A bid to to add to Perthshire’s mountain bike trails will move up a gear next week.
Strathearn Mountain Biking Club (SMBC) has announced plans to create a regional mountain bike trails centre at Comrie Croft in partnership with the Comrie Croft Bikes.
The £120,000 project, part-funded under the Scottish Rural Development Programme, will result in more varied trails to add to the existing challenging trails.
It is also hoped the centre will attract tens of thousands of extra visitors to the trails, which will be free and available year round.
A public meeting has been called for 7.30pm on Wednesday at Comrie Croft to explain more about the project and get feedback.
SMBC secretary Colin McPhail said: “The project has been awarded 50% funding which leaves us with £60,000 still to find. If anyone is interested, please do come along on the 14th or if unable to attend, email me at colin@comriecroft.com.”
He added: “We are particularly keen to hear from local schools, businesses and organisations who can see the benefit of the project and are keen to lend non-financial support.”
SMBC chairman Kevin Howett said: “While we are keen to see more visitors to the area, we are equally concerned with providing facilities for young people, ladies and beginners.
“SMBC is a relatively new club but already it has a thriving junior section. For instance on the Sunday past the juniors achieved some great results at the SXC Scottish Championships at Drumlanrig, while 13 adult riders had a day out to the trails centre at Laggan.
“The new facilities at the club’s home base, Comrie Croft, will be crucial to build on this.”
Plans include a skills park for beginners, a pump track to help develop riders of all abilities, a blue-graded loop suitable for novice and intermediate riders and an extension to the red-graded trail, which is suitable for intermediate and skilled riders.
Kevin said: “This will provide a well-balanced centre for all levels of mountain biking, in a location which already has the necessary foundations, such as car parking, bike hire and shop, toilets and showers, camping and accommodation.”