http://www.trailscotland.com/ Trail Scotland en-us Thu, 04 Oct 2007 18:58:10 GMT 1440 CPG-Nuke Dragonfly Trail Scotland News http://backend.userland.com/rss http://www.trailscotland.com/images/TS_LOGO_FINAL.jpg http://www.trailscotland.com/ http://www.trailscotland.com/News/article/sid=117.html The first round of the Scottish Cyclocross Series is this Sunday, 7th October. Peebles Cycling Club are holding it at Haylodge Park in Peebles. The youths race is at 11am, the senior race is at 12 noon and a free U12's kids race is at 1.30pm. For anyone wondering what cyclocross is, it's racing around a short (2.5 - 3.5km) lap several times for a set time, with 1 lap normally added on at the end. So for the senior race this works out at about 1hr of racing. Cross courses use a mixture of grass, singletrack, dirt road, tarmac, paths - anything rideable goes! It's ace fun and there can be a lot of mud surfing involved. Some folk do it on cyclocross bikes, but you can do it on a mountain bike or any bike come to think of it! This year the Scottish Series has 11 rounds between now and christmas - mostly around the central belt, but there is even double header on the Isle of Mull on 1/2 Dec! More details can be had at www.scottishcyclocross.co.uk Thu, 04 Oct 2007 18:58:10 GMT http://www.trailscotland.com/News/article/sid=116.html 23rd July is the date for the Kielder Deadwater singletack trails. 15k red grade trail and approx 3km black grade , all packed with features. The trails were only in concept 12 months ago, so an amazing amount of work has gone into the project since then. A social day is planned on Saturday 18th August to celebrate the hardwork put in by everyone, and everyone at Trail Scotland is invited to come along. If you fancy trying out the new trails at Kielder, before the launch date, go easy as there is some snagging to complete before the 23rd and some of the drop offs need refining..... For more info on the project, visit www.kieldertrailreavers.com Tue, 26 Jun 2007 12:46:51 GMT http://www.trailscotland.com/News/article/sid=115.html Yes that's right.. you heard it here first! The whole of the North Shore area at Newcastleton 7 Stanes site has now been re-opened for use! We know that a lot of people enjoyed the see-saw and are sad at its loss, however in its place, we have added a new sting in the tail! Swoop down the ramp, down the banking and up to the brand new hipped jump. Remember the North Shore sections are rated Double Black and should only be attempted by those who are both suitably experienced to ride it, and have the ability to dismount safely in case the need arise. Please also check that your bike is up for some punishment! For those trying the new section for the first time, we recommend you take a look first before you leap! However if North Shore isn't your cup of tea... don't worry there's loads being done at Newcastleton at the moment... We are currently working on a red grade singletrack descent, which will be the longest downhill section on site. Fancy having some input to this exciting new trail, or lending a hand with a spade or saw? Check out the Newcastleton Trail Warriors forum right here on this site for up to the minute information, including details of our fortnightly build days! We hope you have fun, and encourage you to complete the visitors book with your comments on the trails. Tue, 20 Mar 2007 18:26:48 GMT http://www.trailscotland.com/News/article/sid=114.html Progress is going well at Kielder Forest, with 1.1km of pure singletrack already open for business on the red grade trail. The 1st sections opened have northshore and 7 berms, challenging rock gardens and sweet flowing singletrack. The next singletrack section will be around 3km long and includes some tricky rocky sections along the way. The 3rd section of singletrack, under construction on the red is downhill and includes 12 berms, all within 1km of trail, and is aimed to be built and open for use by middle April at the latest. On the new black grade trail (which is being built by Downhiller Gary Forrest no less)! good progress is also being made. Gary has now started on the downhill section after building a wicked climb and already 2 cracking berms and table top have been built within the 1st 50m of downhill! Pete Laing is already trail designing the 3rd new singletrack trail, which will go from Kielder Castle to the Newcastleton / Scottish Border returning to Kielder Castle to give a circular route of around 40km. External funding is being sought at present to allow the new Cross Border route (on the Kielder side) to be constructed during late 2007/ 2008. Local trailbuilders need