Racing ahead with plans for Hamsterley Forest bike park

A DOUBLE world champion has taken the reins at his childhood mountain bike course.
World number one Danny Hart is the new owner of Hamsterley Forest’s downhill mountain bike trails.
The 25-year-old three time world cup winner will run the Descend Bike Park with help from mum Sue and dad Paul after taking over from former manager Craig Hunter.
One of the few downhill facilities in the North of England, the family team wants to improve the Hamsterley trail for the next generation of the sport.
“The place had reached a stage where it had plateaued and we wanted to take it to the next level,” he said.
“With my experience riding around the world, I think we can make it even better.”
Originally from Redcar, Danny first came to the centre, on Windy Bank Road, aged ten and has spent most of his weekends there ever since. A meteoric rise has seen him compete across continents and climb to the top of his sport.
A busy summer schedule means Danny’s father will run the site while he is away competing.
The family team have purchased two uplift minibuses to help ferry bikers back up the slopes and Mr Hart revealed further plans to expand the site.
“We want to put a kids’ track in as we want to bring in some younger riders and we’ve had lots of interest off Danny’s sponsors.
“We want to take it to the next level but it’s not going to happen overnight – working with the Forestry Commission is a slow process.”
Mr Hart added that the centre could also offer a boost for nearby businesses.
“It could lead to people wanting bed and breakfasts and people wanting meals. “Business has definitely picked up since Danny has been here,” he said.
Coaching sessions with the world number one are also in the pipeline and Danny hopes to have a more hands-on role at the centre in months and years to come.
“Long term when I decide to hang up the racing bike, this will be even more of a project,” he said.
The Descend centre’s official relaunch will take place in the coming weeks – go to Danny Hart’s Descend Bike Park on Facebook for details.