Photo: Forestry England
The pump track at the Forest of Dean Cycle Centre is being rebuilt from scratch. Work starts on Monday 16 November and should take four to five weeks, though Forestry England say it may have to stop now and then along the way.
What's changing
The old track is coming out and a new one is going in, with an all-weather asphalt surface. It'll be smoother, it'll hold your speed better, and you'll be able to ride it in far more kinds of weather than the old track.
The layout is new too. The start mound is moving, which leaves more room to wait for your turn and to watch the rest of your group ride.
On Track are building it, paid for by Sport England with National Lottery funding. Forestry England are planning a launch event once it's finished.
While the work's going on
- The pump track is closed and fenced off for the whole job.
- The Cycle Centre stays open, though parts of it may close at times, so check the trail status (opens in a new tab) before you set off.
- The link trail behind the bike hire yard may be closed or diverted at times.
Somewhere else to ride meanwhile
- The Beginner Skills Area, graded green, just over the bridge on the Colliers Trail.
- Old Bob's, the green trail, a little further along from the pump track.
It should be worth the wait: Forestry England counted more than 17,000 runs on the pump track in July alone.
Forestry England: pump track work at the Cycle Centre (opens in a new tab)