UK title for bike trails
Comrie Croft scoops national accolade
Comrie Croft has been crowned the 2016 UK Trail and Bike Park of the Year.
The accolade, awarded by iBikeRide, is decided by the riding public, with riders suitably impressed by the Strath venue’s natural trails and skills park.
A newcomer to the awards, Comrie Croft beat off tough competition from the country’s major bike parks – including BikePark Wales, Forest of Dean and Innerleithen.
Colin McPhail, of Comrie Croft, told the Herald the team was chuffed to have won.
He said: “It is fantastic to be recognised at this sort of national level, and it means a lot because its based on real rider reviews, rather than a group of folk sat round a table.
“It’s really satisfying as it kind of confirms that the way we’ve been designing and building the trails and the other infrastructure around them has worked and suits the riders.
“I’m really pleased that its happened in the year of our 10th anniversary of digging trails up here, because its been 10 years of really hard graft – and its nice to know folk appreciate it.
“The trails wouldn’t be here without the partnership the Croft has with the Strathearn Mountain Biking Club.
“It’s also great that the trails are helping to play a part in helping to nurture young talent in the area, the junior bike club coaching is really taking off, and there’s folk like Charlie Aldridge and Craig Dobbins doing really well at a national level - they were both part of the first intake of junior SMBC riders.”
“Big credit has to go to Rik Allsop who designed and built at least half of the trails here, the skill and craft he brought to the place has been fundamental to the trails’ popularity and success.”
A spokesperson for iBikeRide said: “Interestingly this year we see four new entrants to the top 10.
“This is likely an indication of how UK riders preferences are changing over time as well as potentially a sign of where investment is occurring and paying off.
“It is also evident that trails and bike parks with close strong local communities are scoring higher in the Index and the campaign.
“In addition, we are seeing new criteria not seen in previous years comments such as mentions of being efficiently run, value for money and being family and kid friendly.
“All these characteristics are clearly what Comrie Croft, despite lacking significant scale, can demonstrate – these are the reasons why they have won.”