your help and trailbuilds now take place every sat between now and July 2nd to ensure everything is place for a great launch. To find out more about the progress of the project, which the Deadwater trails are on course to open on Monday 2nd July visit www.kieldertrailreavers.com Fri, 09 Mar 2007 23:24:44 GMT http://www.trailscotland.com/News/article/sid=113.html Forestry Commission Scotland's 7stanes website and trail leaflets have had a makeover to bring the branding in line with the second phase of the project, which aims to encourage families and beginners into the sport. Since the first purpose built trail on the 7stanes opened in May 2003 at Dalbeattie, Scotland has gained a reputation as a world class mountain biking destination and has hosted the Mountain Bike World Cup since 2002. The 7stanes trails have evolved to reflect the growth of the sport, with new singletrack sections and features added to each centre over the years. Phase 2 of the project looks to widen the appeal of mountain biking and the website is one way to do this. The new look website has a contemporary look. It contains up-to-date information and trail descriptions to help people choose which stane to visit, comprehensive directions and maps, improved links to weather sites, a glossary of terms to help people who are new to mountain biking get started. Colin Williamson, 7stanes project manager, said: "Work is moving fast on the construction of new trails and infrastructure to support the second phase of the 7stanes which will help attractive new people to this growing sport. "It is important to keep everyone as up to date as possible on what they can expect if they visit any of the stanes. The website is an ideal way to do this as it contains so much information - not only on the trail, but on local services and facilities. "The new leaflet for circulation in Dumfries and Galloway and the Borders allows us to involve local communities and businesses in promoting awareness of all the 7stanes centres and is a useful reference for current trail facts and figures." The web site is still accessed at www.7stanes.gov.uk One generic leaflet containing information on the trails and facilities will replace the individual leaflets and make it much easier to find out information on the other 7stanes. The 7stanes project is being managed by Forestry Commission Scotland with partners Scottish Enterprise Dumfries & Galloway, Dumfries & Galloway Council, Scottish Natural Heritage, Scottish Enterprise Borders, Scottish Borders Council, Solway Heritage, Scottish Power and Visit Scotland. The Scottish Association for Mental Health has also been supporting the project. The project receives half of its funding from Europe. For more information on Forestry Commission Scotland's mountain bike trails visit www.forestry.gov.uk/mtbscotland Tue, 27 Feb 2007 22:10:57 GMT http://www.trailscotland.com/News/article/sid=112.html Angus Council’s community learning & development outdoor education team has set down a challenge to Mountain Bikers to get involved in a discussion about the viability of a mountain bike trail development matching one of the 7-Stanes sites. Throughout mid April discussion forums will be held across Angus. These forums will allow individuals the opportunity to make their views heard on the ‘how’s’ and ‘where’s’ of any future development. Importantly too, support from within the council and possibly further a field for any future development will be gauged on how many people attend these forums. The challenge for the Mountain Bike community is to ensure these meetings are attended by as many people as possible. Parts of the community learning department believe that ten people at each forum would be an impressive figure, each venue though will hold upwards of forty people. Monday 16th April 7:30-8:30pm Panmure Centre Community Learning and Development Service 141 Kinloch Street Carnoustie Wednesday 18th April 7:30-8:30pm Fairlie House Community Learning and Development Service Kirkton Hill Kirriemuir Thursday 19th April 7:30-8:30pm Bruce House Wellgate Arbroath Monday 23rd April 8:00-9:00pm Pitstop 1A Academy Street Forfar Tuesday 24th April 7:30-8:30pm Damacre Centre Community Learning and Development Service 26 Damacre Road Brechin If anyone is interested in getting involved or keeping up to date with progress please send an email to ednangustrails@angus.gov.uk Fri, 23 Feb 2007 18:48:20 GMT http://www.trailscotland.com/News/article/sid=111.html Carron Valley mountain bike trails are fast, fun and purpose built for year round use - guaranteed to entice you back for more! The routes feature testing singletrack