Singltrek pod Smrkem is Among 7 World’s Model MTB Destinations

In November 2011 IMBA announced its 2012 list of the model trail destinations - The Ride Centers. Singltrek pod Smrkem, a trail system lying near the border between Czech Republic, Poland and Germany is included; it is first European destination to receive such recognition.

In November 2011 IMBA announced the list of global MTB destinations chosen to serve as models and awarded them its IMBA Ride Center status. Among 7 of the places - and the only one lying outside of the US - is Singltrek pod Smrkem. The prestigeous Ride Center label means the destination lying near the border between Czech Republic, Poland and Germany is to become globally known and visited by mountain bikers from all over the world.

Singltrek pod Smrkem is first "purpose built" trail system in contintenal Europe. It is inspired by the trend of Welsh, Scottish and Irish "trail centres" desinged wholly for mountain bikers’ enjoyment. After he rode the trails at Singltrek pod Smrkem this summer, the MTB Hans Rey said: "This is the future of mountain biking".

Singltrek pod Smrkem suceeded in strict evaluation process run by IMBA experts for the quality of riding it offers to the wide variety of riders, from beginners to advanced mountain bikers. Yet, the quality of the trail system, designed by the mentor of European trail design, Welshman Dafydd Davis was not what launched it into the league of supreme trail destinations. What made the difference was the newly opened Singltrek Centrum, a state-of-the-art trailhead facility located in Nové Město pod Smrkem that offers all services and amenities demanded by present day montain bikers. 

Singltrek pod Smrkem is a result of partnership between Czech communities of Frýdlant, Lázně Libverda and Nové Město pod Smrkem with the Czech State Forests (Lesy ČR) which was joined later by Polish community of Świeradow-Zdrój and Polish State Forests (Lasy Państwowe). The creation of the trail system was managed by Czech trail experts who worked together with renown trail specialists, in particular with Dafydd Davis.

 Singltrek pod Smrkem will enter the 2012 Season with 60 km of purpose designed trails for mountain bikers of all age and abilities. In the relatively short time of its existence Singltrek pod Smkem gained devoted fans not only from the Czech Republic, but also from neighbouring Poland and nearby Saxony. They all come to Frýdlant region, under the majestic mountain of Smrk (The Spruce) for the total mountain biking experience matched with quality trailhead services.

Quotes:


Chris Bernhardt, IMBA’s Director of Consulting Services who manages the Ride Center Programme commented on awarding Singltrek pod Smrkem the Ride Center Bronze status: "IMBA globally promotes places to ride that can serve as model to others. Singltrek pod Smrkem is unique among them. Even if it does not have yet the scale of some US trail systems, it has built premium quality MTB infrastructure, yet to be found elsewhere in continental Europe in a very short time. Singltrek pod Smrkem is a model of future European mountain biking."

Ludvík Řičář, Director of Regional Headquarters of Forests of the Czech Republic in Liberec adds to the recognition: "When we began with Singltrek pod Smrkem few years ago, we entered into a new territory, something like this has never been tried in Czech forests. To persuade everyone around we have chosen to deliver all stages of the project in highest possible quality. We could not have imagine, however, that such quality will leap us – the only Europan MTB destination - into the global destination elite.  It is a privilage for the Forests of the Czech Republic to belong among modern and progressive state forest managers that offers the best possible recreation infrastructure to our public."

“Singltrek pod Smrkem is changing the way mountain biking is done in Central Eastern Europe“ Tomáš Kvasnička, trail systems design expert, comments. “In the epicentre of this change is a trail designed with mountain biking in mind. We have been recognised by IMBA for having the courage to do what has not been done before – to design, built and promote such trails matched with service infrastructure to wide mountain biking public.“