that will mean more visitors to the area throughout the year, centred on Kielder village.”

The single track trails have taken 18 months to build and include a 15 kilometre “red route” suitable for bikers of moderate ability, but with a thirst for the great outdoors! It snakes through trees and open moorland to the Deadwater summit, which offers stunning views of the Northumberland fells, southern Scotland, the Solway Firth and the North Sea.

A technically demanding two kilometre detour – rated as a “black route” - has also been built, featuring hair-raising twists and turns, guaranteed to get the pulses racing for those seeking the ultimate challenge.