Forestry Commission - News - number one heads for 7stanes

The top female mountain biker in the world is heading to the south of Scotland to give her support to the 7stanes biking project.

Celine Gros, from France, is rated the best female downhill mountain bike champion in the world and is to spend a week riding all the 7stanes trails in Dumfries & Galloway and in the Scottish Borders.

Her first stop is the launch of the new trail at the Red Bull Project Downhill site in the Borders village of Innerleithen on Saturday 9th April. (Media opportunity - 1pm at The Hub's cafe in Red Bull car park - contact Karl Bartlett on 07771 808 003)

During the year, Celine will be helping the 7stanes project team spread the message overseas about the world-class biking trails to be found in south Scotland.

Already the award-winning trails are a big hit with riders in the UK, but the project wants to attract more bikers from all over the world. Celine will be competing in many world-class competitons and will be flying the 7stanes colours.

Karl Bartlett, 7stanes project manager said:

"We are really pleased that Celine is coming over to 7stanes country. Having her back our trails will be a great boost for building our reputation overseas. We aim to spend a week riding the trails and showing her why the south of Scotland is a great biking destination."

After riding the new trail at the Red Bull Project Downhill venue, Celine will spend the rest of the week riding Dalbeattie, Kirroughtree, Mabie and Ae Forests in Dumfries & Galloway.

"I'm really looking forward to coming over to Scotland and ride the 7stanes" Celine says. "The trails look really good and I'm eager to meet everyone that has been involved in the project. I've been to the northern parts of Scotland during the World Cup events but now I'm really keen to discover the 7stanes. It's going to be great and really interesting."

Mountain bikers are welcome to come along and meet Celine on Wednesday 13 April when she visits Mabie Forest to ride the Kona Darkside timber trail. Riders can meet her at the G&C Cycles shop (at the rear of the Mabie House Hotel) at 1000 hours.

For more information on the 7stanes log on to www.7stanes.gov.uk.

Notes to news editors

The 7stanes project is being managed by Forestry Commission Scotland with partners Scottish Enterprise Dumfries & Galloway, Dumfries & Galloway and Scottish Borders Tourist Boards, Scottish Enterprise Borders, Scottish Borders Council, Dumfries & Galloway Council, Scottish Natural Heritage, Solway Heritage and the Heritage Lottery Fund. All the partners joined forces to raise Ł1 million towards the initiative, and match-funding from Europe brought the Ł2 million project to life. The Scottish Association for Mental Health has also been supporting the project.

2. Media enquiries: Karl Bartlett, 7stanes project manager, 01387 272 440 or Steve Williams, Forestry Commission Scotland press office 0131 314 6508.