Cairngorm Mountain Resort launches family-friendly car-free uplift

OK, we admit, we’re basically running this story because of this:

Who doesn’t want to go and ride on a giant supermarket checkout in the hills? We are INSPIRED. Can you turn your bike upside down and change a tyre on the move before you get to the end? Can you ride downhill on it at the speed required to be cycling on the spot? Could it be used to set some sort of mass turbo trainer Guinness World Record? Is it the opportunity for the biggest Generation Game ever? The answer is of course ‘probably, yes, let’s go and find out’.

But first, we had to have words with Amanda. Photoshop was needed. Please post your efforts below.

In the event that you’re taking this as the real and actual opportunity that it presents for you to ride bikes with your kids without terror or moaning, then here’s that proper details that you need:

Cairngorm Mountain (Scotland) Limited (CMSL) has launched a new gravity-style mountain bike park for families and children as part of its exciting summer offering.

Spanning over 3km across nine flow trails – graded as green, blue, and red – the new bike park is suitable for young children through to adults. The green trails offer beginners and younger children a great introduction to gravity-style mountain biking. Intermediate riders can enjoy the blue trails while the red trails are ideal for experienced thrill-seeking mountain bikers. The multiple trail options allow for continued rider progression.

Two 100m conveyor belt uplifts, which have been used for snowsports during winter, will now transport riders to the top of the Lower Zone where they can easily access the green and lower blue trails. Experienced riders can take the purpose-built climb trail to reach the top of the Mid Zone and Upper Trails.

Tickets are now on sale from the Ticket Office, from £7.50 for a children’s half-day ticket and from £16 for an adult. Tickets can also be purchased at www.cairngormmountain.co.uk/mountain-biking

Visitors can bring their own bikes or hire from the brand new range of Commencal bikes, with a number of options available, from small balance bikes for little ones to adult sizes and electric bikes, along with helmets and pads. Secure storage is available on the new Aviemore Adventurer bus which runs a regular service from Aviemore to Cairngorm Mountain Resort.

The new bike park is part of the 25-year Cairngorm Masterplan to create a year-round resort. The new and exciting summer offering also includes mountain tubing, guided walks to Cairn Gorm summit and around the Northern Corries, as well as the viewing terrace expansion for al fresco dining and drinking.

Susan Smith, CEO of CMSL, said: “We are thrilled to be launching the family-friendly mountain bike park as part of our new and exciting range of summer activities. By repurposing the conveyor uplifts and existing infrastructure, visitors can enjoy the natural mountain environment in every season.”

Owned by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and operated by the Cairngorm Mountain team, the resort is one of Scotland’s iconic locations and the railway makes the mountain environment accessible not only for snowsports enthusiasts, but also for visitors of all ages and abilities in every season of the year. With environmental rangers who oversee the protection of the site and can offer insights into its unique nature, visitors can learn about the Cairngorms and Scotland’s mountain environment.

To find out more information, please visit: www.cairngormmountain.co.uk/mountain-biking

While you’re here…

Hannah Dobson

Managing Editor

I came to Singletrack having decided there must be more to life than meetings. I like all bikes, but especially unusual ones. More than bikes, I like what bikes do. I think that they link people and places; that cycling creates a connection between us and our environment; bikes create communities; deliver freedom; bring joy; and improve fitness. They're environmentally friendly and create friendly environments. I try to write about all these things in the hope that others might discover the joy of bikes too.

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