MOUNTAIN bikers from around the country will be heading to an Okehampton hotspot for the sport for an event this weekend. Elbry Sandland, a professional mountain biker and industry figure, is organising a tour of national riding spots, and has made Abbeyford Woods in Okehampton the second stop. The action gets underway in the woods at 11am this Sunday, March 26. For the last two years, Okefreeriders have been developing the woods for mountain bikers and the group say this event demonstrates how far they have come. The group recently received a grant from Awards For All, which is helping the development of the club. As well as building the more extreme trails up at Abbeyford Woods, the group has also decided to put some of the money towards building a family cycle trail, to help encourage children, young people and families to get into the sport. Elbry Sandland is a professional rider sponsored by a number of bike companies, including Balfa UK. Elbry has been working hard, promoting extreme mountain biking around the UK, and has also agreed to ride in some of northshore demos ? northshore is a term for raised, wooden cycle trails ? later in the year, one of which will take place as part of Okehampton Sportsweek, organised by OCRA. With the support of the Forestry Commission, and following five months? hard work, a northshore trail was created at Goldburnhill Covet in Abbeyford Woods last year. Okefreeriders have just started work on the new section, which will have two lines down the hillside, one fast and flowing, the other more technical. The trails are open all the time, and can be ridden by all. For more information visit the group?s website http://www.okefreeriders.co.uk">www.okefreeriders.co.uk
