The UK's longest mountain bike trail for beginners is now open

If you’ve ever wanted to try your hand at mountain biking, a new beginners course in Wales has just been crowned the UK’s longest trail. The downhill route at BikePark Wales is called the Kermit trail and runs for 5km.

Located in the foothills of the Brecon Beacons, BikePark Wales has a network of 40 criss-crossing routes for all abilities and includes runs with bermed corners, roller coaster sections, rock slabs and tree-lined runs. New routes are developed and maintained by professional trail builders in the forested hillsides.

‘At 5km long, the Kermit trail offers an awesome introduction to downhill mountain biking in a stunning location’, said Martin Astley, founder and director of BikePark Wales. ‘There's nothing like it anywhere else in the UK, and it's a unique way for beginners and families to enjoy their first taste of this fun sport in a safe and controlled manner’.

The Kermit trail was slated to open in spring but was delayed by several months because of the coronavirus pandemic. ‘It may have been a long time coming, but we're so excited to finally be able to share this amazing new trail with riders’, Astley said.

For those looking for a socially-distanced outdoor adventure, a day out at BikePark Wales could be just the ticket. Just 24 slots are available each day to comply with social distancing guidelines. To battle the coronavirus, Wales has required indoor entertainment venues to close, and some restrictions are expected to be announced later this week in the run up to Christmas. Wales emerged from a strict ‘firebreak’ lockdown in early November, where people were banned from meeting anyone outside of their household and non-essential businesses were closed.

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