Wales’ latest offering to the cycling world will be officially opened on Feburary the 18th at the EU-backed Marsh Tracks in Rhyl.
The Marsh Tracks mountain bike pump track is a 2 km track with attitude that is guaranteed to make people smile. The track’s beautifully sculpted jumps and expansive view over the estuary is truly stunning. The Bike Park is cleverly built so that inexperienced riders can stay with two wheels firmly on the ground but more experienced riders can fly.
The contract for building the mountain bike track was awarded by Denbighshire County Council to Cartwright’s Associates and was funded through the European Regional Development Fund, as administered by the Welsh Government and Visit Wales’ Environment for Growth Sustainable Tourism Project.
Not only is the new track at Marsh Tracks a fantastic facility, it also scores high environmentally through its use of recycled material. The Rhyl Cut was previously a dumping ground. 45,000 tons of material was excavated from the Cut and recycled at Marsh Tracks, under licence from Natural Resources Wales. The Rhyl Cut is now transformed to a community coarse fishing site and walking/cycling area. The Marsh Tracks Bike Park Track was built for less than it would have cost to take the excavated material to landfill.
Minister for the Economy, Science and Transport, Edwina Hart, said:
“This new development forms part of the North Wales Cycling Centre of Excellence, which acts as a hub in the region for the development of sustainable tourism. By re-purposing a previously disused site, Marsh Tracks has improved the environment, given visitors and locals a chance to appreciate and exercise in this improved environment as well as increase tourism contribution to the local economy. Although all forms of cycling – road cycling, BMX, Mountain bike pump track – is the main focus, the new centre also offers opportunities for walking and experiencing local nature and wildlife which means there’s something for everyone. I wish the team every success for the future.”
Cllr. Raymond Bartley, Chairman of Denbighshire County Council said:
“It is so pleasing to see an area, which was not so long ago an old tip site transformed to create such a wonderful asset for local people and visitors to the area. Facilities such as Marsh Tracks are key in creating healthy active communities and also contributing to the tourism economy.”
Gren Kirshaw, Chairman of the Marsh Tracks Board said:
“Marsh Tracks is a true cycling centre of excellence, with a closed circuit track for road cycling and a BMX track and the addition of the new Mountain Bike pump tack. What we are about is trying to get more people on bikes, right from beginners to those on competing at the highest level. There is nothing more satisfying that seeing people progress in ability down at the track. The new track is a great addition to the facilities here.”
Wideopen Mountain Bike Magazine has teamed up with the acclaimed mountain bike film makers Aspect Media to get some of the country’s best riders down to the track for the official opening to provide a taste of what the track has to offer, which will then be open for everyone to enjoy.
Cycling and mountain biking contributes millions to the tourism economy of Wales. The location of Marsh Tracks, easily accessible from the A55, makes it the perfect final blast as part of the high quality mountain biking circuit of north Wales, with Coed Llandegla, Coed y Brenin, Blaenau and Penmachno.
