The Scottish Mountain Bike Awards 2024 - The Winners!

Emma is the chair of the Badenoch and Strathspey Trails Association, over the last year they have been working to develop new trails and refresh some existing classics in the Cairngorms National Park. The trail work has all been conducted in environmentally sensitive areas and there has been additional thought and effort gone into the work to help not only provide improved riding experiences but also to enhance the environment for the protection and enhancement of all species including the endangered Capercaillie.

The work of BASTA, led by Emma, has been a part of was recently awarded the 'Best Project to Tackle Climate Change and Environmental Issues' at the European Network of Outdoor Sports Awards held in Italy in September 2024. This European recognition for the fantastic work by BASTA and partners is testament to the work of Emma, and the whole crew in BASTA.

Trail Wild MTB have developed an extremely positive relationship with the landowner (the Mortonhall Golf Club) to the extent that the golf club's estate manager regularly helps with maintenance of the trails the association have built, and even drops off mounds of earth from around their land to be used when digging. The group are seeing the positive benefit of the trails through their use, engagement of the youth in the area taking responsibility for their maintenance and a correlation with the reduction of antisocial behaviour and vandalism through passive surveillance of the people involved in the trails.

The group advocate sustainable use of the trails, and have involved the local primary school in getting out and helping to maintain the trails. In addition, one of the teenagers organised a week’s work placement with our Marc the Scottish Borders Trail Development Coordinator to find out more about his role and get involved in trail stewardship further afield. In fact a huge amount of the hard work has been down to a group of young teenagers with a passion for building trails. Really inspiring to see what they have achieved.

10 years in the making, The vision for Banchory Woodland Trails was that young riders in particular would benefit from quality, accessible, purpose built mountain bike trails giving them somewhere to be active and socialise on bikes while reducing the risk that was arising from unsanctioned trail building around the town.

Over the 10 years since Deeside Bike Collective was formed they have become a SCIO, secured planning permission, gained and a FLS community asset transfer, negotiated for the preferred site at Corsee Woods at the western edge of Banchory, secured funding to delivery and worked with local company CRC trails to deliver the vision.

A difficult build but pulling on the skills of the build team, the results so far have been amazing - increase levels of participation for a range of riders, easy local access to a purpose built facility, Volunteering trail maintenance sessions, opportunities for local coaches, guides and club participation. They are an integral part of the growing mountain biking scene in Aberdeenshire.

BMac, the grandmaster of tools, the grandfather of trails gives every bit of his free time to helping trail crews across Aberdeenshire. He been right by the side of ATA since the start and now sits on the committee handling Health and Safety, organizing training and managing the tools set. Provide a steady presence, and bringing fun to each dig day, spending time teaching new volunteers, he really is forward thinking about the future of trails.

He has the skills and innovation to create custom tools for not only the ATA, but Tarland Trails and CRC Trails team, making him single handedly the largest tool supplier in the NE of Scotland. He has put an immeasurable amount of hours into maintaining and improving trails, and without him, the trails would not be what they are today.

He may be the man who runs the bike shop at Ae, but he's more than that. Behind the scenes he's been central to supporting event organisers with the creation of many race courses, getting his hands dirty to make events happen.

Callum is one who just goes about quietly behind getting things done. Nothing is ever too much bother for him.

Callum has been focal in helping Ae Bike Association set up engaging and working with FLS. The relationship they have as a club with FLS has been built on good foundations over the years which Callum has been instrumental in.

It's the Callum's of this world that get things done. If you were to talk about well kept secrets then Callum and what he does is one of them. He's a star.

(Callum was not at the ceremony and his award will be presented to him by Kate Jackson of Scottish Cycling)

Originally formed in a garaged and to support the Wishawhill Wood Pump Track opening in 2018. The focus on tackling poverty is something that is different at Socialtrack. Breaking down barriers and kicking in doors to let some of Scotland’s poorest children take part in the best sport in the world.

They also went on to help host the 2019 Red Bull UK Qualifier for the World Pump Track Championships.

Socialtrack knew it had a task on it’s hands in tackling youth poverty in the post industrial towns of Wishaw, Motherwell and Bellshill, but they have always had a strong belief in what mountain biking and cycling could achieve in increasing opportunity out of poverty as well as all the good stuff it does for physical and mental health. Socialtrack has also delivered:-

• 40 Holiday Hunger Pump Track sessions to over 200 young people
• Continued Alternative Schooling Program (mountain biking, mechanics, bmx skills) to over 180 school pupils a week.
• An inclusive LGBTQ+ group every week for over 40 people.
• Youth employment program employing 2 young people under 18.
• Training 3 volunteers in Fundamental of Mountain Biking
• Setting up Socialtrack as a registered SCIO.
• Delivery of over 130 bikes to the community
• Delivery of environment, mental health and well being events reaching 1000’s

Wining the best Scottish MTB Destination for the 3rd year in a row - Aberdeenshire has a strong mountain bike community, proud to shout about their destination and advocate for increased tourism.

