Don't let it dampen your spirits

The opening of a new skills area at the Moray Monster trails in north east Scotland has been delayed following the wettest December on record.

The skills area was due to open tomorrow but the wet weather has blown the build off course and riders will now have to wait until 1 March to sample the trails.

The Moray Monster trail network is made up of three blue trails, one red trail, one black trail and a freeride zone. It is based around the town of Fochabers just above the Cairngorms National Park.

Forest Enterprise Scotalnd has invested £100,000 into the Moray Monster trail network this year and the £60,000 skills loop is the final piece of the puzzle. It would feature a beginners line of basic moves and a more advanced line for experienced riders.

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Calum Murray, of Forest Enterprise Scotland said: “Unfortunately, the unprecedented levels of rainfall have thrown a spanner in the works and we’re going to hold off opening the trails until March.

Watch the enduro skills that will make you a better trail rider

“This will hopefully give the ground a chance to dry out a bit and compact down.”

Riding the trails before they have bedded in will mean they erode quicker and will require more maintenance. Mr Murray said: “We appreciate that this will be frustrating for people but we hope they will understand that a further short delay will result in a fantastic, fit for-purpose resource that will draw visitors to the area”.