Fixing the 'big blank spot' for mountain biking

An organisation is recruiting volunteers to help create more opportunities for people to enjoy mountain biking locally.

OX Trails say Oxfordshire is a 'big blank spot', with riders travelling many hours to find 'proper mountain biking'.

Sam Hollis from the group said: "there is probably a lot of, what we refer to as 'naughty riding', but it's not because people are being disrespectful to landowners... it's just because there is nowhere else to go."

OX Trails is working with the National Trust to create a course at Badbury Clumps near Faringdon and with the Vale of White Horse District Council on a project in South Abingdon.

Mr Hollis said "We're not trying to build trails for people to come to Oxfordshire, we're trying to build trails for people in Oxfordshire

"For a self confessed cycling city Oxfordshire as a county is woefully short of decent places to ride and develop bike skills".

Richard Watson, countryside manager for the National Trust in West Oxfordshire said: "We want people to enjoy the countryside in the way that they want to, which is why we're delighted to work with responsible organisations like OX Trails.

"They work with us to create sustainable off-road cycling trails in less sensitive areas of woodland so that both people and nature can benefit."

OX Trails wants volunteers to help with 'dig days' and vegetation clearing, but also people interested in helping running the association and with fundraising.

Mr Hollis said: "When people think of mountain bikes they tend to think of kids, but the mountain biking community has probably got as many middle aged people as kids.

He said mountain biking is for everyone and he goes with his one-and-a-half year-old daughter: "I'm able to put her on the front of my mountain bike and take her around a green trail"

"My dad started mountain biking at the age of 60 - so it really is for everyone."

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