Set in the heart of Innerleithen and embracing the Tweed Valley MTB Scene, Cleikum Mill Lodge puts forward a fantastic offering in terms of location, facilities and efforts towards sustainability and destination promotion. With guests returning year on year, it is clear that the bike facilities and secure storage here, meet the needs of MTB population, and with trails almost on the door step, it is clear to see why this accommodation is so popular.

Graham and Miriam were not able to attend the award ceremony but their award will be presented to them by our Ed - the Scottish Borders Development Coordinator.

Jamie won in 2022 and again his friendly, honest appreciation of mountain biking, the trails and the people have seen him again take the award with a huge amount of votes. Some of the quotes received:-

• Original, honest and likeable. Lots of effort put into the content.
• The realism. He's a good rider, often riding with much better riders and absolutely enjoying every moment. He makes the sport feel super accessible, regardless of age or ability. And the fun shines through.
• Average rider and he's a nice bloke and loves his bike
• Very down to earth content. Doesn’t pretend to be a superstar rider and actually sounds like he is having fun riding too.
• He’s not irritated me yet.

Jamie was not able to be at the ceremony but the award will be presented to him this Friday by the Boss, Graeme McLean, at Glentress.

RideOut Coaching has established itself as one of the premier coaching and guiding companies in Scotland. Their commitment to high-quality service, innovation, and adaptability to market demands sets them apart. Bringing a fresh, fun, and feminine approach to the coaching and guiding landscape, prioritising the unique needs of each client recognizing that traditional coaching often focused solely on technical skills and physical prowess.

Operating across Moray, Highland, and Aberdeenshire, meeting the diverse needs of clients, collaborating with trail centres, trail associations, and key destinations, actively mentors new coaches and guides in the industry and doing everything with an infectious smile and enthusiasm.

Continuing to innovate and progress in both pet care and providing quality products for the dog loving rider Bark and Ride have brought their new Poochie Pouch Top Tube Bag designed for adventurous riders to store their furry companions necessities!

The aim of Black Isle MTB Club is to make sure that all members have the best and safest experience on bikes. They are going from strength to strength and have a waiting list of kids wanting to join.

They have been closely involved with the local trail association and have held dig days resulting in a brand new trail that they have since used for their first official mini DH race which was a huge success. They host an annual Funduro event and involve another local club in a bit of friendly competition which is always hugely appreciated, especially by the younger riders as for most of them this is their first taste of racing with proper number boards too. A number of club riders are regularly competing in Enduro events around the country and quite a few have now ventured into the world of Downhill racing (Hopefully following in the footsteps of previous members like Aimi Kenyon who is now racing at World Cup Level as well as Bethany McCully and Creag Muir!)!) with the SDA events.

They support senior club members to become leaders for the younger riders.

"I am so proud of this initiative which not only develops them as leaders but as riders too as they really have to think about how they are presenting themselves as role models to the younger club members. Its been great to see them take a real pride in this and has allowed us to retain riders who otherwise might have left the club earlier. It's great to see them giving back to the club which they have benefitted so much from. I think it's so cool to see young riders developing and going full circle in a sport they love."

We'll ask our Aimi - now working with us as part of Fresh Cuts - to present the award to her old Club.

An annual cycling festival held in Ballater, Aberdeenshire organised by 3 Ballater locals.

Designed to attract bikers and non-bikers; young and old and every age in between; all abilities; and people from all backgrounds and walks of life.

The event includes a bike village, a family zone, performances from The Clan Stuntshow, a range of food offerings, local businesses providing a range of products and a film night.

The festival is the biggest gathering of bike brands at any event in Scotland providing the opportunity for people to demo bikes, promoting the area, local businesses and outdoor activity.

Money raised through the event is invested back into the area through MTB trail maintenance and facilitating the accessibility of biking.

Aberdeenshire Trail Association supported the festival showing how local collaboration can help to maintain high use trails in sensitive areas.

An amazing year for this 23 year old rider from Crieff as he added stunning displays at the Olympics to a very solid year round performance in XC and XCO cementing his status as one of the most promising riders in the world.

What a year for this young rider on the Muc Off Young Guns programme with wins on home soil and abroad in World Cup and British National level events setting an incredible example for future Scottish stars!