A Bristol resident has come up with the name for the Ashton Court Cycling Trail following the recent Name That Trail competition, run by Better By Bike.

The main trail, which has proved very popular since it’s opening on 22nd July, will now be called ‘the Nova Trail’.

Dr Ceri Hughes and his son Noah came up with the name. They said: “Firstly, if Nova is spelt backwards it reads Avon (as in the river), secondly because it comes from the Latin for ‘new’, and thirdly, because in astronomy a nova is a cataclysmic nuclear explosion caused hydrogen igniting and starting nuclear fusion in a runaway manner. Sounds good doesn’t it, you want to ride it!”

Better By Bike hopes to ride the trail with Ceri and Noah very soon.

Better By Bike also found out that a local pub called the Nova Scotia was frequently visited by the trail construction team on their way home – another great reason for the Nova trail name. Thirsty cyclists are all part of the economic benefit of the trail!

Thanks to all who entered the competition. Paul Hawkins, 1SW project manager said: “Eight sections of the trail have been named using suggestions that were submitted in the competition. One section is even named after an individual, Antony De Heveningham of Bristol Trails Group for his outstanding work developing cycling in Bristol over many years.”

Other trail names include Super Nova, the red-graded section through New Barn Wood, and Stella Nova, from the firetrail to the bomb hole near Redwood Avenue. All eight trail name sections can be found on a display board outside the current cafe and golf hire centre in Ashton Court (pictured above).

Cycling facilities are continuing to improve in and around Ashton Court. Work is currently underway to build a new Golf and Cycle Centre and Cafe at the site and work on a new cycle trail in Leigh Woods will be completed around the end of this month.