WE already knew it, but now everyone knows Wales' mountain bike trails are among the best in the world. Over the past few years Forestry Commission staff, under the guidance of forest sports development adviser Dafydd Davis, have been working hard developing the woodland trails. Now that work has paid off with Wales' trails being rated as good as those in California, the birthplace of mountain biking. The prestigious placing has been made by the International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA), the world leaders in building sustainable, environmentally-friendly trails for two-wheel enthusiasts. Wales's B grade in IMBA's recently-announced Mountain Bike Development report confirms its trails as the best in Britain, better than Scotland, England, a host of US states and even Hawaii. Handing out its grades, IMBA said, "The phenomenal network of sustainable single-track trails built by the Forestry Commission massively impressed IMBA representatives when they visited in the summer, but the public bridleway and trail network of Wales is also the envy of mountain bikers world-wide." The Coed y Brenin trails attract mountain bikers of all abilities from all parts of Britain - and the Great Britain Olympic team practised on the trails before the Sydney games last year. The soaring popularity of the trails has provided the local economy with a vital boost by bringing in an estimated five million people to the area every year. The National Assembly has recognised the importance of mountain biking to the Welsh economy by providing the Forestry Commission with £400,000 to extend the network of trails to woodlands in other parts of the country. Already, a trail opened in Afan Argoed forest in South Wales has proved an instant hit and promises to emulate Coed y Brenin's success in the north, and work on designing a similar trail in Nant yr Arian, near Aberystwyth, is well-advanced. In addition, the network of trails is being extended to the Forestry Commission's woods in Gwydyr, near Betws-y-Coed, and Cwm Carn, near Newport, in South Wales. "A lot of thought and hard work has gone into building the bike trails in our woodlands and I'm extremely gratified that IMBA agrees with those who travel often great distances to experience our trails - that they're among the best you'll find anywhere in the world," Mr Davis said. "The money provided by the National Assembly shows the important contribution the trails can make to the rural economy and will help to keep Wales out in front when it comes to mountain biking." | 
Article
