We are Flyup, a husband and wife team who have run the mountain bike uplift at the Forest of Dean for the last 4 years, and Gawton in Devon for the last year. We've built up a large and loyal customer base over the time we've been operating, and for the last couple of years have been looking for a bigger project to dig our teeth into.

We are massively passionate about what we do, and have been working towards the Flyup 417 Project since June 2013. We're now moved in and work has begun on creating the best mountain bike venue in the UK.

We've enlisted the help of a team of enthusiastic and highly regarded riders and builders to take a role in piecing the venue together.

Jake Ireland has spent time with both Dirt and MBUK Magazines as well as having a hand in building a huge amount of trails in the Forest of Dean. Katy Curd needs no introduction, having won a Silver medal at the DH Junior World Champs at Fort William in 2007 and dominating 4X at a World Level for the past few years. Jamie is the man that can with plant machinery and social media, as well as managing our co-sponsored local DH team.

Cara doesn't mess about, having raced 4X World Champs last year and knows what works and what doesn't when it comes to the dirt. Tom Gethin is an ex professional dirt jumper who's got serious skill when it comes to carving lips and riding hips. Chris is a local lad and one of our very first customers, a keen Downhill rider and pretty nifty on a dumper.

When the 417 Project is complete we will have the best mountain bike venue in the UK and in one of the most accessible places. Located just outside Cheltenham, Gloucestershire we now own 100 acres of private land to mould into the venue we all really want to ride.

On our grand opening, the 417 Project will boast:

• 6 Downhill tracks, uplifted by the slick Flyup service you have all grown to know.
• A push up track for those that want their gravity fix without the lift.
• A 4X and Dual Slalom track, both accessed from our drag lift.
• A 2 acre Dirt Jump arena
• 1000m2 of indoor riding, From simple pump tracks to full on pro lines
• An indoor chill out area with sofas, coffee and drinks, heated of course for those cold winter sessions.
• A mezzanine level in one barn with viewing area and intimate cinema to showcase the latest productions in the riding world.
• An airbag arena with multiple lines.
• A 4 acre free ride area with enough progression for all.
• An on site Bike shop with full workshop facilities.
• An on site cafe with home cooked food and vegetables picked fresh from our on site vegetable garden.

 

Our packages start at just £20 to get your name on the Funder's Wall in one of the barns and be forever recognised for helping us out. For £50 you can have special preview access to the project, and for all the packages over £32 you'll get full park access with uplift too.

The perks available to purchase will give you priority booking ready for when the project opens as spaces will be limited. This means you won't have to wait too long to visit.

A project of this size does not come cheap, we have borrowed all we can now so this last push is to get the 417 Project ready to open to you, the public.

We want the trails to be properly built, and this means professional builders and machinery, all of whom have the designs in their hands and the machines ready to make a dent in the huge amount of work we need to do.

Your contribution will largely go towards the building of the lines and tracks, both indoors and out. We have some minor works to get the shop ready and we need to get a car park built for you all to be able to come here, park, and play.

Bike parks, trail centres and places to ride are mostly located in hard to reach areas which are a long journey from the areas of high population in the UK, meaning most riders are faced with a long journey to be able to ride the best trails. The 417 Project is different. By car, we are just over an hour and a half from West London and only one hour from Birmingham. From leaving the M5 at Junction 11a we are only four minutes away.

It's not just the accessibility that makes us unique, we have a Premier Inn only two minutes down the road along with a Beefeater pub and restaurant. A Shell Petrol station with cashpoint is less than a mile away and on the main route here. Cheltenham is a short drive away, and with everything from Pubs and Clubs to Whiskey Bars it would be hard not to have a good night out, but we can't guarantee you'll be feeling fresh the next morning!

The 417 Project isn't your usual bike park or trail centre, we really do have it all. You could turn up with a DH rig, Enduro bike, XC bike, Jump bike and Road bike, be any level of ability, and be able to make the most of what all the bikes have to offer on some of the best trails the UK has to offer.

Q: Where are you based?

A: We are just outside Cheltenham in Gloucestershire England. Just off the J11A of the M5 and the A417 from Oxford/London

Q: When do you hope to be open?

A: We are aiming for Autumn 2014 but will keep people constantly updated via social media sites and our website. The more money we raise the quicker it will be open.. simple!

Q: What's happening with the other uplift venues?

A: Lots. There will be more tracks arriving in the Forest of Dean this Summer, and with the 417 Project close by, all the more reason to make a weekend of it. We're in for the long run and won't be closing or changing the service. 

Q: What happens if there is a delay in the opening?

A: As with everything like this there is plenty of red tape, most of which we have cut through.  If for any reason we encounter any delays and you don't want to wait for an uplift day your perk will be transferred to another venue where possible.

Q: When your open will there be a cost to come and play?

A: There will be an entrance fee for the push up for the downhill tracks, 4X track, Dual Slalom, Dirt Jumps and Freeride area for a full day. There will be a separate entrance fee for the pump tracks and these will be offered in 3 hourly sessions. There will be an additional cost for the use of the Flyup Uplift, Drag lift and jump bag. 

Q: Will you do a season pass?

A: Yes, we will have different levels of packages available to purchase to give you year round access at a reduced cost.

Q: Can I just turn up or do I need to book?

A: Initially you will need to pre-book your day as we want to limit the numbers to ensure everyone gets to fully enjoy the riding we can boast. 

Q: What days will you be open?

A: We will be open 6 days a week all year round, closed Tuesdays and Christmas Day.  In the summer months we will have late opening with evening sessions for anyone wanting to grab some riding after work.

Q: Is there anywhere local to stay?

A: Yes, literally at the end of the road, 2 minutes away is a Premier Inn and local B&B. There are also campsites in Cheltenham & Gloucester.

Q: What else is there available to make a weekend of it?

A: There's accommodation, Beefeater, Subway, Toby Carvery and Shell petrol station 2 minutes down the road. For a good night out Cheltenham offers a variety of options.

Q: Will there be bikes to hire?

A: We're currently in talks with bike manufacturers so we can provide this service by the time we open. We should have hire bikes to cover all types of riding available on site.

Q: How do i redeem my purchased perk?

A: Once we have a confirmed opening date we will send you your day passes in the post and instructions on how to book. You can book your day pass for any day once the park is open and it has no expiry date. You will have priority booking offered before the Project opens.

Of course we want you to tell all your friends about the project and hopefully you're as excited as we are!

We'll be putting up a weekly progress blog on our website here.

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