Mountain bikers of all levels are being challenged to have a go at one of the most gruelling riding challenges ever held in Scotland.
“10 Under the Ben” will challenge entrants to ride as many circuits of a 10-mile loop as they can in 10 hours on Saturday the 4th of June.
The serious event will be followed by music and dancing in the evening and an open fun day on Sunday 5th of June.
Taking its name from Britain’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis, in whose shadow it will be held, "10 Under the Ben" will take in the famous Witch’s Trail in Leanachan Forest, near Fort William, where World Cup mountain biking events have been held over the past three years.
Although it promises to be a “muscle-wrenching, gear-crunching, leg-burning” challenge for individual participants, 10 Under the Ben will have something for all levels of riders. Organisers’ spokesperson Kirsty Barr, of Forestry Commission Scotland, explained,
“We hope to get a good turn-out of super-fit riders challenging for individual honours, and we’re confident there are enough of them out there to make a race of it.
“However, ‘weekend warriors’ who fancy dipping their toes in competitive waters, but don’t think they could manage the full 10 hours’ riding, can form relay teams to compete for team honours.
“There will also be categories for juniors and veterans, so there will be opportunities for anyone who fancies themselves on a mountain bike.
“We’re not forgetting the spectators and supporters, either, with plenty of entertainment for them during the event and in the evening afterwards. Two manufacturers will be there with bikes for non-entrants to try out while the event is on, and The Incredible Fling Band will keep the after-match dancing going until late – for those whose legs are still up to it, anyway!
"On the Sunday we're following up with an open day of fun riding and come-and-try-it events for anyone who wants to join in.
“If that’s not enough, the course is set in some of the Scottish Highlands’ most spectacular scenery, so that should both inspire the riders and make the trip doubly worthwhile for their supporters and spectators.
“And thanks to the Witch’s Trail and the World Cup events we have held here over the past three years, mountainbiking is well established in the Lochaber district, so folk coming for the ‘10 Under The Ben’ are assured of a warm Highland welcome and great hospitality.”
Downloadable entry forms and details about the rules, entry fees and other information are available by visiting www.10undertheben.com or by telephoning 01397 704008. The website will start publishing the names of entrants from the 14th of February.
‘10 Under The Ben’ is being organised by a partnership of organisations including Forestry Commission Scotland, which manages the national forest land over which much of the course runs, No Fuss OCUK, Nevis Range and Lochaber Rural Complex.
NOTES TO EDITOR:
- The Forestry Commission is the leading provider of challenging mountainbike trails in Great Britain. Its 7Stanes centres across the south of Scotland are internationally renowned, its Witch’s Trail in Leanachan Forest, near Fort William, hosts international competitions, and there are a number of popular trail centres in national forests in Wales.
- Forestry Commission Scotland serves as the Scottish Executive’s forestry department. It manages 656,000 hectares of national forest lands owned by Scottish Ministers for multiple public benefits, including timber production, nature conservation, public recreation and rural and community development; supports other woodland owners with grants, felling licences, advice and regulation; promotes the benefits of forests and forestry; and advises Ministers on forestry policy.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
- Charlton Clark, Forestry Commission Scotland press office, 0131 314 6507; mobile: 07810 181067;
- Kirsty Barr, Lochaber Forest District, 01397 702184
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