About IMBA-UK >> Updates >> Update 62 (June 2009)
Forestry Commission Scotland's Ae Line Trail at 7Stanes
This year's AGM will take place near Keswick in the Lake District on Saturday 17 October, and is followed by a seminar focused on 'Riding, Speaking, Doing.'
We will be looking at the increase in mountain biking and how this translates into advocacy and volunteering. We are really delighted that that we will be hearing about the great work carried out by SingletrAction, and are sure that this will inspire discussion and ideas. There will be an opportunity to talk about how IMBA members can get involved locally and become more active - and importantly how IMBA can support this.
We will also be hearing about development of mountain bike trails at Whinlatter Forest Park, where there is now 19km of singletrack red grade mountain bike route called the Altura Trail and 9km of singletrack blue graded trail called the Quercus Trail. There will be a chance to have a look at the blue trail with a 'Trail & Talk', to find out about its development, as well as other opportunities to ride. And we will pay a visit to Cyclewise and find out about their new Coaching Course and hear about their involvement in training and skills development, as well as setting industry standards.
On Sunday there will be a series of self-guided trails.
Further details, and a booking form will be sent out separately, but put the dates in your diary now - Fri 16 - Sun 18 October 2009.
'Dr' Steve Peat has somehow found time to plan what is sure to be a mouth-watering 4th annual Wharncliffe Weekender, despite his hectic racing schedule and his newfound profession, delivering babies! Little did Sheffield Hallam University know last year that the honorary doctorate awarded in 2008 was to pre-empt the delivery of son number 2. All this when the UCI Downhill World Cup is now in full swing with Steve having a blistering start and leading the points series with 2 wins and a podium in the 3 rounds so far. His win in Andorra has now established the Sheffield born rider as the most successful of all time with 17 World Cup wins. He's somehow finding time for the return of the ever popular event ...
The annual cross country mountain bike meeting, held in Sheffield is, again, receiving global interest and last year saw riders from across the UK & Ireland as well as further afield from the Canary Islands and even New Zealand! The charity event, which raises money for the Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity has been extremely successful over the past 3 years. The amount raised to date is £28,500 with last year's funds being specifically donated to the Teenage Cancer Unit at the hospital.
A visit by the Wharncliffe Weekender events team to the Teenage unit has strengthened their resolve to continue what is now becoming one of the most enjoyable MTB events in the calendar.
Steve Peat said 'We're stoked with the amount of money we've raised so far and can't believe the distance some of the riders travel to take part. We all say this event is easy to organize because we have so much fun. We're tweaking the plans for this year with the emphasis being solely on riding and old school MTB fun. We've even built a dual slalom fun track in the event field for people to play on. It's gonna be awesome so come along and help us raise loads of money!'
The event consists of 2 categories. Firstly a fun race for children or the less discerning riders, almost all of whom will be in fancy dress and will this year incorporate a team event. Secondly, a senior event which is for the more serious rider. In addition to the actual riding, there will be camping, food all-day and many other fund-raising stalls and activities. In the evening, things will slow down with old school 'chill & chat'.
There are still plenty of places available for interested riders and people who may just wish to spectate or enjoy the other activities are gratefully welcome. The dates for the event are 4th & 5th July.
You will be able to download entry and sponsorship forms from the following website and get all the latest info on the race running up to the event: www.wharncliffeweekender.com.
The draft Cycling Action Plan for Scotland is available for consultation.
The introduction to the document states:-
"This draft Cycling Action Plan for Scotland has been written after consultation with members of the public, Local Authorities through the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA), and key stakeholders from the cycling, active travel and environmental sectors. The purpose of the document is to ask the people of Scotland what they think about the actions we've proposed here and to contribute their ideas in relation to those actions.
Scotland's Vision for Cycling
The "Vision" for cycling in Scotland is shared by Scottish Government Ministers, stakeholders and members of the public. By working together we can achieve our common goals."
The consultation closes on 20 August, and full details can be found by visiting www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2009/05/28093408/0.
There's always plenty going on around the 7stanes but we sometimes struggle to fit the details onto the website or into our newsletters. So to give us somewhere to let you know what else we get up to around the 7stanes, we've set up a blog at 7stanes.blogspot.com.
The plan is to keep the 7stanes website for general info, main news items, trail conditions and so on, but to use the blog to bring you more quirky stuff, items from trailbuilders and rangers, events reports and the like. You can of course comment on what's there, so let us know if there's anything you think we should be doing.
You can also keep up to speed with what's going on by signing up to follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/7stanes.
We've set up a rate this trail feature on each of the trail pages on the 7stanes website. You can mark any trail out of 5 and leave a comment. Let us know what you think. Note that comments are moderated, but constructive criticism is welcome!
A meeting of the Professional Trail Builders Association was held on 13th May in Dumfries. A copy of the minutes can be viewed on the IMBA website, by following this link: www.imba.org.uk/uploads/misc/PTBAUK_13May09.pdf.
Drambuie 'Death road' is a once in a lifetime, all-expenses-paid, four-day trip for thrill seekers. On one of the most adrenaline fuelled adventures, you and a friend will get the opportunity to put your biking skills to the test, when venturing down a snow-covered Bolivian mountain (with its 'friendly' 800ft drops and breathtaking views). Begin your epic journey at 14,000 feet and test your skills on 'the most extreme downhill ride there is'! Prepare to feed your thrill-seeking hunger. Apply online at www.drambuiepursuit.com/win.
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