As part of the four-year funding agreement under the Rural Development Programme for England, the project signed up to certain targets that needed to be met by the end of 2013, as a means of ensuring best value for public money. By the end of March this year, we had surpassed those expectations, and look set to continue the trend for the next few months. It is easy to work out how far has been cycled overall by multiplying the number of rides by the distance of the trail. Even at an average of 5km per ride this equates to 1.5M miles ridden, the equivalent of riding 60 times around the world!

Its central location between Tavistock and Gunnislake means the adventure centre is a perfect outdoor activity hub for locals and holidaymakers visiting from all over Devon and Cornwall. The awe-inspiring venue is in the upper reaches of the heavily wooded Tamar Valley. As well as on site activities including Canoe Tamar and Treesurfers, the adventure centre is also the access point for over 25km of walking and mountain biking trails through forests and the Tamar Valley Mining Heritage Project area, which is part of the Cornish and West Devon Mining World Heritage Site.

Through the 1 South West Protected Landscapes Community Hubs programme RDPE investment has helped to refurbish the pre-existing buildings which now form theTrails Centre, under the Community Cycle Hubs element of the project. The centre provides café, interpretation and welfare facilities and includes a purpose built bike hire facility with small cycle parts retail area and bike wash facility. The centre is being run by Dartmoor Outdoors Ltd who operate a range of outdoor activities and courses including mountain-biking, canoeing, archery and high level ropes course from the centre.

Visit the Tamar Trail Centre website.

Information is provided on site although the contractor is working to ensure that disruption to people enjoying the area should be minimal. Please observe all safety signage and refrain from cycling on the newly laid surface to allow it to settle and bed in, which will make for a much more resilient and longer-lasting surface.

From charitable to competitive, sportive to downhill, 4XC to Sky Ride, you’ll find loads of events on our Events Calendar. Here is just a selection to whet your appetite:

2XC Youth Mountain Bike Series takes places in Newton Abbot between May and July, encouraging young people to take up mountain biking.

The Back to Roots Race Weekend, on 8th & 9th June at Haldon Forest Park near Exeter, harks back to the old days with a 3-in-1 event that seeks the South West’s ultimate rider, and sets a mini downhill challenge. Organised by Exeter University’s Community Action, the event will be raising fund for Summer Adventures, a residential course for young carers in Exeter & Teignbridge.

Bristol Bikefest

Bristol Bike Fest is back on the 8th June at Ashton Court.

Gawton Gravity Hub Summer Jam, on 15th & 16th June at Tavi Woodlands in the Tamar Valley, will see a mix of competitions & sillyness, demo bikes and trade stalls, followed by the club champs on Sunday. Entry is free, Saturday night camping is available, with evening activities.

Bike Bath is taking place on 22nd & 23rd June in and around the city, with a choice of rides to join in with.

Or, if you don’t fancy hopping on your bike…

An Evening with LEJOGLE World Record Holder and Taunton-Born Cyclist ‘Ben Rockett’, on 1st June at Somerset County Cricket Club, will see the current world record holder for cycling from Lands End – John ‘O’ Groats – Lands End and world 24hr Time Trial competitor guest speaking at this charity event. Fundraising for two fantastic charities, Children’s Hospice South West and Roundabout, there will be a raffle, an auction and other fund raising activities. Tickets are £20 per person and include a two course meal. Tickets available from Somerset County Sports (01823 337597), Dan Brice (07725 485434 or info@discovermoor.co.uk), or Richard Brice – 07870 583123.

During construction Chris Jones of Merici Sports has been the consultant helping us to make the main trail accessible to off-road adapted trikes. With his input we’ve made small adjustments to the design that take away none of the fun for those on two wheels, but open up possibilities for those on three wheels. You can see a video of Chris riding the Cribbar section of the Bodmin Beast trail before it was opened.

An official opening was held on Wednesday 8th May to celebrate the completion of the trail and improvements to facilities at Cardinham Woods. You can read the press release here.

At the Lanhydrock Cycle Hub improvement works in the main car park are almost complete and a building contractor has now been appointed for the rest of the landscaping and café/cycle hire build.

Vegetation clearance of the trail corridor was completed at the end of March to avoid disturbance to wildlife. The trail build will start in the Summer with the trails opening at Christmas.

To keep up to date with the latest developments check out the Lanhydrock Cycle Hub Facebook page. [link]

On 8th May Malcolm Bell, Head of Visit Cornwall, cut a ribbon to officially open the new cycle trails and improved facilities at Cardinham Woods.

