THIS weekend at Nevis Range, in the ‘Outdoor Capital of the UK’, 1,200 mountain bikers pedalled in excess of 30,000 miles between them, getting them more than once around the world, without a cloud of ash in sight… but with plenty of mud!
This year’s Benromach 10 Under the Ben cross country mountain bike endurance event coincided with the opening of the Off Beat Downhill Track at Nevis Range, now legendary for being one of the most challenging courses on the UCI World Cup circuit.
The Downhill trail opened for the season on Saturday and riders used the Nevis Range mountain gondola, the only one of its kind in the UK, to transport them and their bikes up the slopes of Aonach Mor, to the start of the trail. Over the weekend, almost 250 riders lapped the 2.82km track multiple times.
10 Under the Ben challenges riders to compete the most laps of the tough cross country course in the Leanachan Forest in 10 hours. By the end of the ten hours, over 950 riders had completed 3,155 laps of the 8.8-mile course between them.
Marian Austin, managing director of Nevis Range, said: ‘There was a real buzz here at Nevis Range over the weekend. Starting on the Friday evening when the 10 Under the Ben competitors registered at 650m at the top of the gondola, the excitement continued into Saturday when the race kicked off and we opened the gondola up to downhill mountain bikers and their bikes.
“We also had almost 2,000 regular visitors during the weekend taking the gondola trip up the mountain to enjoy the breathtaking views. They all joined in the exciting atmosphere of the mountain biking weekend.”
ENDS
Pictures
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Further information
Heather Negus
Marketing Manager
Nevis Range
marketing@nevisrange.co.uk
01397 705825 / 07900 224068
Notes to News Editors
The Off Beat downhill trail at Nevis Range is home to the Mountain Bike World Cup www.fortwilliamworldcup.co.uk, which takes place this year during the first weekend in June and a number of other Mountain bike races and endurance events. The fastest recorded time in 2009 on the track was less than 4 minutes, 39 seconds.
Nevis Range is located in the Outdoor Capital of the UK. www.outdoorcapital.co.uk
Nevis Range enjoyed a successful winter season with almost 35,000 snowsport visitors, the highest since 2001.
Nevis Range has adopted a Gaelic Language Plan and is working with Bord Na Gaidhlig to achieve its implementation.
MEDIA RELEASE posted by Nevis Range You too can post media releases (aka press releases) on allmediascotland.com. For more information, email here.
Contact: Heather Negus
Phone: 01397 705825
Email: marketing@nevisrange.co.uk
Website: http://www.nevisrange.co.uk
