I was just about to do a write up of the damage of Storm Bert and how that had affected the UK Trail infrastructure and point people to their local trail association to help in the clear up and repair when an even bigger monster of a Storm Darragh is battering the UK whilst I type.
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Clearly a reflection on my tardiness in getting around to writing the article (it's been a not-so-quiet week) but also an indicator of the increasing pace of extreme climate events and the increasing vulnerability of our beloved trail network.
It's worth reflecting on the lasting impact of previous storms like Arwen to understand the potential consequences for our mountain bike trails. Storm Arwen, which hit the UK on November 26, 2021, caused extensive damage to forests and trails, particularly in Scotland and the North of England. The aftermath of Arwen serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of our trail networks:
- Approximately 4,000 hectares of Scottish forests were affected, with about 1 million m³ of fallen trees.
- In Northumberland's Kielder Forest, the popular Lonesome Pine Mountain Bike Trail was closed for three years due to storm damage (The trail finally reopened on November 26, 2024, after a £167,000 upgrade to improve accessibility and inclusivity).
The long-term closure of the Lonesome Pine Trail highlights the significant time and resources required to recover from severe storm damage.
As Storm Darragh now threatens the UK, many popular bike parks and trail centers have announced closures, including BikePark Wales, Chicksands, and OnePlanet Adventure. Singletrack wrote a good feature on this so check it out.
These preventive measures are crucial for safety but also underscore the ongoing vulnerability of our trail networks to extreme weather events. The increasing frequency and intensity of storms pose a significant challenge to trail maintenance and accessibility.
Robin Grant from the UK MTB Trail Alliance stated.
How Riders Can Help
- Volunteer: Trail associations and groups need support in terms of riders volunteering their time to help with clean-up efforts as well as preventative measures. The iBikeRide MTB event Calendar lists upcoming dig and maintenance days across the UK.
- Donate: Financial donations are crucial to keep trail maintenance groups supplied with the necessary tools and materials.
- Stay Informed: If you're unsure about your local trail group, reach out to organisations like the UK MTB Trail Alliance for guidance.
Remember, our trails are a shared resource, and their maintenance is a shared responsibility. By working together, we can ensure that our trail network remains resilient in the face of increasingly challenging weather conditions.
Update 14th Dec 2024:
A week on and although some trails have opened it's clear there was significant devastating impact, especially in those areas in the red zone like Wales. NRW issued a press release yesterday on the damage advising not to visit their forests and nature reserves until cleared. Penmachno, Smilog, Brechfa, Hafod, Steel City are still shut and in recovery mode, we believe. OnePlanet only just opened back up as did BikePark Wales a couple of days back. Dalby was hit badly and recovering. Worth checking local sites for status and volunteering to help both protect against the impact of storms and the inevitable clean-up (before the next one.. which is a when not if scenario as we know).
Read: 90 times Published: 07/12/2024
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