Fife’s first competition-standard pump track will open in a blaze of celebration on July 16.
The £180,000 state-of-the-art facility in the heart of Levenmouth is expected to become a destination for cyclists, scooter riders and wheelchair users from miles around.
The fully floodlit and free-to-use track is available for children and adults.
And it’s hoped it will eventually host local and national competitions.
The man behind the venture, Fife mountain bike coach Gavin Harrower, says the Kennoway pump track looks “awesome”.
“It’s been about three-and-a-half years since I first mentioned it and we’ve finally got there,” he said.
Gavin came up with the idea after taking his bike-mad children to tracks across Scotland.
“There were things like this cropping up in the west of Scotland and down in the Borders but there was nothing in Fife,” he said.
“I thought, let’s see if we can get one.”
Ideas include Friday night youth league
A pump tracks includes rollers and banked turns designed to encourage riders to generate momentum through up and down body movements rather than pedalling.
The Levenmouth community got behind the idea and an online fundraiser combined with two large grants got it off the ground.
And now, an old BMX track in Kennoway has been transformed into a first class championship-ready facility.
Gavin is already full of ideas.
“I want to look at doing a youth race league on a Friday night to get teenagers off the street,” he said.
“We’re looking to recruit volunteers and we’ll put them through coaching and bike mechanic courses.
“Eventually, there’s no reason why we couldn’t host competitions of our own.”
Kennoway pump track opening day celebrations
A six-hour community event has been organised to declare the track open.
And special guests include UK BMX champion Mark Ducat, who will perform demonstration laps.
Mountain bike champion, Fifer Gillian Stewart, will cut the ribbon and she’ll be joined by former downhill mountain bike champs Tea Jensen and Brandon Gonsales.
And Scotland’s cycle stunt team The Clan will add to the entertainment.
Meanwhile, there will be live music, refreshments, raffles and giveaways.
There will also be limited bike hire.
Fife Council’s Levenmouth area convener Colin Davidson said the opening was a milestone for the community.
“The residents and council officers involved in bringing this state-of-the-art facility to Kennoway deserve a huge amount of credit, especially when it was conceived, constructed and delivered against the backdrop of Covid,” he said.
Everyone is welcome to enjoy the festivities from 11am to 5pm on July 16.
There will also be limited bike hire on the day.
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