Working with Bespoke Bikes and the Stornoway Trust there is a group of mountain bikers who are helping to maintain and improve the trails in the Castle Grounds. They decided the name they would like is the Trail Trolls.
The Outdoor Team have been working with a group of young people on Saturday mornings with Gavin Earon From the Hebridean Cycling Club, to improve their riding skills. they have been working on the Go Mountain biking awards. The long term aim is to help the Hebridean Cycling Club to develop its junior section. The young people have been away as part of the club to race in the Scottish Mountain Bike series.
On a chilly November Saturday morning the ‘Trolls’ gathered at The Hub for coffee and a very welcome bacon roll before heading out into the Castle Grounds to work on the trail. The Stornoway Trust had kindly delivered a few tons track stone to the top of the trail and with the help of barrows, shovels and a mini digger it was moved down to where it was needed.
The Trolls decided there was an opportunity to not just repair the trail but to make it a bit more ‘bike friendly’. The steps were cleared and then the edge was filled to make them easy to walk down but also to create a ridable line.
There was also the chance to make some bumps for the riders but being careful to ensure the path was still a good path of walkers. This created a good talking point with the young people on multiple users of the same place and looking after your own environment.
Once it was completed there was an opportunity to try it out:
Thanks to Ali Glover from the Hub for organising the morning and the Trolls for a lot of hard work.
