Trail Collective North Wales

Who are TCNW?

We're a Community Interest Company set up by local mountain bikers to sustainably manage the wild mountain bike trails of North Wales.

 

Why Have We Formed?

North Wales’s wild mountain bike trails are amazing, and we want to keep them that way!

 

Our best-known trails are well established, maintained and popular: the signposted trails in the Gwydir Forest (Gwydir Mawr and Gwydir Bach) and those at Penmachno. But the same forests host hand-crafted trails offering something for more experienced riders of all ages. They provide that valuable next step up in the development of technical skills. Maintaining these trails is a win for North Wales as it puts us on the map as a riding destination. We want to dedicate the time and effort to do it properly.

 

What are Wild Trails, and why are they important?

They are trails that have sprung up over time because riders wanted them. Often, they are in places where people can ride from their front door without having to drive. As word has spread, riders are really valuing the challenge and more varied experience they offer.

 

They have been built by riders for riders, deep in the woods. They are not built officially or by an organisation-they have been created by the community of dedicated trail builders, and they are highly valued.

 

And as mountain biking has grown - especially during the Covid lockdowns - the pressure on these trails has grown dramatically. There is a real appetite among riders for wild trails, so it is time for the riding community to step up and take responsibility for them.

 

What do we do?

We promote, maintain, and improve the wild, mountain bike trail network in North Wales.

 

We want our wild trails to be sustainable.

 

Currently, wild trails are not officially managed and there is no organised community engagement with stakeholders and land managers like National Resources Wales.

 

We will be that vital, positive link between the biking community and NRW as well as other landowners and organisations. Not only liaising through discussion and conversation, but we also see ourselves raising funds, maintaining trails, organising dig days, and communicating with mountain bikers local and visitors to the area as well as the broader cycling industry. On top of that, we want to create a cyclical motion of support. We are keen to divert support to local businesses as they support us.

 

What will the funds go towards?

Initially, funds will enable us to put members through formal qualifications. We need to ensure all our trails comply with the standards set by authorities such as NRW, and this includes certification for safe trail building and trail inspection.

 

Beyond this, funding will allow us to provide signage for all of the tracks, ensuring safety for riders and all others enjoying the amazing forests. We will also be able to equip ourselves with the best tools to craft the trails and cover the costs of insurance for organised digging days - there is so much work that goes into the trails behind the scenes, and without that the tracks wouldn't always be in such great riding condition. Keeping the trails in their best condition is an ongoing, year round task which the funding will help us to continue to do.

 

The support through funding will mean a great deal to a great deal of people! TCNW has been set up to ensure the longevity and safety of the trails for all that travel to North Wales to ride them, and locals alike. With this funding we can make sure these trails will bring us all enojyment for a long time to come.