Pedal power comes to Mayfield

A new indoor bike park is opening at Mayfield this spring.

The Dirt Factory Pop-Up is being created inside a disused 25,000 sq ft warehouse on the Mayfield site, and aims to bring high quality bike trails to the heart of Manchester. It will house a range of exciting bike trails and features, designed for riders of all ages and abilities, and will be an evolving creative space where individuals, friends and groups can ride together, have fun and take their bike skills to the next level.

The Dirt Factory Pop-Up will be open at Mayfield for up to two years, ahead of the business moving to a permanent home at a larger facility in Greater Manchester.

James Heather, Development Director for the Mayfield Partnership said: “We are really pleased and excited to be supporting the launch of Dirt Factory, it’s a fantastic initiative and one that fits perfectly with our own values in terms of community and well-being.

“Since the formation of the Partnership nearly two years ago we have focused on learning about the heritage of this site and listening to a wide range of people about what they would like to see here. This has been invaluable in helping shape our long term vision for Mayfield.

“While doing this we have brought part of the site back to life by working with GRUB, hosting headline events for Manchester International Festival and CityCo, the pop-up Christmas cinema and most recently Manchester Pride. The Dirt Factory Pop-Up continues this worthwhile work and we look forward to welcoming cyclists of all ages coming to Mayfield.”

Dirt Factory co-founder and Managing Director Dan Makin, said: “We can’t wait to open at Mayfield. The Dirt Factory Pop-Up is an amazing opportunity to bring our dream alive and as a start-up it’s great to have such amazing support from the Mayfield Partnership, with whom we share so many common values around inclusivity, wellbeing and the environment.

“As well as the opportunity to ride a range of indoor bike trails and features, the Dirt Factory Pop-Up will offer bike hire including e-bikes and a host of exciting events.”

Welcoming the launch of the Pop-Up, Greater Manchester's Cycling and Walking Commissioner, Chris Boardman, said: "Mountain biking and BMX are hugely popular activities and high quality, low-cost facilities in convenient city locations are a major factor in encouraging more people to give them a try. We hope to do our bit by enabling more people to make journeys to and from the city centre without cars.

"It's great to hear that there will be a big community focus to the Dirt Factory project and I wish everyone involved all the best with this venture."