Fort William pump bike track holds its opening jam - but remains closed due to insurance issue

Hundreds of bike enthusiasts were given the opportunity to try Fort William Bike Park as it held its grand opening 'jam' on the eve of the town hosting the Mountain Bike Downhill World Championships, although regular use of the track has been postponed due to insurance issues.

 

The opening event on Wednesday August 2 saw riders, including children, adults, and some competitors from the UCI event, pump and jump along the track that is installed beside Lochaber High School.

 

Organisers and councillors were also on hand to run their wheels over the track that was seven years in planning and sits against a stunning mountain backdrop.

 

The free event also saw prizes, music and coaching available, and the park adds another top level facility for the area's bike enthusiasts.

 

Gregor Muir, chairperson of Lochaber Wheeled Sports Society (LWSS), the charity which drove fundraising and manages the track, said: "I can genuinely say there was a tear in my eye. We had a ribbon and the kids rode through it. There was a really nice atmosphere.

 

"It was a fantastic day. It was beyond what we were expecting. Throughout the day there was about 400 to 500 riders, and everybody had a blast.

 

"It just kept going all day. We got to 5pm and thought there is going to be a lull, but there wasn't. After 8pm we had to round them up and tell them to go home so we could start clearing up!"

 

Lochaber Area Committee chairperson Councillor Kate Willis said: “The opening jam was a major success and a great community celebration, with real enthusiasm for the future of the bike track. The facilities are world class, and the children and adults trying out the track for the first time had smiles all round. I would like to thank and congratulate all those involved in making the bike park a reality.

 

“Having some of the professional riders that were to compete at the Downhill Mountain Biking World Championships attend really lifted the event, adding to the excitement and I’m sure will have inspired the participants.”

 

The track cost around £500,000 and was designed and built by pump track specialists Velosolutions after fundraising by LWSS. Highland Council, Sport Scotland, and Highlands and Islands Enterprise, amongst others, helped fund the project.

 

When fully complete its main 265m championship pump track will sit next to a Skate/BMX park and an 85m adaptive pump track.

 

Although the opening event was a great success, enthusiasm was punctured with the announcement that the track would have to remain closed due to insurance quotes that Mr Muir says are 'unsustainably expensive'.

 

"We were going to have to spend the entire year raising money just to pay for the insurance. But it has been a seven-year project - the first meeting was almost seven years to the day of the opening - so it is just another challenge. It will happen.

 

"There has been a lot of positive feedback and people have been sympathetic.

 

"We are pulling out all the stops to get this sorted."

 

At the time of writing no date had been announced for the park to re-open. Organisers hoped to use the temporary closure to erect fencing.

 

 

"attachment_998281" "" "300"] Action in air as young bikers take full advantage of the ups and downs on the track. Photograph: Iain Ferguson, alba.photos

 

"attachment_998278" "" "300"] A banked curve allows sped to be maintained in the turn Photograph: Iain Ferguson, alba.photos

 

"attachment_998296" "" "300"] Fun on the all abilities track which was specially designed to accommodate many types of cycle. Photograph: Iain Ferguson, alba.photos

 

"attachment_998284" "" "209"] A busy track with ken bikers of all ages. Photograph: Iain Ferguson, alba.photo

 

"attachment_998287" "" "300"] Committee members are wowed by young bikers whizzing past Photograph: Iain Ferguson, alba.photo

 

"attachment_998281" "" "300"] Action in air as young bikers take full advantage of the ups and downs on the track. Photogroph: Iain Ferguson, alba.photos

 

"attachment_998290" "" "300"] Highland Councillors with some of the bikes they helped fund. Photograph: Iain Ferguson, alba.photo

 

"attachment_998275" "" "300"] Committee chairperson Gregor Muir is presented with framed logo to mark his work by Norman Clark (right) and Rory Watt. Photograph: Iain Ferguson, alba.photos