THE flag was raised at Wales’ latest purpose-built mountain biking centre where a world champion rider has already taken on a peregrine falcon in a race.
Antur Stiniog, in a transformed slate quarry at Blaenau Ffestiniog, is preparing to host a more conventional mountain biking event tomorrow – the British Downhill Series.
It is the only purpose-built mountain biking centre in Wales with a full uplift service.
Today the centre was officially declared open for business as riders and fans headed for the North Wales slate quarrying town to get a sneak preview of the 1.3km double black run – which drops a hair-raising one-in-five.
Tomorrow 350 riders, including three world champions, will start their hunt for this year’s title, which is the pinnacle of the sport in Britain.
The official opening of Antur Stiniog was followed by the chance by riders to try out other runs at the course – which is part of the Llechwedd Slate Caverns complex – and a visit to the newly-opened shop.
Edwina Hart, Minister for the Economy, Science and Transport, said: “I had the pleasure of visiting Llechwedd Slate Caverns and the mountain biking centre recently.
“It was fascinating to see how the site has evolved to become part of the adventure tourism offering of North Wales while also keeping a strong hold of its heritage. The centre is developing to be an iconic attraction for Wales, and is contributing to the aim of making north Wales as an outdoor activity centre of excellence.
“I wish the team well with hosting the British Downhill Series and every success for the coming season.”
Antur Stiniog is part of The One Big Adventure, a £4 million project to create top class outdoor activity opportunities at four Centres of Excellence in the Meirionnydd area of southern Snowdonia – the other three are the Coed y Brenin Forest Park, Prysor Angling at Trawsfynydd and the Glanllyn Centre, near Bala.
The Snowdonia Centre of Excellence development was funded via the Sustainable Tourism Project led by Visit Wales, the tourism department within Welsh Government and supported through the European Regional Development Fund. The Outdoor Tourism project is part funded by the Ireland-Wales Interreg IVA Programme 2007-2013.
A not-for profit social enterprise, Antur Stiniog has already proved a huge hit with the downhill biking fraternity.
Over 12,000 bikers have descended its four trails in the 18 months since it opened, Among them are former world downhill champions Gee, Dan and Rachel Atherton.
Gee has even raced a peregrine falcon down its precipitous slopes for a BBC film – he lost but gave the bird a run for its money.
Mountain biking is one of the UK’s fastest growing sports but downhill mountain biking is something else again, the extreme version of the sport where riders plummet down near vertical, rocky, often tree-lined courses.
Work began just under two years ago on the new facility, which has created 15 jobs, and is being led by former Welsh and English downhill champion Adrian Bradley.
The trail centre and newly opened town-centre shop are at the forefront of a wider programme, being run by community group Antur Stiniog Cyf, to regenerate the slate quarrying town into the perfect location as a base for visitors to the region which is world famous for its outdoor activities and sports.
Ceri Cunnington, General Manager of Antur Stiniog Cyf, said: “The town is undergoing a major regeneration and is becoming a year-round destination for adventure seekers.
“The British Downhill Series race will show many people from outside North Wales just what’s on offer and what we’ve got in the pipeline,” added Ceri.
His enthusiasm was echoed by Councillor John Wynn Jones, Gwynedd Council’s Cabinet member with responsibility for the economy and community. He said: “Work has been carried out rapidly on the new facility and is a great example of showing how people can come together with an excellent idea and put it into practice to the benefit of all.
“I am delighted to see that the funding from so many quarters has been put to place to create new jobs and help kick-start the rejuvenation of this area. Antur Stiniog puts Blaenau Ffestiniog firmly on the map for adventure seekers of all ages.
“Tourism is the life-blood of Gwynedd’s economy and we constantly need year-round all-weather new attractions to ensure visitors return again and again.”
The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), which owns the nearby Trawsfynydd nuclear power station, has given around £500,000 of funding to Antur Stiniog as part of its programme to ensure a positive legacy for the community once the site is closed.
Jonathan Jenkin, NDA Stakeholder Relations Manager, said: “Today is about so much more than mountain bike trails. There’s real momentum around all the projects being run by Antur Stiniog Cyf and they’ve already made a huge positive impact on the community.”
Riders are taken up to the head of the course by minibus with a trailer for their bikes before they set off down one of the four current trails, blue for beginners, red for intermediate riders and the two black runs – slippery, unforgiving, rock-strewn paths.
There is also a second blue run under construction as well as a skills track with a range of jumps, drops, tabletops and berms, banked curves.
Antur Stiniog was founded in 2007 with the support of 2000 local people to develop the potential of the outdoor sector in the Ffestiniog area in a sustainable and innovative way for the benefit of the local residents and economy. It has received funding from Magnox Social Economic Fund, Cyfenter, and Cartrefi Cymunedol Gwynedd, plus the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government.
Gwynedd has seen a massive growth in numbers employed in tourism, with 15% of the population working in the industry. Across North Wales tourism brings in £1.8bn of income and supports more than 37,000 jobs.
Business leaders also predict a further 3,000 jobs in the coming years as the region remains a must-visit destination for both UK and overseas visitors with growth markets including cruising, outdoor activities, heritage and food tourism.
Antur Stiniog is open with a full uplift service from Thursday to Sunday every week and facilities include bike hire and tuition as well as a café/restaurant and shower facilities. For more information go to www.anturstiniog.com/
To see world champion Gee Atherton’s duel with a peregrine falcon at Antur Stiniog go to http://www.redbull.com/uk/en/bike/stories/1331595758334/gee-atherton-man-vs-nature-bbc-earth-film