climbs, flowing descents and stunning views of the water and surrounding areas. There is something for everyone at Carron Valley - links provide a short fun route or something longer and more challenging. Whatever you choose the emphasis is firmly on fun! The forest enjoys an envious location in the heart of Central Scotland, nestling between Kilsyth, Stirling and Denny. With most major cities in Scotland within 1 hour’s drive and nearby public transport links in Kilsyth and Stirling, the mountain bike trails offer big country biking right in the heart of Scotland! Since the launch in spring 2006, Central Scotland's first purpose built mountain bike centre is proving extremely popular with riders of all ages and abilities, steadily growing a reputation as one of Scotland’s mountain biking gems. Almost 11km of trails have been created by volunteers from the Carron Valley Development Group (CVDG) working in partnership with Forestry Commission Scotland, North Lanarkshire Council and Stirling Council. Three exciting new additions in autumn 2006 complement the existing trails and provide a longer, more flowing singletrack experience! Pipedream - Pipedream provides an ideal warm up whilst ascending to Eas Dubh. Moderate, swoopy singletrack breaks up the gentle climb with superb views across the valley from numerous viewpoints. Eas Dubh - Or 'Black Waterfall' will test the skills of an intermediate rider. Catch your breath at the top and admire the panoramic views before descending the 'Kelpies Staircase' - a steep stone pitched section that's not for the faint hearted! Glimpse the waterfall on your left as you dance through the tight switchbacks of the 'Birlin' Bogills'. Just don’t hang around too long … Cannonball Run - Shoot down the fast flowing singletrack of the 'Cannonball Run'. Keep your sights on the junction as you approach 'Recoil' - gun it round the huge berm to begin another lap of Pipedream or eject beforehand towards The Runway, the choice is yours! Fun Park: The Runway - When it’s time to land, head for 'The Runway'. This feature-packed, fast flowing fun park style descent is designed so beginners can roll the jumps and experienced riders can get some air! Experience turbulence as you drop in, feel the speed through the corkscrew and explode out of the bomb hole before lining up for the final approach. Littered with berms, jumps and tabletops it’s guaranteed to satisfy those who prefer airtime! The forest is often busy with cyclists, walkers and horse riders so ride expecting to meet other forest users and be prepared to meet and greet along the way – remember the forest code! Routes Green – None Blue – None Red – 9km Black - None Ungraded 'Fun Park' Trail available – 1.5km Getting there By Car Please note: these are suggested directions to the Carron Valley using main roads and are not the only routes available. From Glasgow: follow the M80 / A80 out of the city to junction 4, signposted Kilsyth. Leave the A80 at junction 4 and join the A803. Follow this to the junction with the A872, signposted Denny. Follow the A872 into Denny. Look on the left for the junction with the B818, signposted Fintry. Follow the B818 for about 8km. The Carron Valley Car Park is on the left, about 2km past Carron Bridge. From Edinburgh: head west out of the city on the A8 to the Newbridge roundabout. Join the M9 and follow it to junction 8. Leave at junction 8 and join the M876, signposted Glasgow. Leave the M876 at junction 1 and join the A883. Follow the A883 through Denny and at the junction with the A872, bear left. Follow the A872 for about half a kilometre and look for the junction with the B818 on the right, signposted Fintry. Follow the B818 for about 8km. The Carron Valley Car Park is on the left, about 2km past Carron Bridge. From Stirling: join the A872 at junction 9 of the M80 (Stirling Services roundabout). Follow the A872 south to Denny. At the junction with the A883 in Denny, bear right, staying on the A872. Follow the road for another half kilometre and look for the junction with the B818 on the right, signposted Fintry. Follow the B818 for about 8km. The Carron Valley Car Park is on the left, about 2km past Carron Bridge. By public transport By bus There are no bus services that stop at the Carron Valley forest. Scottish Citylink runs services to Stirling from Edinburgh and Glasgow. Service 909 runs daily from Edinburgh and service M8 runs daily from Glasgow. Journey time to Stirling from Glasgow is 45 minutes and from Edinburgh, one hour. Stirling is roughly 13km from the trailhead. Bikes are carried on Scottish Citylink services free of charge provided they are in an