7STANES BIKING TEAM GEAR UP FOR 05
The 7stanes mountain bike display team are back again this year and plan to amaze crowds with their skills at a number of events throughout the summer.
The team, based in the Borders, were put together for the prestigious Royal Highland Show a year ago but has been showing off their skills to thousands ever since. Their last demo was at the New Year celebrations in Edinburgh's hogmanay celebrations at Holyrood Park.
The team, based in the Borders, are to kick start their tour in the Tweed Valley at the Innerleithen Community Day at St Ronan's School on Saturday 23 April.
Alex Maclennan, recreation manager for Forestry Commission Scotland in the Borders said:
"The guys are to put on more awesome displays of bike riding skills at its best. We plan to give demonstrations at a number of events across the Borders and over in the west of Scotland.
"We want to spread the message of how great the 7stanes trails are and how much fun they are to ride. Forestry Commission Scotland is also promoting its healthy living campaign 'Active Woods' in an effort to get more people off the sofa and into the woods for exercise.
"We are keen to inspire more people to take to the saddle and try out the sport of mountain biking and improve their overall fitness and well-being."
The team consists of local Borders riders: Dave Mackison, Ben Arnot, Alan Hunter and Glentress mountain bike ranger and competition cyclist Andy Wardman.
Dave Mackison is a local joiner by day and also rides for the Innerleithen based Probikesport downhill biking team. He said: "We love biking and are just chuffed to do this. We have a great team spirit and we hope the crowds love it as much as we do."
The display team are heading to the following events:
Innerleithen 23rd April;
Pollock Park, Glasgow, 21st May;
Treefest Festival, Inverleith Park Edinburgh, 11/12th June;
Chopwell Forest Festival Newcastle 9th / 10th July.
Border Union Show, Kelso, 29th / 30th July,
Pollock Park, Glasgow, 7 / 8th August
Peebles Agriculture Show, 13 August
and to finish off a busy season the team are appearing at the Mountain Bike World Cup at Fort William in September.
For Alex, this season is his last as manager of the team as he's leaving the Borders as he's achieved promotion to head up recreation, tourism and community work in the Forestry Commission in North East England. Alex plans to take up the new post at the end of April, however, due to the success and demand of the display team, he's been asked to continue managing it until the Border Union Show in July.
For more information on mountain biking in the 7stanes log on to www.7stanes.gov.uk. Further information on Forestry Commission Scotland's Active Woods campaign can be found by logging on to www.forestry.gov.uk/active or by calling the 0845 FORESTS (367 3787) enquiry line.
Media enquiries to Alex Maclennan, Scottish Borders Forest District 01750 721 120 or Steve Williams, Forestry Commission Scotland Press Office 0131 314 6508.
e-mail: steve.williams@forestry.gsi.gov.uk |