Exeter Bike Park’s expected reopening has been pushed back again, with builder and rider Ellis Luckett (Chasing Dopamine MTB, Instagram) sharing a detailed update on why the park is still closed and what work is now taking priority.

In September, iBikeRide reported that the park was targeting a 25 October reopening. That date has now passed, and Luckett’s latest updates suggest the project timeline is being shaped by a mix of winter ground conditions, drainage challenges, funding constraints and time available to work on site. You can read the earlier story here: Exeter Bike Park reopening set for 25 October.

In his most recent Instagram reel, Luckett explains that parts of the bike park sit at the bottom of a large hill, and that winter rainfall has highlighted where water collects across the lower lines. He describes how standing water can form between jumps and on run-ins, and why drainage changes are needed before the park is ready for riders.

What we know

• The park remains closed as of December, and there is no confirmed reopening date in the latest updates but a target of no later than April 2026.
• Drainage work is now a key priority, with changes discussed including re-angling jump surfaces so water sheds away and digging drainage channels to capture and redirect runoff.
• Wet ground conditions are making compaction difficult, slowing progress on shaping and finishing.
• Luckett says cost is a major factor, with machinery, materials, fuel, time and insurance adding up, and he has taken on paid work to help fund the build.
• Time available on site is also limited by work and personal commitments.

What we don’t know

• How long the drainage changes will take to complete once ground conditions improve.
• Whether further redesign will be needed after the next period of heavy rainfall.

For riders who have been asking when the bike park will open, the update is a clear reminder of the practical constraints involved in getting a facility ready for public use, especially through a wet winter. The focus, based on the most recent posts, appears to be on making sure key areas can drain and compact properly before opening rather than rushing to meet a date.

If you want the most up to date progress notes, follow Ellis Luckett on Instagram at @chasingdopaminemtb where he has been sharing the build updates and explaining what is holding things up.