Forestry Commission - News - top gear for scottish mountain biking

Scotland is "one of the hottest places to ride in the world", says an independent report card on mountain biking.

For the past six years, the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) has been collecting data on the best places to go in the world for mountain biking, and rating the information each year in the form of league tables. Scotland has come out as one of the top five places to go on the planet, and the best outside North America.

But the real bonus for Scottish mountain biking is being voted number one in the world under the 'People's Choice" category, which is determined by the highest combined grades in an on-line poll of mountain bikers.

The popularity of Scotland as a top biking destination has been mainly attributed to the work by Forestry Commission Scotland to build seven mountain bike centres across the south of Scotland through the 7stanes project.

Credit was also give to the Commission for its development of new trails that can be ridden all the year round - an important factor in Scotland's wet climate. New trails in the Highlands, and great out-in- the-wilds riding opportunities in remoter locations, also helped to push Scotland up the ratings.

Commenting on the report card, 7stanes manager Karl Bartlett of Forestry Commission Scotland said:

"This is great news for Scotland and mountain biking in general. We've been working hard to build some of the best trails in the world, and it's a great achievement for everyone involved to get this recognition from IMBA and mountain bikers. Part of this success is also down to the eager enthusiasm of mountain bikers in Scotland, because they've been working with us to help build fantastic trails and enhance our reputation as a top destination."

The Commission's Glentress forest, near Peebles, was recently voted the best biking centre in the UK for the second year running, and the on-site cafe and bike hire centre, The Hub, was given the award as the Britain's best biking cafe.

Trail centres through the 7stanes have been built in Glentress and Traquair forests in the Tweed Valley Forest Park, and further south on the Border at Newcastleton. Across to the south west of Scotland, popular trails are up and running at Mabie and Dalbeattie forests, with another one under construction just outside Dumfries. Galloway Forest Park also boasts a recently opened monster trail at Kirroughtree, and a new 50km trail is planned for Glentrool in Galloway Forest Park. In the Highlands, the new Laggan Wolftrax trails near Aviemore have recently opened, and extensions and improvements are under way on a trail network at Fochabers in Morayshire, and on the Black Isle, Ross-shire.

For more information on the IMBA report card log on to http://www.imba.com/news/trail_news/17_5/itn_17_5_reportcard.html#best.

NOTES TO EDITOR:

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 �1 million towards the initiative, and match-funding from Europe brought the �2 million project to life. The Scottish Association for Mental Health has also been supporting the project.
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 benefits, including timber production, nature conservation and public recreation; supports other woodland owners with grants, felling licences, advice and regulation; promotes the benefits of forests and forestry; and advises Ministers on forestry policy. For further information, visit www.forestry.gov.uk/scotland.

Media enquiries to Steve Williams, Forestry Commission Scotland press office, 0131 314 6508.