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Who are the Glentress Trailfairies?

The Glentress Trailfairies are volunteers who help out with maintenance work on the existing bike trails and hand-build new sections of singletrack at Glentress Forest.  The group was established in 2002.

Why come trailbuilding?

• It's a chance to put something back into the trails – show them some lovin’!
• Learn some trailbuilding techniques
• Have a say in what gets built.  Some of the best ideas for trails come at ‘fairy sessions
• Satisfaction – ride what you helped to build.
• Can be a good workout – keep in shape, and not in a gym! Feeling worked up about something? A few hours digging will soon have you feeling better!
• The cakes – some of the ‘fairies are dab hands at home baking.  No, really….
• The chat – not all about bicycles, honest!

What's involved?

The ‘fairies meet up fortnightly on Saturdays at 9.00am next to the information board in the Osprey car park at Glentress. 

Andy Wardman (the Mountain Bike Ranger) runs the sessions – look out for the black 7stanes pick up.  Tools loaded up, we head up to the site, where Andy explains what we’ll be doing and also demonstrates the techniques involved – no previous experience is needed at all.  (See Andy's contact details, below).

We normally work on the trails until around 2pm.  Don’t worry - although the work can be quite physical this ain’t no chaingang – work as easy or as hard as you feel like.  Any help is really appreciated.  Sometimes riders out on the trails stop by and lend a hand too. 

• Read more about the work we do and the trails we've helped on.

After food at the Hub Café, a group of ‘fairies usually heads out for a ride.  This is very much a social affair (steady pace, lots of stops), often involving mixing and matching trails and finding some cheeky natural stuff.

Fancy helping out?  Check out upcoming trailbuilding dates.

What do I need to bring?

• Sturdy boots (steel toe ones are best if you have them)
• Clothes you don’t mind getting a little mucked up
• Waterproofs (though the weather gods seem to like us)
• Refreshments

We provide gloves and any other protective kit needed. 

Andy normally has room for four people in his pick up.  Some ‘fairies take their own cars up to the site (the roads are in pretty good shape). 

Don’t worry if you don’t have a car yourself though as there is always space.

How old do I need to be?

U12’s need to be accompanied by an adult.  For U16’s we just require a signed letter of consent from a parent/guardian.

2010 Trailbuilding dates

Trailbuilding takes place on Saturdays, every fortnight until Saturday 11th December 2010.  The next dates are:

• Sat 23rd Jan
• Sat 6th Feb
• Sat 20th Feb

More information and contact details

The Trailfairies have a Yahoo group page at http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/glentress-trailfairies/ .  Here you'll find out the latest on what the 'fairies are up to, pics from previous sessions and how to join the group and sign up to the mailing list.  You can contact Andy Wardman on 07900 138901 or email andy.wardman@forestry.gsi.gov.uk - or drop by the Ranger’s Office at Glentress and say hello!