4.8 MNOK for trail development in Hallingdal!

- The cycling adventure in Hallingdal has come about thanks to a large number of eager promoters and local enthusiasts. One of the most important contributors to the development is Sparebankstiftelsen Hallingdal. The foundation of SpareBank 1 Hallingdal Valdres has already supported the cycling initiative in Hallingdal with a total of NOK 6 million, and is now adding a gift package to the cycling community totaling NOK 4.8 million. With the contribution from the foundation, the region is now in a good position to realize the next project phase of the cycling initiative, which has a total value of NOK 53.8 million divided between 2021 and 2022.

What does banking have to do with trail biking? In Hallingdal, there's probably a lot more to it than most people think... Sparebankstiftelsen Hallingdal has just announced that it is supporting the cycling initiative with new funding of NOK 4.8 million, which will go towards the construction of cycle paths and facilities throughout the region. This brings the foundation's total contribution to NOK 10.8 million since 2017.

Tråkk 'n' Roll SA coordinates the joint project on behalf of the non-profit trail organizations in all 6 Hallingdal municipalities. Since 2017, support from the foundation has led to the development of 16 different trails and facilities, of which the last 4 are in the final development phase. With the support of Sparebankstiftelsen Hallingdal, the wheels are now rolling on, and this summer the next development phase will begin, which will result in 15 new trails and facilities, including 3 skill parks, 1 pumptrack and 43 km of cycle-optimized trails. The total value of the new facilities is NOK 53.8 million, and all will be built in 2021 and 2022.

Sparebankstiftelsen Hallingdal has contributed to the construction of Vestlia Bicycle Park. Photo: Paul A. Lockhart

According to Lars Wraae Jensen, General Manager of Tråkk 'n' Roll, the support could not have come at a better time.

- "Hallingdal is Norway's largest tourism region and the tourism industry is among the hardest hit by the corona pandemic. It goes without saying that the crisis in Hallingdal runs deep. It's not just a matter of a few companies struggling - businesses and local families across the entire region are affected. A strengthened offensive on the development of cycling facilities can be part of the solution to reduce seasonal dependency and get the tourism industry back on its feet as quickly as possible. The bank's gift comes at a time when we really need the development - but where the industry's ability to lift is reduced. This creates renewed optimism!"

Jensen adds that the support can also be seen as a crisis package for children and young people in Hallingdal.

- "The pandemic has been hard on local children and young people, who have had to deal with social restrictions and on several occasions experienced that organized training and activity offers have been closed down. The situation underscores the importance of good outdoor activity arenas. Attractive cycling facilities will have great appeal to local children and young people, who will have an arena where they can stay active and reign freely in creative play."

It's not just cycling enthusiasts who have something to look forward to. The upcoming cycling facilities will be adapted for a wide range of cyclists. These facilities are supported by Sparebankstiftelsen Hallingdal:

• Flå: A total of 19.1 km facilitated trail, from green to red difficulty level

• Nesbyen: 3.5 km blue flow trail from Trytetjern to the city center

• Geilo: Further development of the trail center at Ustedalsfjorden with 3 new trails totaling 1.3 km.

• Hemsedal: Red flow trail from the top of Hollvinheisen to the town center of 7.1 km and multi-use trail at the lift's top station of 1.7 km.

• Gol/Golsfjellet: 5.7 km of prepared trail between Storefjell and Bualie and a total of 3 skill parks/pumptracks

• Ål: 3.5 km trail close to the city center in blue and red grading

Here you will find a complete overview of the new bicycle facilities: