Tales from the Trails - Fort William

Tales from the Trails - 2023 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships Fringe Events

Inspiring tales of how mountain bike trails are changing places and people both globally and locally.

As part of the UCI 2023 Cycling World Championships Fringe Programme in the mountain bike host destinations of Fort William and Tweed Valley, we (Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland - DMBinS) have collated two evenings of inspiring speakers and films of global and local leaders who will tell stories of how trails are having a positive impact in communities.

All profits from the evenings will be put back into our trail network through the Scottish Trail Fund.

Fort William, Highland Cinema – Friday 4th August 7-9pm

Tweed Valley, Eastgate Theatre – Tuesday 8th August 7.30-9.30pm (get tickets now)

Speakers

Gary Vernon, the Director of Investments in Outdoor Recreation/Trail Innovation with the Walton Family Foundation from Bentonville, Arkansas (the world mountain bike capital) will tell the story of how 100’s of km’s of mountain bike trails have helped connect communities, support local businesses, and helped encourage young people to stay in a rural area, and many professionals to relocate there. (Fort William and Tweed Valley)

Hannah Barnes (FW), Manon Carpenter (TV), Fanie Kok, and Tommy Wilkinson of Specialized Soil Searching will discuss this industry led approach to inspiring and rewarding the heroes of mountain biking: the trail builders. Featuring amazing videos and some of the most informative, enthused and motivating speakers in the world of mountain biking. There will also be the chance to win a Limited Edition Specialized Soil Searching Stumpjumper Evo(Fort William and Tweed Valley) (Buy your raffle ticket now!)

Alex Rafferty, SRAM, will talk about his excitement of a new project and how he hopes it will support Trails Associations across the UK to secure and sustain our trail network. (Fort William and Tweed Valley)

Cairngorms Trail Feathers, is an amazing innovative project that is working with the Badenoch & Strathspey Trails Association (BASTA), environmental protection groups, the UK largest national park authority, and DMBinS to create a new approach to mountain bike trails that meets the needs of local and visiting mountain bikers whilst enhancing the survival chances of one of Scotland’s most iconic species, the Capercaillie. (Fort William only)

Ronan Taylor, of Raylor's Trail Design an d Tuition, will present on his trail projects across the Highlands and Perthshire including his redesign of the MTB World Cup track at Nevis Range, the new trails at Cairngorm Mountain, and how he is working with his local Highland community to build trails for the local scene. (Fort William only)

Peebles High School, Tweed Valley Trails Association/DMBinS, Forestry and Land Scotland, and young people will share their experience of running a pilot project where the local Peebles High School worked with the land manager (FLS) and the local trails association (TVTA) to work on trails in local forests and the world champs course itself. (Tweed Valley only)

Ticketing

We understand that times are challenging. We are operating a tiered structure where we are asking riders to pay either £10, £12, or £15 depending on what they can afford.

We will also have 5 free tickets per venue for anyone who wishes to attend but cost is the barrier. Please email colena.cotter@scottishcycling.org.uk if you require more information.

All profits from the evenings will go to the Scottish Trail Fund to help support trail development across Scotland.

Tickets are available here for Fort William and Tweed Valley.