Two of Scotland's top cyclists have launched a new mountain bike track at Whitelee Windfarm.

Rab Wardell, Scottish Commonwealth mountain biker, and champion cross country rider Rob Friel opened the route ahead of this year's Commonwealth Games, which is being staged in Glasgow.

Created during the construction of the wind farm, the trails are set within a former borrow pit and is suitable for all levels of rider. There is a pump track and skills loop for beginners, while there are 3.5km worth of intermediate trails. A number of red-graded trails, which involve more technical riding options and the chance to ride over boulder gardens, long beams and drop-off features.

A picnic area and viewing area, completed with wet weather shelters, have also been installed.

The project was led by East Renfrewshire Council – on behalf of Whitelee Access Project partners along with South Lanarkshire Council and East Ayrshire Council – and cost £194,000. Additional grant funding came from the East Renfrewshire LEADER 2009-2012 programme, while co-operation with Scottish Power Renewables enabled the project to be developed in its unique setting.

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Rab Wardell said: "The mountain bike tracks are a fantastic addition to the ever-growing mountain bike facilities in Scotland. The location of the trails means that they are accessible for a high percentage of the Scottish population.

"The design and build of the trails offers a great opportunity for newcomers to learn with progressions as they improve. It's a brilliant facility."

Rob Friel added: "These trails are a great new facility in a unique and inspiring location. They offer children and those new to mountain bikes a great fun and manageable course just a few miles drive south of Glasgow.

"For the experienced rider these grippy trails will be ridden faster and faster, plus there is a pump track and a skills area to refine your technique. If you are keen it's only a few miles pedal on quiet lanes from Glasgow or Kilmarnock. Personally I'll be riding between Whitelees and the Commonwealth Games track to get a great training ride in from the city."

Environment Convener, Councillor Vincent Waters, commented: "Mountain biking is one of Scotland's fastest growing sports but until now most trails have been in remote parts of Scotland. There was a strong public demand for more accessible facilities and we wanted to make mountain biking a sport for all by creating a track on our doorstep.

"This site is just 10 miles south of Glasgow and easily reached from Ayrshire, Lanarkshire and surrounding areas. The new track will add to the network of roads across the 215 turbine Whitelee Windfarm already popular with cyclists."

The trail is located just 500m from Whitelee Visitor Centre. The trail is located 500m from the Whitelee Visitor Centre, which includes a café for visitors, as well as those using the mountain biking facilities.

(JP/IT)