This is great news, and a bigger commitment to trails than any other brand has made to date, but – we have done the math.

Shimano are planning to spend that $10m over 10 years, and it’s to be spent globally. If you do the calculations on how that might be distributed, either based on the UK’s share of the IMF’s 2024 global GDP forecasts, or based on Shimano’s predicted bicycle component sales per region in 2024, looking at Europe’s share of that and how that might by spilt based on the UK’s share of the IMF’s 2024 GDP forecasts for Europe, and then convert to UK£, you end up with a figure of somewhere between £25-65k a year for the UK.

Even if you then assume that, as we’re a mountain biking nation we might be one of the “select areas” in Europe, and therefore in the UK, we may get a bigger share than our GDP would imply, the amount isn’t likely to change by an order of magnitude – we’re looking at maybe £100k a year max? (which would be over an eighth of what Shimano are spending globally).

So a significant amount of money, but not what you might have taken away from the headlines.

Please don’t think trail advocacy groups and your local trail association are flush with cash. We need your help desperately – please help the UK MTB Trail Alliance to protect your trails →

https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-us-to-protect-your-trails

Here’s the Singletrack article about it (from me!):

Is NRW About To Close Coed Y Brenin?

Hey @ditch_jockey

The UK MTB Trail Alliance recognise the transformative effect Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland (DMBinS) has had on mountain biking in Scotland over the last 14 years, and it’s an inspiration for the rest of the UK as to what can be achieved.

They definitely have a seat round the table – we’re in close contact with Graeme McLean and the rest of the DMBinS team, exchanging notes on all sorts of subjects. The UK MTB Trail Alliance aims to work collaboratively with all of the organisations in the sector who share similar or complementary aims. As further proof of that, we’ve been working in partnership with Welsh Cycling on the Developing Mountain Biking in Wales project, which aims to kickstart a DMBinS for Wales.

We aim to represent all of the UK’s trail associations, informal trail groups and bike parks, whichever of the UK’s four nations they happen to be in. Both our member base, and the composition of our board of trustees, reflect that, with members distributed fairly much as you would expect across the four nations (we even have member groups in the Isle of Man and Guernsey!), and trustees from all four nations. Looking at Scotland specifically, we have over twenty trail associations, informal trail groups and bike parks on board, and two of our eight trustees are from Scottish trail groups. So I feel confident that we represent Scottish trail associations, informal trail groups and bike parks as well as we represent English, Welsh or Northern Irish ones.

Hopefully that allays your concerns a little, but let me know if you have any more concerns or questions!

cheers

Robin
Founder & Chair
UK MTB Trail Alliance

Pretty sure it’s still Andy Coggins. What are you after him for?

Great article Hannah – awesome that as a result National Highways have now said they’ll meet with Flyup 417 tomorrow after weeks of radio silence. I chatted to Dave @ Flyup 417 this afternoon and it’s truly horrific how they’re being treated by National Highways.

Would be great to get an update tomorrow once we know the outcome of the meeting?

The guys at Wyllie are asking everyone – whether you’ve ridden their trails, want to ride their trails in the future or just if you’re a nice person – to sign this petition, and then share it with all of your mates and ask them to do the same.

They need to get to 5,000 signatures in the next week, so they can show the people behind the project, and the local council who’ll be making the final decision about whether the project goes ahead, how much people care about losing access to the trails.

So, please, start signing and sharing!

@snotrag Yup, there are two vacancies, only two people that made it through the selection procedure to be put in front of members, and members have two votes.

So, yup, I’m in by default (assuming I get at least 1 vote), but you don’t need to use both of your votes – what I’m suggesting above is that you just vote for me, Robin Grant, and not the other Robin, in order that the results show just how much mountain bikers want their voices heard.

Here’s my pitch, if you’re interested:

Members of Cycling UK – Mountain biking needs you!
Frustrated that the big national cycling bodies sometimes forget mountain biking exists? Would it be better if they properly represented our interests with national and local governments, other public sector bodies and amongst other user groups? How about if they ensured mountain biking got its fair share of investment? Well, you can help change things! I’ve been nominated in this year’s Cycling UK Trustee elections. If elected, I’ll be on the board that governs Cycling UK, fighting to make sure mountain biking is properly represented.

If you or any of your group are Cycling UK members, I would really appreciate yours and their votes. This year there are only two candidates and, weirdly enough, we’re both called Robin, so please make sure you/they vote for Robin Grant and NOT the other one – it’s important the results show just how much mountain bikers want their voices heard. Voting closes at the end of October, so if you can, please vote soon! Cycling UK members can find details of how to vote online or by post here:
https://www.cyclinguk.org/sites/default/files/document/2023/09/trustee_elections_ballot_paper_2023.pdf

@ratherbeintobago – Just email haveyoursay@cyclinguk.org, ideally letting them know your cycling UK membership no., but probably OK if you don’t have it, and they should be able to provide you with your two-part code to vote online.

@snotrag – How do the Connectors handle the mud compared to the Resolutes?

@dantsw13 How big is the boot on your Ioniq5? With the rear seats down, can you easily fit an MTB intside with the wheels on?

Cool – thank you @a11y

Does anyone have the LWB Doublecab? If so, how many bikes (modern 29ers) could you fit in with wheels on?

I always expected I’d have to remove front wheels to get multiple bikes in.

@a11y Can you not fit multiple bikes in WITHOUT taking their front wheels off?

I’m considering getting a LWB Doublecab and was hoping to fit 3 pretty long enduro bikes in, wheels on – with their back wheels up against the bulkhead secured in a BikeStow and their font wheel/bars at the rear door end, angled at 45° so they’d fit?

A bit like how it’s shown in the left-hand image below (but with 3 bikes rather than 4):

From your experience would that work do you think?

@tor5 – would love to come along on one of those Tuesday/Saturday rides if they’re still running? Any chance you could let me know the details?

I ran 29 x 3 Surly Dirt Wizards in my 29/27.5+ Boost Pikes.

I don’t suppose you have a photo of how much clearance you had do you?[/quote]

I don’t, but if I have time tomorrow I’ll chuck a DW tyre on a wheel and take one. [/quote]

cooie – would really love to see that photo! Or just to know how much clearance there was? And to know what internal width rims you’re running the dirt wizards on for reference…