Published: 29 August 2013
This Autumn Scottish Cycling, the Governing Body for cycling in Scotland, supported by Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland, are delighted to announce a new regional series for children and young people run by cycling clubs in Tayside and Fife.
The ‘Big Tree Campervans Tayside & Fife Regional Youth MTB Series 2013’ is a multi-discipline race series aimed at children & young people in the Autumn of 2013. All races are suitable for a basic hard-tail mountain bike & will serve as a local introduction to the sport of mountain biking. It will allow our young riders to develop a range of MTB skills and try all disciplines of mountain biking. Young cyclists will get to experience the thrill of downhill (on a ‘mini’ course), the exhilaration of XC racing and the burn of endurance mountain biking. The series will provide a pathway for aspiring mountain bikers aged between 8 and 16 years to get their first taste of bike racing.
Graeme McLean, project manager of Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland said: “There is a growing mountain bike scene in Tayside & Fife. The race series will provide children and young people with a local, fun and accessible entry into the sport of mountain biking.
The Tayside and Fife area is set for a mountain biking boom with new trails being added to Lochore Meadows in Fife, Comrie Croft & Alyth Hill in Perthshire and Templeton Woods in Dundee. I have no doubt that the Commonwealth Games will increase the interest in mountain biking and add to our already global reputation of being a world class destination. It truly is an exciting time for mountain biking in Scotland.”
The series winner of each age category (both boys & girls) will win an amazing 2-day family hire of a Big Tree Campervan to create their own adventure.
Owner of the family business, Big Tree Campervans, Simon Yearsley explains why he was keen to get involved: “Both my son and I are regular mountain bikers and would love to see more people get involved in this fantastic sport, we were keen to sponsor a series which encouraged grassroots racing. As a business we promote the idea of adventure, and with having a bike, a campervan and Scotland’s amazing scenery and trails – you can create one of the best adventures ever!”
To ensure the series can sustain beyond 2013 Scottish Cycling were fortunate to receive sportscotland SPORTSMATCH funding which matched the financial contribution of Big Tree Campervans and will provide equipment for the years to come.
The Events
22nd September – Dirt Crit at Middleden, Kirkcaldy
29th September – Dirt Crit at Dundee, Templeton Woods
19th October – Endurance Round at Hairy Coo, Comrie Croft
10th November – Mini-DH at Kinnoull Hill, Perth
17th November – Dirt Crit at Outdoor Education, Lochore Meadows Fife
The cost for each round is £7 per racer (in advance) and we encourage riders to enter all rounds to help their chances of winning a fantastic holiday
Event specific information can be found on the FAQs here
More information and entries at: www.britishcycling.org.uk/events
