Two new sections of mountain bike trails in Tai Lam Country Park open (with photos)
***********************************************************************************
A spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said, "The approximately 700-metre-long new section near Pak Shek Hang is part of the Tai Lam Chung Reservoir Mountain Bike Trail. The entry and exit of the section are connected to the existing trail. Users can ride uphill at the new section and downhill at the original section. It aims to reduce user conflicts among riders at this narrow section.
"The 790m-long new section at 'Wong Keng Au' is part of the Ho Pui Mountain Bike Trail. As the original trail consists of steep topography with a cliff nearby, and has been deteriorating seriously, it has been closed from yesterday for the safety of users. The new section offers relatively flat re-routing and connects to the entry and exit of the closed part of the trail."
The two sections were both designed and built by the AFCD with the assistance of trail building experts from the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) and in accordance with the principles of sustainable trails promoted by the IMBA.
According to the mountain bike trail difficulty rating system devised by the IMBA, Tai Lam Chung Reservoir Mountain Bike Trail is rated as a green route, which is an easy trail suitable for beginner cyclists. The Ho Pui Mountain Bike Trail is mainly rated as a black diamond route, which is a very difficult trail that requires users to be experienced and possess advanced skills. Features like climbing turns are provided.
The building of the new sections was supported by various mountain bike groups. Volunteers from these groups participated in two volunteer trail-building sessions organised by the AFCD and helped build part of the new trails.
The spokesman reminded mountain bikers to observe the code of practice for mountain biking in country parks and ensure their own safety as well as that of other country park users. The AFCD has put up warning signs at the entrance of the closed section to remind mountain bikers to use the new section at "Wong Keng Au" which is safer.
Details of mountain biking trails in country parks are available at the AFCD's website: www.afcd.gov.hk/english/country/cou_vis/cou_vis_mou/cou_vis_mou.html.
Ends/Sunday, September 24, 2017
Issued at HKT 11:06
Issued at HKT 11:06
NNNN