Forestry Commission - News - gearing up for the holm show race

Organisers of the agricultural Holm Show in Newcastleton are putting together the finishing touches for the mountain bike race and display that will be held at the Holm Show this Saturday. (28th Aug)

A healthy number of competitors have already entered for the race, and more are expected on the day. Meanwhile, the trio of expert bikers who will put on the extreme biking display at the showground have also been practising their skills, and promise to get the crowd cheering.

Alex Maclennan of Forestry Commission Scotland said:

"Only last week we had a superb launch of the Newcastleton biking trails and already bikers have been visiting to test them out. The Holm-to-Holm bike race will be a real showcase for the trails because they'll be riding on the new red route as part of the race course. This is the first year that we've run the race, and the community support has been tremendous. We hope it will become a regular feature of the Holm Show."

There will be a race route for adults, and a separate one for children. The prizes on offer include a few nights' B&B at the Grapes Hotel in Newcastleton.

Entry forms for the Holm-to-Holm bike race can be obtained from Val Robson by contacting 01387 375454; The Rush bike shop, High Street, Jedburgh; Tourist Information Centres; Forestry Commission Scotland's Selkirk office, 01750 721120; the Newcastleton Heritage centre; and from the forestry offices at Glentress Forest, Cardrona Forest, Craik Forest and Newcastleton Forest.

The biking display will feature three expert riders from Peebles who have already wowed crowds at the Royal Highland Show and Kelso's Union Show. They'll be riding up and down narrow beams, wooden see-saws and dropping off high platforms on a specially built course.

Both the biking race and extreme mountain bike display have been supported by the Euro-funded 7stanes project, which is building seven mountain bike centres across the south of Scotland. Newcastleton is the fifth centre to be opened.

MEDIA ENQUIRIES: Alex Maclennan, Forestry Commission Scotland, 01750 721120.