New trail unveiled
Anew mountainbike trail, the Widdershins Trail, officially opens tomorrow with an inaugural ride at 10am. Nelson City Council recently spotted the opportunity to improve the experience for mountainbikers using the popular Involution Trail through the Marsden Valley and Barnicoat Range.
The result is the new Widdershins Trail. It was commissioned by the council, built by Nelmac and had technical input from Nelson Mountain Bike Club (NMTBC).
The trail goes around the hillside, linking the top of Glider Rd with the start of the Involution Trail, reducing the climbing time and increasing the length of flat and downhill trail.
Designed by Nelmac Conservation Ranger and trail-building expert Ian Phillips, the project was completed within budget in less than eight weeks, in spite of the May storm.
The trail’s name refers to the many left-turns of the trail, Widdershins (an old word mainly used in Scotland) meaning to go leftwards or counter-clockwise.
The new trail was a natural step in allowing Involution to reach its full potential.
Council has been encouraged by the volume of cyclists using Involution but also aware that the climb up to the Barnicoat Range was a barrier for some.
After discussions with NMTBC, Council decided to invest in creating a link trail to provide easier access to Involution and to allow more people to use the area. Nelmac’s trail-building know-how helped to identify and carve out a route that will provide a great ride in its own right.
Other mountainbike projects undertaken by Council, Nelmac Conservation and NMTBC include Codgers Bike Park – currently being restored following the May storm – the Emano St/Princess Dr connection (under construction), and the Dun Mountain Trail. This was rebuilt in 2011 and recently awarded Great Ride status as a trail carrying 10,000-plus riders each year.
Widdershins Trail will be officially opened at 10am by councillor Tim Skinner, after which a group from Nayland College will take to the trail for the first official ride. Widdershins is signposted from Glider Rd at the end of Marsden Valley.