The vision:

As all keen mountain bikers know Lincolnshire is very flat, so those that ride appreciate the few hills in the area, and one of these is Hamilton Hill situated within Willingham woods which is Forestry commission (FC) land. As a result of regular mountain bike (MTB) activity in this area over the last ten years several unofficial trails have developed. These are great fun to ride, but as the sport has developed so have most rider's ambitions. With more challenging styles of riding being promoted in most MTB magazines, films and internet sites. The need for more challenging MTB trails at Hamilton Hill has become apparent as the evidence of attempts at building more advanced dirt jumps and north shore obstacles by various groups of riders can regularly be found, and well meaning as they might have been, most are constructed without much thought to public safety, environmental impact and rider safety. Associated with this there has been an increase in litter dropping, but the worst crime of all is that for all the effort put in most of the more advanced jumps are poorly constructed rendering them difficult to ride or unsafe or simply just spoiling the flow of the trail.

As a result of witnessing all this unofficial activity/impact on the woods a group of riders regularly using the area approached as many other regular user groups as possible to persuade them that trying to get permission from FC with a coordinated plan for developing safer trails would be the way forward. Several groups of riders and members of the local community are on board with this idea and an initial meeting to discuss the idea has taken place with FC Recreational Manager. The group have called themselves Rasen Area Trailblazerz (RATz). As a group, we can police any unauthorised constructions. Making the woods a safer place to ride for all people.

This proposal sets out the plan for developing safe MTB trails at Hamilton Hill taking into account the following key issues:
• Creation and maintenance of safe trails (Built to the standards specified in the Whistler Trail Building Manual)
• Health and Safety
• Involvement of user groups and local community
• Community Benefits
• Environmental impact
• Financing the project

The Build Plan:
Phase 1
To kick start the project an initial piece of development to establish some interest and to inspire some ideas in the local youth is planned. This will be financed and maintained by the RATz and a local carpenter. This will involve the building of a low elevated trail (12"-18" inches high and 25ft long, between two technical trail features (TTF's) that are already in place in the forest and crossing wet and muddy ground and form part of an existing well established trail but will need some work to bring them up to the standards specified in the whistler trail building manual (whistler ski resort in Canada is the originator of this style of riding and the trail standard manual is the FC's preferred build standard) and information signs based on the standards in the manual will be erected. The trail will eventually loop back on technical singletrack.

Phase 2 will see further development with the addition of a new single-track trail incorporating bermed corners more TTF's and will include local volunteer help to construct and clear the trails.

Phase 3 would see a similar but much more challenging trail built on the steeper part of the forest. This phase will also incorporate a dirt jump area.

The area has very good access for emergency vehicles, which can reach within 200 metres of the area and in the extreme there is a clear landing for helicopters within five minutes walk.
There is a good mobile phone signal and groups of riders are encouraged to carry a mobile phone. The nearest phone box is located at the picnic ground near the toilets, and a further two public telephones can be found at the market place in Rasen and outside the Doctors surgery.

HELMETS ARE COMPULSORY and use of shin pads and body armour will be encouraged.

All riders are advised never to ride alone.

There are first aid resources at the picnic ground that can be used in emergencies, also the surgery in market Rasen deals with emergencies. A member of RATz is also a qualified 1st aider.

Monthly safety checks will be carried out by qualified engineers and any maintenance work on the structures will be recorded.

All riders will be advised to check TTF's before being ridden and any damage reported ASAP.

Involvement of user groups and local community

Several consultation meetings have been held with local users of Hamilton Hill. The Group have agreed that everyone participating in the project must wear a helmet and everyone must show respect for the environment and make sure no litter is left. Many of the young riders are very excited about the prospect of enhanced trails and have been making a concerted effort to keep the area tidy and carry out regular litter picking.

Community Benefits
Young people
This project has already successfully engaged with young people regularly using Hamilton Hill who have all pledged support and actively participated in helping through regular consultation meetings and litter picking. Although this project is primarily about improving trails for all riders, it is recognised that a range of other issues can be addressed which are summed up as follows:

• Diversionary activity — providing healthy challenging activities for young people and helping to channel their energy positively.
• Better fitness — providing activity that promotes healthier lifestyles
• Better bike skills — increasing bike skills that will raise confidence and rider ability for road based activity.
• A sense of ownership of the trails and woodland
• A greater awareness of environmental impact issues

Regeneration
The Market Rasen area has been recognised as an area of rural deprivation in need of regeneration and as such has been in receipt of Single Regeneration Budget (SRB) to help bring about change, although this funding is now drawing to a close after investment of a five year grant. An effect of regeneration funding has been the generation of active community groups and increased community spirit resulting in a more active community. A key driver of community regeneration is community led projects that not only increase involvement but also are generally regarded as more successful in establishing ownership and responsibility for maintenance. This project fits well with the regeneration theme and has been well received by a community that is keen to help themselves.

Environmental impact
Developing challenging mountain bike trails will help keep riders interests on the purpose built trails and deter over exuberant riding on footpaths and bridleways, helping to reduce friction with other countryside users.

The building of all structures will involve the use of imported treated timbers and will not involve taking down saplings from the woods for construction purposes, as has been the case with unsupervised private ad hoc trail building in the past. Thus damage to the woodland will be avoided with better awareness of construction methods.

Through the project several well-built challenging structures will be erected which will deter users from attempting poorly built structures.

The active campaign to reduce and remove litter will continue.

Financing the project:

Sponsorship
Several local bike shops and companies have already pledged there support. Sponsorship, although not fully confirmed is likely to take the form of assistance with publicising the trails to local riders and financial contributions to support essential health and safety elements of the trails such as funding information signs. Timber and construction materials have also been pledged by local businesses. RATz is not a profit making club, any funds raised are used to maintain the trails and add new TTFs. All construction works is undertaken by competent construction personnel donating there own time and expertise.

It is anticipated that through involvement and goodwill of the local community much of the materials and expertise in building the trails will be given as donations and voluntary time, although the option of fundraising has not been ruled out.

If you feel you have something to offer us, please see the Sponsors page for more information.