Thanks to the hard work of Kelso mountain bike club, 2.5 km of new trails have been opened on the Roxburghe Estates outside Kelso in the Scottish Borders.

The Angraflat trails feature a 1.5km cross country loop as well as a pump track, two jump lines and a skills area. Although they have been developed by the cycling club, they are open for all mountain bikers to ride for free.

Image credit: Rubber Side Down Facebook

The trails were developed to encourage young riders to take up the sport and provide them with adequate training facilities. Ian McKenzie, club coach, told The Southern Reporter: “We are delighted to have been able to get the help of the Roxburghe Estates and so many partners to help realise our dream for a new local cycle trail.

“We already have a large programme of activities and this will help us grow our club and grow participation in cycling. We’re sure this will help us realise our ambition to host cycling events.”

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The trails were officially opened by the Duke of Roxburghe, who also owns the plantation, on Friday. He said: “The Scottish Borders is Scotland’s leading cycling destination, but cycling is about local and visitor use and we were keen to support the Kelso Wheelers in realising their aim of an off road cycle course in Kelso.”