Downhill track opens Saturaday 10 May (8/5/08)

Nevis Range, Fort William, once again opens its now internationally renowned downhill track to downhill mountain bikers for the 2008 summer season. With extended opening times and 4 downhill events planned for this season, this looks set to be the most exciting year yet!

From Saturday 10 May, until mid September, the track will be open to riders who will be able to test their skills, strength, and stamina, on the course where the 2007 UCI Mountain Bike and Trials World Championships took place. And non-riders will be able to watch the action from the gondola, and from the balcony of the Snowgoose restaurant & bar at the gondola stop station. This year, the track will have extended opening hours, and will be open from 10.15am to 4pm each day.

During the summer of 2008, the Nevis Range downhill track will host 4 downhill events – a Scottish Downhill Association race (17-18 May), the 08 Mountain Bike World Cup (6-8 June), National Series Downhill (5-6 July), and the new and totally unique Fort William Downhill Endurance, organised by No Fuss Events (7 Sep).

The Nevis Range downhill track, Britain’s only mountain bike facility with mechanical uplift, is steep and fierce in places as it races down the slopes of Aonach Mor, the 8th highest mountain in the UK. Recommended only for skilled riders, Europe's top riders descend the course in around 4 minutes, with no rest or mercy for a drop in concentration. A succession of big jumps and bumps, berms, drop-offs, rock slabs and technical natural sections provide plenty of challenges for the riders, all the way from the top gondola station (at 655m) to the magnificent finish section just above the Nevis Range car park.

“We’re expecting our busiest season yet”, said Marian Austin, Managing Director of Nevis Range. “Last year we welcomed over 4,500 adrenaline-seekers to our downhill mountain bike tracks and we’re expecting that this year will top that. And many more keen mountain bikers come to use the ‘Witch’s Trails’ cross country course and easier routes in the forest, as well as try out the Skills Loops.

Off Beat Bikes will be on site on Saturday 10 May, and throughout the summer, with a fleet of 10 downhill bikes for hire, including the 08 KONA STINKY and the 08 DEMO SEVEN, as well as the usual bikes, helmets and body armour.

The track is open daily from 10.15 to 4pm, weather permitting. Tickets costs are £21 for an adult day pass which covers unlimited gondola trips between these extended hours, and as many downhill trips as you dare!