approved box or bag and that there is sufficient space in the luggage hold. See the Scottish Citylink website for further details. By train The nearest stations are at Croy and Stirling. Croy is approximately 11km from Carron Valley by road and Stirling is approximately 13km by road. You might need to book in advance to take your bike on the train. See First Scotrail's information for cyclists. Journey times to Croy take between 11 and 18 minutes from Glasgow and around 35 minutes from Edinburgh. Trains to Stirling from Glasgow take between 25 and 40 minutes, and around 50 minutes from Edinburgh. More details are available on the First Scotrail website. Vox Pop Name Angela Crichton Age 28 Lives Stirling Occupation Music Teacher Been mountain biking 3 years “Carron Valley is so handy for rides after work – I can be cycling within 30 minutes of leaving the office! It makes a great weekend venue too; it’s busy, but very sociable. As a beginner I don’t feel intimidated going out on the trails. The trails themselves are excellent, the flowing singletrack contains plenty of challenges and the links mean I can mix and match depending on my mood!” Website [url=http://www.carronvalley.org.uk ]www.carronvalley.org.uk[/url] Thu, 22 Feb 2007 22:26:13 GMT http://www.trailscotland.com/News/article/sid=110.html A new study has shown that establishing Tweed Valley as one of the world's leading mountain bike destinations to rival locations such as Les Gets in France and Whistler in Canada could help attract 100,000 visitors to the region a year. The independent report, commissioned by Scottish Enterprise Borders, highlights that the re-introduction of a safe vehicle uplift facility at the Innerleithen downhill course is a key first step in helping to grow the number of people using the downhill tracks. The report also states that by developing a long term-vision for the area and installing the world's first dedicated mountain bike chairlift system in Innerleithen could create 200 new jobs and generate more than £6 million a year for the Scottish economy. Last week, the Tweed Valley Development Group set up a new working group to take forward the proposals in the report. Members of the group will include Scottish Enterprise Borders, Scottish Borders Council, Forestry Commission Scotland and the Tweeddale Business Consortium. Forestry Commission Scotland is currently looking for a company to operate a bus-based transport system to safely transport bikers and their bikes to the top of the downhill routes at Innerleithen. It is hoped that this new business opportunity will be operational by early summer. The new vehicle based uplift service will be fundamental in growing the number of bikers using the trails from the current 8,000 visits a year to at least 25,000 visits. The uplift service would be part of the overall strategy towards developing the chairlift as a viable option. The report recommends installing a detachable quad chairlift system in Innerleithen, between Elibank and Traquair Forests. The Innerleithen Downhill course at Traquair Forest is already renowned for its extreme biking and a chairlift system would offer significant opportunities to develop the area and reinforce its world-class reputation amongst mountain bike enthusiasts. Dr Julian Pace, Director of Strategy at Scottish Enterprise Borders, says: "The success of mountain biking at Traquair Forest and Glentress, means the Tweed Valley region is fast becoming a favourite location for beginners and enthusiasts. This report demonstrates there is now a real opportunity to capitalise on that success and position the Borders as one of the world's leading mountain bike destinations. "We are now looking forward to working with our partners to identify how we progress with the chairlift system and ensure that future development at Tweed Valley will deliver significant economic benefits while minimising the impact on the local infrastructure, environment and community." Christina Tracey from Forestry Commission Scotland said: "We welcome the findings of the report, which reflects the importance of the Tweed Valley forest area to the local economy and its tremendous reputation for being a mecca for mountain bikers. We recently advertised for highly motivated entrepreneurs who have all the skills and resources to provide a high quality vehicle based uplift facility. We will continue to work the partners in looking at the options for growing the venue in a sustainable way." Bryan McGrath, Head of Economic Development & Regeneration at Scottish Borders Council also welcomed the report. He said "This report highlights an exciting opportunity