[Closed] Windhill B1ke Park fire

Nothing official as to if it was arson or an accident with the wood burner yet ?

Oh, apologies - I went by comments on the page, guess I should know by now!

Was wondering about the wood burner. There's mention of being targeted before though.

Bad anyway whatever happened.

That's awful. The start ramp hut had such a cool vibe, really captured the energy of the place.

Bloody shame that.

Also, this might be the first time in history that everyone actually obeys a "trail closed" sign

Bit of a weird one this. It's not close enough to any bad areas for it to be kids - they'd have had to be able to drive, or travel on foot/bike for quite a distance. The thefts they had in the past had some fairly obvious suspects, but it's unlikely to be them again, unless there was some sort of grudge.

Doubt it was the wood burner - Richard would have mentioned that if it were the obvious source of the fire.

JP

It's a big shame, I've only been twice but I really enjoyed it and hope to go back. Hopefully they'll build a new and bigger one for some extra gravity into the start section.

Center Parcs is over the road, and those places attract crime. Mostly theft and a lot are bikes. Possibly they've spotted the bike park and wandered over there. Though break in and try to nick something could understand, but burn the thing down, no.

Really sad to see this as I ride there regularly with friends who live that way. There was always such a good atmosphere round the start ramp with people of all abilities chatting and laughing over a snack or drink, usually had a pro or two joining in the chat most of the time too. Even in terrible weather you'd get riders doing a lop, nip in the hut to warm up by the log fire, do a lap etc.

They have had problems with low-level crime for a while now, cars broken into in the car park (which is away from the trails), tools and machinery stolen and the start hut shop was broken into recently too. But this is another level if it does turn out to be arson. They were lucky not to have the trees go up too, if that had caught hold the whole hillside would have been torched!

https://m.pinkbike.com/news/windhill-bike-park-hit-by-suspected-arson-attack.html

His comments allude to enemies of mtb in the area. Really feel for him and the team. The best thing we can do as a community is to carry on riding at, and in turn, supporting Windhill B1ke Park!

They've got a good idea of who did it but no proof at this stage. I believe it will be open again tomorrow without the ramp.

JP

I just can't fathom why someone would do this, absolute mongos. I've been 3 times in the last 12 months and it's well worth the trip from Leicestershire.

There's a £500 reward for info... wouldn't have to pay me a penny if I knew anything!