Trail Extension

The Freeminers trail in The Forest of Dean has recently undergone extension work thanks to the Dean Trail Volunteers and Back on Track.

Alan Grist, Chairman of the DTV said: “Freeminers has had a 2.5km extension built, approx 1.5km by hand and 1km with diggers. This includes two tough climbs, three descents, berms, switchbacks, narrow natural singletrack, timber northshore and jumps.

The work cost the DTV £15,000 in total, with money raised from the 661 Mini DH and MIJ Mini DH Races, Membership fees, map sales and donations.

future plans

As well as an extension to Freeminers, the DTV plan to improve the trail further and include new features: “I have just been awarded £1500 Community Grant which DTV will be using to create Northshore, a Rock Garden, Skinnys Skills Area with a section on Freeminers. I also want to GPS and plan further extensions to Freeminers.” Said Alan.

The Dean Trail Volunteers work tirelessly to improve the trails at the Forest of Dean and work in conjunction with Pedalabikeaway, MIJ Racing and Chris Roberts of Naked Racing: “We have asked Naked Racing (Chris Roberts) to run 2 Mini Gravity Enduros and 4 Mini DH Races to raise much needed funds.” Said Alan.

The DTV also plan to build new downhill tracks as well as improve existing ones, but cannot do so without the further funding and help from volunteers: “We are going to try and finish Cougar Root DH track top to bottom, and hopefully get some maintenance done on existing trails. We are still looking for funding to Build The Swallow, which is a 1km A Line DH track which we would like to build as an all rider friendly track, working closely with Rough Riderz to design it.”

Upcoming Races

The 661 Mini Downhill/Naked Racing will be holding two One Industries Mini Gravity Enduro’s and 4 Mini DH events from Nov 2013 – April 2014 :

• 10th November 2013

• 1st December 2013

• 26th Jan 2014

• 23rd Feb 2014

• 30th March 2014

• 661/DTV Gravity Enduro 30th April 2014

These races help raise much needed funds for new tracks and to improve existing ones. The new sections of Freeminers are now sign posted and open, and the DTV hope to make further improvements in the near future.