Trail Talk 🔴 Live!

A positive plug of our recently updated NI trail listings brought a strong rider backlash on Social Media - and a clear picture of how tough things feel on the ground. Riders pointed to long-term closures, storm-hit forests and trail-centre features that now feel dated or neglected, with several centres still dealing with the impact of recent storm damage. So we decided to dig deeper with a follow up feature with insight from local trail communities.

Read our feature and if you ride in Northern Ireland - trail centres, natural trails or volunteer-built spots - we’d like to hear your experience also.

iBikeRide has rolled out five clear categories across the UK MTB Trail Index – Bike Park, Trail Centre, Wild Trail Network, Urban Bike Park and Pump Track – so trails are now ranked alongside similar spots. The same system will power Trail of the Year 2026, with category awards and an overall Top 10, so every rating and review you leave from now on feeds straight into both the live Index and next year’s campaign.

Bemerton Heath has just opened its new asphalt pump track off Western Way in Salisbury, designed and built by On Track. The standout feature quickly becoming On Tracks trademark in their builds is the dual-takeoff jump line, paired with a low-profile loop and a progressive track, giving riders a full progression ladder in one space. The track is also floodlit. 

Beicio Cymru has confirmed the four-round 2026 Welsh MTB XC Series, taking in Llandegla, Dare Valley, Forest of Dean and Llangollen. Further details land early next year, but riders can already lock in the dates.

Something for us mere mortals to indulge in. Gee Atherton is on another level, truly unstoppable.

Trail building has returned after the long post-COVID break, and riders are being invited to help shape what comes next.

Swinley Bike Hub have added a new slalom line and jump zone to The Summit skills area, expanding the bookable progression setup with fresh turns and a compact jump line.