Posted: 08th October 2013
This summer Scottish Cycling in conjunction with Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland (DMBinS) and its partners kicked off a competition in search of images, videos and peoples thoughts to describe what’s best about mountain biking in Scotland!
Prizes were offered in three different competition categories; The ‘Best image’, The ‘Best video’ and The ‘Best experience’. Following a fantastic response with many stunning images and memorable tales and videos of experiences, Duncan Johnstone from Moray, Robin Smith from Falkirk and Neil Purves from the Borders were all announced as winners for the competition.
Mountain Bike enthusiast Duncan Johnstone won the ‘Best images’ category, with a lovely shot of his son heading off to the trails. While it may not be the usual stunning, dramatic scenery as in some other photos, the judging panel felt that it truly summed up the ethos of mountain biking in Scotland. Johnston’s expressed a strong message of getting out and exploring the trails with family and friends and enjoying every minute of the experience. Duncan, and his family, will receive two fantastic prizes, including a two night stay in an Original wigwam for a family of 4 at Mains Farm Wigwams and a one night stay for four with free 24 hour bike rental from Comrie Croft, near Crieff.
All weather mountain biker Robin Smith won the ‘Best videos’ category. His video was a series of films that depicted mountain biking in Scotland in all seasons and weathers, with the overriding message of having fun with friends while biking. Courtesy of the Scottish Mountain Bike Consortium (SMBC), Rob will receive two brilliant prizes of top-quality mountain bike training from Collective Training and a stay in the Mains Farm Wigwams.
Duncan Johnstone's winning image
In the ‘Best experience’ category, Neil Purves took the top prize with an outstanding tale of how he took on all of the 7stanes trails in 24 hours. Tired legs, sleep deprivation and night riding all stood in the way of Neil completing his aim but his friends and a lot of coffee got him through! The judging panel unanimously decided that Neil was the very well-deserving winner of a Trek 4900 mountain bike, again very generously donated by the SMBC.
DMBinS project manager Graeme McLean said: “We were absolutely delighted to get such a fantastic response to our ‘Best of Mountain Biking in Scotland’ campaign. Throughout the competition we received many brilliant images, videos and experience really highlighting what Scotland has to offer as a destination for Mountain Biking. All three winners thoroughly deserve the title of ‘Best of Mountain Biking in Scotland winner’ and have received some great prizes to go along with it.
We would like to thank the Scottish Mountain Bike Consortium for generously donating so many quality prizes, which have all been gratefully received by the winners.”
You can still check out the full ‘Best’ of gallery, including highlights and the winning images and tales at www.dmbins.com.
If you wish to take part in sharing your best of mountain biking in Scotland, and feature in our gallery, you can upload your images, films and experiences through the DMBinS website.