for the Scottish Borders. The project isn't just about mountain bikers, it could open up all sorts of tourism opportunities in the surrounding area. We will work closely with our partners in the public and private sector to make sure that this project brings as much benefit to the area as possible." Emma Guy and Tracy Brunger, who run Hub in the Forest mountain bike centre at Glentress, believe a new chairlift would have a positive impact on surrounding businesses. Emma says: "Tracy and I have been working towards the vision of a chairlift at Innerleithen for several years. To see this vision shared with the partners that can make it happen is fantastic. This is a crucial and exciting stage in the physical reality of a mountain bike dedicated chairlift and it is important for the Borders economy that this opportunity is seized". Further development in the Tweed Valley forms part of a wider Adventure Sports strategy, being developed by SE Borders and its partners. By focusing on activities that capitalise on the natural assets of the Borders, SEB hopes to develop a strategy to help position the Borders as one of the UK's main locations for outdoor leisure activities such as equestrianism, mountain biking and diving , which will attract more overseas visitors as well as those from across the UK. Mon, 12 Feb 2007 21:19:12 GMT http://www.trailscotland.com/News/article/sid=109.html Forestry Commission Scotland is on the hunt for entrepreneurs who can muster the necessary resources, business acumen and proper vehicles to run the passenger uplift service at its Downhill mountain bike venue, at Innerleithen, in the Scottish Borders. The new business will be responsible for operating a bus-based transport system to safely transport bikers and their bikes to the top of the downhill routes. If all goes to plan, it is hoped that the successful business would be up and running by early Summer. The downhill mountain bike course at Innerleithen is widely regarded as one of the most technically challenging courses in Britain. Around 6,000 downhillers per year visit Innerleithen and the venue often plays host to many national biking events. On busy weekends upwards of 250 users turn up each day with each requiring transport up the six mile forest road on four to six occasions per day. Christina Tracey from Forestry Commission Scotland said: "The Tweed Valley has a tremendous reputation for being a mecca for mountain bikers and this has positive spin offs with more visitors and extra money being pumped into the local economy. "We are currently looking for highly motivated entrepreneurs who have all the skills and resources to provide a high quality service which meets the needs set down by Forestry Commission Scotland. There is great potential for the venue at Innerleithen to grow and develop further and this will benefit not only mountain bikers but also the local business community." Candidates interested in the business opportunity should request a tender pack by 16 February. The pack can be obtained by emailing christina.tracey@forestry.gsi.gov.uk. Tender details will then be sent out to interested parties, who will be asked to submit a business plan looking at areas including: how they would operate the service and contribute to taking forward Innerleithen for mountain bikers and the local area. The tenders will need to be returned by 13 March with interviews planned near 20 March. For more information on the Commission's mountain bike trails, visit www.forestry.gov.uk/mtbscotland or www.7stanes.gov.uk Wed, 07 Feb 2007 21:58:50 GMT http://www.trailscotland.com/News/article/sid=108.html Kielder Trail Reavers have been working hard with Forestry Commission England in the last year and are delighted to announce 1.1km of singletrack trail (red grade is now open). Construction began in October 06 and the volunteers have been working on this section and the 1st section of Black grade trail every 2nd weekend. To find the 1st sections of the new singletrack trail, park at Kielder Castle Car Park and follow the red arrows to the trail section. Construction is now underway on the remaining red trail (15km) and black trail (3km), with the opening date of the 2 new trails planned for 2nd July 2007. The good news is sections of both trails will be rideable and open for use well before the formal opening with the next 2km section of the red due to be open for the middle of feb at the latest! The 1st section of Black (a very interesting section including Jump Gaps!) will also be open for use by middle of feb! For up to date info goto the new Kielder Trail Reavers Forum. Sun, 07 Jan 2007 19:27:52 GMT