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Commonwealth Games mountain bike skills trail is ‘lasting legacy’ for Dundee

Sports minister Shona Robison cutting the ribbon with, left, Cllr Craig Melville - Convenor of the Environment, and Fraser Watt.
Sports minister Shona Robison cutting the ribbon with, left, Cllr Craig Melville - Convenor of the Environment, and Fraser Watt.

It will not be staged for another four months, but the Commonwealth Games has already left its legacy in Dundee in the shape of a mountain bike skills trail at Templeton Woods.

Fittingly, it was local MSP Shona Robison, the minister responsible for overseeing the international celebration of sporting achievement, who was invited to perform the official opening on Saturday.

The Templeton Tangle connects to the city’s Green Circular cycle route and provides riders of all ages and abilities with a range of challenges to develop their biking skills and confidence.

Almost half its £63,500 cost has been met from the Legacy 2014 Active Places Fund, which was set up by the Scottish Government to ensure that the impact of the Glasgow games would be felt across the country long after it was over.

The funding application was backed by many letters and emails of support from local organisations.

One email came from 12-year-old Fraser Watt, who was frustrated because he had to travel long distances to get to a trail facility.

Ms Robison said: “Templeton Tangle is a great addition to Dundee’s sporting facilities.

“The new trail will not only encourage people of all ages to get active, it can help support active tourism and provide a training ground for future talent in the exciting growing sport of mountain biking.

“Having the community involved throughout the project has been an important part of making this another lasting legacy of the Commonwealth Games for Dundee.”

The trail winds its way through an under-used plantation that had suffered extensive storm damage in recent years.

Its challenges include steps and drops, jumps, tight corners, rock and root obstacles and challenging climbs. A sign provides helpful tips and challenges have easier bypasses for the less confident.

It was designed and built by Architrail, which has built Olympic and Commonwealth Games mountain bike facilities in the past.

City council environment convener Craig Melville said: “Templeton Tangle will prove a fantastic place for people to get out to and enjoy the great outdoors.

“This exciting city council facility is a great addition to the range of activities that people are able to take part in at green spaces around Dundee. It is designed to help bikers build up their confidence so that they can tackle tougher challenges.

“Mountain biking is increasing in popularity as it is not just for extreme athletes in remote countryside.

“This trail aims to be fun and challenging for developing riders, families or accomplished mountain bikers, and adds to the range of paths and trails in Templeton and Camperdown.”

Mountain biking will be one of the sports featured in the Commonwealth Games, with events at Cathkin Braes Country Park south of Glasgow.