There’s trouble in the (Surrey) Hills. Last week a team of contractors, hired by one of the landowners, destroyed several trails. They were some of the area’s most popular riding destinations – but they were also illegally built on private land. So, no more Milestone Hips, Evian, or Area 51 – a mini park of jump lines, berms and drops. All gone.
Are those eco-nails in that live tree?
There is some anguish in the local mountain biking community as a result. Some of it is a little misguided: how frustrating to have to accept that hours of fun on a mountain bike isn’t the landowner’s first priority when it comes to land management! How galling to realise that 150mm of travel and a cheese straw account at the village shop doesn’t mean you can ride where you like on private land! And what a pity these trails are gone (seeing as they were so close to the car park).