L-R: David Williamson, Head of Recreation, Forestry Commission; Malcolm Bell, Head of Visit Cornwall; Darren Mabbot, Managing Director, Silverfish UK

Malcolm said: “This innovative Forestry Commission led development puts Cornwall on the map for adventurous cycling and delivers year-round tourism benefits away from the coast, whilst producing timber and a healthy environment from its woods”. Cycle counters have recorded over 4,000 rides, equivalent to 30,000 miles cycled on the Bodmin Beast trail in the past 2 months. Investment in the facilities was made by the Rural Development Programme for England through the 1 South West Partnership www.1sw.org.uk, developing the South West for high quality cycling adventures.

The ink is just drying on an exciting sponsorship deal with Silverfish UK, securing funds for the maintenance of the trails. Based in Saltash, Silverfish UK import an extensive range of the finest bikes, components and accessories from around the world, and have been since 1999.

Pete Drew, Marketing Manager of Silverfish UK, said “We’re very happy to see purpose-built off-road trails of this quality being constructed on our doorstep in Cornwall and are delighted to be able to support a development of this nature. Having accessible trails available in the area is an amazing asset and we hope our involvement will ensure they remain for visitors for many years to come.”

The new trails deliver health and wellbeing, economic growth and a positive focus for residents and visitors alike. At 12km, climbing and descending the valley sides, the main trail requires a good level of fitness and skill, and should not be attempted by inexperienced off-road cyclists. A wide mix of people have been enjoying the trail, from dads with their older children, a couple of gentlemen of 70+ years and keen female riders. The whole family can enjoy a full day out at Cardinham Woods for a small parking fee, all visitors are able to enjoy the walking trails and improved car park, toilets, play area and picnic area.

In addition, Woods Café provides a delightful welcome with local produce and home made food throughout the year. David & Lara Spurrell have built up an excellent reputation since taking over the business in November 2009. Coupled with the recent investment in facilities, the result has been their busiest trading period ever in the first part of 2013, demonstrating how a combination of quality products can bring true year-round benefits to the Cornish economy.

Lara said “The February half term and Easter breaks have been phenomenally busy, and Easter broke our takings record on three consecutive days! It’s been hard work to build up the business, but it is paying off and now we are seeing more visitors than ever enjoying these beautiful woods and coming to our café. The cycle trails have also broadened the range of people who step through our doors”.

1 South West is also involved with the cycle trail development at the National Trust’s Lanhydrock House, due to be completed in early 2014. Alongside improved visitor facilities and cycle hire, Lanhydrock will offer cycle trails suitable for families and novice cyclists, complimenting the more advanced trails at nearby Cardinham Woods.

TABS (The Association of Bikeability schemes) issued a joint letter to the Telegraph, published on 24 April, calling for the inclusion of cycle training in the national curriculum, alongside swimming.

The open letter was timed to coincide with the publication of The All Party Parliamentary Group’s “Get Britain Cycling” report as well as the Department for Education’s current review of the National Curriculum

Poppy Brett, Director of Life Cycle UK says, “Life Cycle fully supports the idea of including cycle training in the national curriculum. Bikeability teaches children really valuable road safety skills and equips them to cycle safely on road. With less and less children exercising regularly and levels of obesity rising, including cycle training in the national curriculum could be a really important move in helping to get more children active”

Bikeability is the national standard cycle training, that is delivered in primary schools across the Country. It is currently optional which means that many children miss out on this valuable training.

Read the letter to the Telegraph.

We tend to stay focused main on mountain biking here at 1SW but check out this edit from the world of BMX. Some unreal skills, pushing the boundaries of whats possible on a bike. Incredible stuff!

Although Chris Revill rightfully pointed out yesterday that dog owners should be careful when walking their dogs near the cycling trails – We simply couldn’t resist putting up another video of Amber The Downhill Dog!

Another incredible video!

Why not check out the Trail of the day – endorsed by the guys at Wide Open Mag!

Click Here – http://map.1sw.org.uk/map/21/gert-lush/

Although Chris Revill rightfully pointed out yesterday that dog owners should be careful when walking their dogs near the cycling trails – We simply couldn’t resist putting up another video of Amber The Downhill Dog!

Another incredible video!

Why not check out the Trail of the day – endorsed by the guys at Wide Open Mag!

Click Here – Gert Lush