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Not Much of a Dream about Mountain Biking

Last night I dreamt that I was going to go mountain biking in Aberdeenshire. Since it was a dream, there was no reason why I should not just get out of of bed one morning, drive from Warrington to Aberdeen for a couple hours trail riding and get back home in time for a lunch. The fact that its about 350 miles with a estimated journey time of 6 and a half hours has nothing to do with anything when you’re dreaming.

So in my dream I rang round a couple of friends to give them directions to the mountain bike trail. One of my friends has recently bought a sat nav, so all I needed to tell him was the postcode of trail and he would find it no trouble. This was the same friend who recently got lost while relying on his sat nav to direct him from Manchester to Bristol. Take the M6 to Birmingham, then take the M5 to Bristol, its not the most difficult route!

Then I was rudely awoken by my alarm clock. My dream about mountain biking in Aberdeenshire came to nothing.

Mountain Biking in Aberdeenshire

However I was not prepared to let the matter drop entirely. Having recently heard about the 7stanes mountain bike trails in southern Scotland, I realised that there must be some good mountain bike trails around Aberdeen.

Kirkhill Forest Mountain Bike Trail

Two-Wheeled Action. Source: Flickr by sharpneil

Had I not woken up, it seems most likely that I would have found my way to the popular Kirkhill Forest Mountain Bike Trail. Kirkhill Forest is a Forestry Commission site located on the A96 at Tyrebagger, about one mile north of the airport roundabout. OS Grid Reference: NJ850 120.

The trail at Kirkhill Forest consists of a 2 km long Fun Park and an 11.5 km loop Forest Trail.

The Fun Park has features such as jumps, bumps, berms (i.e. a corner which goes round an embankment) and switchbacks. The fun park has enough slope to keep your speed up without being too steep.

The Forest Trail is a way-marked mountain bike trail containing both double and single-track sections. Initially there is a long climb before the trail winds around Tyrebagger Hill affording spectacular views across Aberdeen.

Now that I know where to go mountain biking in Aberdeenshire, maybe tonight my dream will continue with some fast-paced two-wheeled action with plenty big air. The good thing being that if I hit the dirt there will be no pain!

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Mecca for Mountain Biking

The 7stanes are eight mountain biking centres in southern Scotland. The public sector organisations behind the mountain biking scheme have recently announced that they will provide £1 million of funding over the next three years.

The BBC have reported that the announcement has been praised by Environment Minister Mike Russell, who called the 7stanes mountain bike trails a “major success” in building Scotland’s image worldwide.

Have you been mountain biking on any of the 7stanes trails? What do you think of them? Share your thoughts! Click on the “comments” link below.

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Last week, a new Head was appointed to take charge of Scotland’s National Outdoor Training Centre in the Cairngorms.  Bob Kinnaird, who has been chief executive of CairnGorm Mountain Ltd for the last eight years, will take up his new role at Glenmore Lodge in December.  Bob will be taking over from Tim Walker, who has held the post for over 31 years.

Bob Kinnaird

Mr Kinnaird has spent a lifetime working in, or around, mountains, previously being responsible as the chief outdoro instructor for British Mountaineering Training Centre in Norway and chief exectutive of the British Association of Snowsports Instructors.

In repsponse to the appontemnt, Bob Kinnaird stated:

I am delighted to be joining the sportscotland team, particularly at this time when there is an increasing recognition of the importance of outdoor sports in both education and more generally in society.

Glenmore Lodge has a long and distinguished history as a centre of excellence and I look forward to taking on the challenge of ensuring this continues in the future.

Glenmore Lodge has an international reputation as a leader in the field of outdoor leadership training and assessment, so this appointment is big news to the outdoor industry.  Especially as some of the UK’s most experienced and highly-qualified people provide coaching and receive coaching via this centre in rock and ice climbing, mountaineering, river kayaking, sea and surf, open canoeing, mountain biking, orienteering and ski-ing.

We wish Bob Kinnaird all the best for his new post and to Tim Walker thank you’s on behalf of quite a number of outdoor people I expect!

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Orienteering in the Scottish Highlands

The Lowe Alpine Mountain Marathon (LAMM) is an annual two day mountain orienteering event for pairs, with overnight camping at a remote location. It is held in the high mountains of Scotland, at a secret location.

Next year’s LAMM event will be held in the Scottish Highlands on the weekend of 6th/7th June 2009. It will be possible to register for this event in early November, via the LAMM website. Competition for places in the LAMM is keen. The organisers strongly recommend an early entry to avoid disappointment.

Previous Lowe Alpine Mountain Marathons

The Lowe Alpine Mountain Marathon LAMM has taken place at:

Lowe Alpine Mountain Marathon Glenfinnan 2008. Copyright © Felicity Martin www.felicitymartin.co.uk

• Arrochar 1994
• Isle of Mull 1995
• Lochaber 1996
• Isle of Jura 1997
• Ardgour 1998
• Black Mount 1999
• Glen Shiel 2000
• Loch Laggan 2001
• Braes of Balquhidder 2002
• Spittal O’ Glenshee 2003
• Glencarron 2004
• Isle of Mull 2005
• Inchnadamph 2006
• Glen Lochay 2007 and
• Glenfinnan 2008.

These LAMM events have provided unique challenges and unforgettable experiences for participants and organisers alike. Teams run in pairs and carry lightweight camping equipment, outdoor clothing and food to sustain themselves for 36 hours. There are six courses to choose from, ranging from Elite to Novice depending on ability and fitness. The aim is to visit each of the checkpoints on the course and the times for both days are aggregated to find a winner.

LAMM Organiser and Sponsors

The LAMM Event Organiser is Martin Stone and the sponsors are Lowe Alpine, SPORTident and Sidas. Lowe Alpine make outdoor equipment and clothing, e.g. rucksacks, fleeces and waterproofs. SPORTident equipment is used to identify, time and score competitors in many different types of event. Sidas manufacture insoles for everyday footwear as well as specific footbeds for skiing, walking, running, cycling and golf.

Share Your Experience!

Have you entered the LAMM or any other mountain marathon? If you have any stories or advice please share it, click on the “comments” link below!

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