About Us

Trailnet was founded in 2006 by David Porter and Geoff Fletcher as a not-for-profit company dedicated to the promotion of outdoor physical activity. In July 2009 Trailnet became a community interest company and formally changed its name to Trailnet C.I.C..

David Porter has been the proprietor of Herongate Cycles for over seven years. Herongate Cycles has been a major sponsor of local competitive and recreational cycle events and David has considerable experience of organising and managing such events. David also sponsors and runs Heron Cyclesport, an elite cycling team and was a founder member and Chairman of the newly formed Gateway Cycling club whose focus is on encouraging novices to try recreational, fitness and competitive cycling.

Prior to starting Herongate Cycles, David worked as a Route Development Officer for Sustrans, the sustainable transport charity. He therefore understands the needs of both cyclists and walkers and has considerable experience of the planning, negotiating and funding of new routes.

David has a BEng in Polymer Engineering, holds a MIAS level 2 mountain bike leader qualification, a current first-aid certificate and has standard CRB clearance.

Geoff Fletcher has been active in the sport of triathlon as competitor, event organiser, coach and administrator for over 20 years. During this time he has completed over 100 triathlons, organised numerous cycling, walking, running and multi-sport events and has been president of a 200-member Triathlon Club.

Geoff worked as a design engineering supervisor at a major automotive manufacturer for over 25 years before leaving in 2006 to pursue his interests in activity promotion. He is currently a part-time lecturer in Exercise Physiology and Sport Psychology and has a particular academic interest in the psychological benefits of physical activity.

Geoff has a BSc in Mechanical Engineering, a BA in Psychology and an MSc in Sport & Exercise Science. He is also a qualified Triathlon coach, a qualified Chair-Based Exercise Leader, holds a MIAS level 2 mountain bike leader qualification, current first-aid certificate and has standard CRB clearance.

Alison Kemp has been actively involved in sport for most of her life and has an impressive set of achievements, including a black belt in Karate and a London Marathon finish. She is a qualified gym and circuit training instructor and is working towards an advanced gym instructor certification.

Outside of sport Alison has completed a range of nursey nursing courses and has worked for several years with special needs children. She has specialist training in speech and language disorders; autism, asperger syndrome and semantic pragmatic disorder; and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Alison has a MIAS level 2 mountain bike leader award, standard CRB clearance and holds a current first-aid certification.

Michelle Hopkins

Michelle joined Trailnet in January 2010 as our Geocaching Project Manager. As such she is responsible for the delivery of a Heritage Lottery Funded project to introduce heritage-focused geocaching into Essex Country Parks. Michelle was born in Wales and grew up in New Zealand, where from an early age she developed a love for the outdoors and a keen interest in outdoor pursuits including walking and horse riding.

For several years Michelle has been actively involved in the new sport of geocaching, taking part in this in both the UK and internationally. Michelle is an active Scout Leader with considerable experience with a range of age groups within the Scouting Organisation and was recently awarded the prestigious Chief Scouts Commendation for Good Service. She has organised numerous camps and other scouting events over the past six years. In addition to her scouting and geocaching activities, Michelle volunteers weekly at a local Riding for Disabled Group and acts as an examination invigilator at a local comprehensive school.

Her non-sporting accomplishments and experience include New Zealand University Entrance level qualifications, working with the New Zealand Inland Revenue Department, and has held accounting and marketing positions at a major global automotive company.

Michelle has enhanced CRB clearance and holds a first response certification.

Volunteers

In addition to our paid staff, Trailnet relies heavily on help from a team of dedicated volunteers, some of the longest-serving we highlight below:

Keith Walker

Keith joined Trailnet as a volunteer soon after its formation and has assisted with our Health Rides and other activities ever since. During his time with us Keith has gained his MIAS Level 2 Mountain Bike Leaders award and is also a qualified Bikeability Instructor. He holds separate CRB clearance for both of these roles.

Keith has always been a keen Sportsman; playing football well into his 40's, has completed over 10 Marathons and competed at Triathlon for many years; regularly representing the Great Britain Age Group Teams at both World and European Championships, in Duathlon as well as Triathlon. In 2009 he gained a Bronze Medal at the European Ironman Championships in Frankfurt and has a couple of Duathlon National Championships Bronze medals to his name.

Keith is a member of Billericay Striders Running Club, Shaftesbury Cycling Club and Tri Sport Epping Triathlon Club, for whom he also organises events. He has been instrumental in encouraging over 20 of our health riders to enter their first triathlon in June 2010.

Keith is now working in an environment that he loves, having previously been employed as a Structural Engineering Technician with an HNC + Endorsements in Structural Engineering and Construction.