There’s never been a better time to take to the saddle and start exploring brilliant mountain biking experiences in the Scottish Borders.
The rallying call comes from mountain biking business, Ridelines, following the outstanding success of the UCI Championships, which showcased facilities at Glentress Forest in the Tweed Valley as part of the event’s national programme.
Innerleithen based Ridelines provides specialist tuition to help build confidence and raise skill levels for bikers. Director Allan Doyle believes the UCI spotlight that shone on Glentress and the Tweed Valley has the potential to make the location a “genuine bucket list destination” for mountain biking.
“The UCI Cycling World Championships coming to the Tweed Valley represents a huge validation for what the community has built over the years. All World Championship disciplines took full advantage of the existing trails and shared them with an international audience.
“Our hope is that the success of this event, the worldwide coverage, huge crowds, and phenomenal atmosphere of racing, will result in the Tweed Valley becoming a genuine bucket list destination.
“Not just for existing mountain bikers, but also people who simply watched it on TV and thought, I’d like to try that. We’ll be ready to welcome them all and show them our amazing trails. Mountain biking isn’t just for downhill champions, it’s for everyone!”
Ridelines, which provides private mountain bike tuition, skills courses, kids sessions, guided bike rides and leadership awards, is playing a vital role in growing the sport of mountain biking in the local area and has recently been named as a finalist for the South of Scotland’s first Regional Thistle Awards.
The Scottish Thistle Awards celebrate the very best of the tourism and events industry, which is worth £11.5 billion to the Scottish economy.
The South of Scotland has also now joined a prestigious list of world-leading cycling destinations after being awarded a UCI Bike Region label. The label is held by 26 cities and regions across the globe and recognises a region’s commitment to both Elite cycling and cycling for all.
David Hope-Jones, Chief Executive of the South of Scotland Destination Alliance, said: “Events like the UCI World Championships and the Tour of Britain being staged here really put our region on the map as a magnificent cycling destination and we know cycle tourism has the potential to bring a massive boost to the South of Scotland’s communities and visitor economy.
Not only was the bicycle born in the South of Scotland thanks to Kirkpatrick Macmillan, but you can also perfect your cycling skills here too – then put them to use discovering some of the most stunning landscapes anywhere on the planet!”
