Confirming the rumour, Danny Hart reveals Hamsterley Forest as Danny Hart’s Descend Bike Park.

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In a post on Hart’s Facebok page, he says: “So the rumours are true and I’m very pleased to finally announce that I have taken on ownership of my child hood training ground in Hamsterley forest. After months of planning and preparation with my family I’m proud present to you all… [Danny Hart’s Descend Bike Park]”

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Official statement

The official statement on the Danny Hart’s Descend Bike Park page holds a bit more info…

“Two time UCI Downhill MTB World Champion Danny Hart is pleased to announce he has taken ownership of the Descend bike Park in Hamsterley.

“Returning home from his most successful season to date, including victory at the 2016 downhill world champs in Val di sole Italy, Danny Hart takes over his childhood training ground in Hamsterley Forest to breathe new life into the facilities and continue the development of future riders in the North East of England.

“The existing management of Craig Hunter and his team will remain at the park, and will continue to be and integral part of the business. Craig has kept Descend Bike Park running to incredibly high standards over the past 20 years, and with Danny Hart’s investment they are looking to take the park to new heights.

“As always Danny will be utilising the facility in the off season to develop himself further as an athlete, and will also be launching a series of Elite coaching session to help develop future stars. An official opening day at the Park will be announced shortly, and will give riders the chance to Chase Danny down the very same tracks that have helped shape his career as he prepares to head into the 2017 season as the Current UCI Downhill World Champion.”

Where is the bike park?

Windy Bank Road
Bishop Auckland
DL13 3QN

What are the tracks like?

According to Danny Hart’s Descend Bike Park: “5 main downhill tracks from the top to mid way point, which then break out into 8 optional bottom sections.

“All top sections are fast following with optional routes offering green lanes/chicken runs. All bottom sections are very technical, with steep rock sections,  drop offs, banked cornering with step downs. They include multiple  lines/options.

“The 4X track starts a 16ft roll in with a mechanical start gate  followed by three table tops taking you into the first corner with optional inner/outer berms. It then goes into jump, into bowl, into large table top with two landings. Then it goes into a optional rhythm section, into flat corner, options are Ski jump or gap jump into step up into two table tops then step up then large table top then optional large ski/gap jump or  optional doubles that can be rolled. Lastly into steep banked corner with inner/outer berms into large step up with optional triple/double gap jump or ski jump/gap into the finish.”