The group is a non-profit organisation with a small committee.  We set up in 2004 following concerns that the trails were being damaged from overuse and lack of maintenance. Some of us were already doing ad hoc trail maintenance, but there's only so much you can accomplish without proper resources, so when the land managers asked us to ge involved we jumped at the chance.

The main focus of the group is organising regular trail days where riders can put something back into the trails they ride, or help build exciting new ones. We do a lot of maintenance work on the existing XC trails but we're always up for getting involved in new projects, in any discipline of mountain biking.

We also act as advocates for mountain biking, and as a contact point between riders and land managers.

The trails group doesn't have a fixed membership and anyone who wants to be involved is welcome to help. In terms of the number of active participants, we usually get 5-15 volunteers at each dig day (sometimes less, sometimes more) and there are over 200 riders registered on our forum and our Facebook group.

You can get involved in several ways.

• Come out and help at one of our regular trail days. If you sign up as a member on our forum you'll get an email when there's a trail day coming up.
• Post your comments and feedback on the forum. You'll need to register but this is very quick and simple.

If you don't have enough free time to come digging, but still want to help:

• Give us a donation. The group needs a small amount of contributions to pay for expenses such as tools, insurance and web expenses. You can do this via PayPal to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or by cheque payable to Bristol Trails Group, at 23a Cherry Gardens, Bitton BS30 6JA.
• Let us know what you think of the work that's been done so far. A bit of feedback is always welcome. The forum is ideal for this, and although you have to register this is quick and easy.
• Think about where and how you ride to minimise damage to the trails. See here for more information.

To date the group has been funded by donations from local bike shops, businesses and kind-hearted riders. We have also received support from Bristol City Council (who own Ashton Court Estate) and the Forestry Commission (who manage 50 Acre Wood). Special thanks go to Tarmac, operators of Durnford Quarry, who have donated a large proportion of the materials we use.

For more information, please have a look at our sponsors page and, in the case of the shops who've supported us, be sure to check them out next time you're passing.

The group's running expenses are minimal but we do need a small amount to cover expenses like tools, safety equipment, insurance and domain name registration. If you wish to make a donation you can do this via PayPal to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or by cheque payable to Bristol Trails Group at 23a Cherry Gardens, Bitton BS30 6JA.