HELENSBURGH’S mountain bike trails have been damaged for the second time in three months.

The downhill recreational trails, which were built and are maintained by town locals, sit near the Highlandman’s Road above Helensburgh and Rhu.

Videos posted to the Helensburgh Trail System social media page show logs, wood and branches that have been thrown over one of the routes, titled Blood, Sweat and Beers, with its man-built jumps and bridges ripped apart by reckless vandals.

A bridge on another trail has also been destroyed.

Back in June the Advertiser reported that bridges and jumps on separate trails were destroyed, while rocks were placed in the middle of one route which could have caused serious injury, or worse, to an unaware young cyclist.

Chris Wheeler, a member of the Helensburgh Mountain Bike Meet Up, told the Advertiser: “I’ve just seen some video on the Helensburgh Trail Systems Instagram which seems to show fairly substantial damage to Blood, Sweat and Beers. It looks as though somebody’s gone to significant lengths to wreck the trail.

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“It seems that all the features - jumps, bridges and berms on the Blood, Sweat and Beers trail have been destroyed and logs laid across the trail blocking it. Another trail has had a bridge ripped up as well.

“Obviously very dangerous for anyone who might try to ride the trails not realising that they have been vandalised (not to mention for any walkers, dog walkers or trail runners who often enjoy the trails as well).

“Very sad.”

Jackie Hood, chair of the mountain bike group, said three trails have been completely destroyed, and the repeat incidents were “massively disappointing”.

She said: “It is infuriating.

“We have a Facebook group and are very active on social media, so if anyone has any real grievances why don’t they just send us a message?

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“It’s not just a quick fix, it will take a long time to rebuild the trails.

“It is so disheartening for the kids who ride the trails to think that there are people in Helensburgh who would do that. There is no need for the vandalism.”

Jackie’s 17-year-old son, Benjamin, said he rides the trails every day having helped build and, recently, fix them.

He told the Advertiser: “The landowners have said it’s fine for us to be there, so it’s not like we are doing anything wrong.

“We won’t give up. This is what we love doing.”

The landowners, Scottish Woodlands, confirmed that they are happy for the bikers to continue using and maintaining the existing trails through the site.

A spokesperson for Cycling Scotland said: “It’s really disappointing to hear about the deliberate damage to the mountain bike trails in Helensburgh.

“It’s dangerous and could cause serious injury to people cycling.

“It’s important for everyone’s physical and mental health to get outside cycling and walking.

“We’d encourage everyone to be safe, smart and kind.”