'Big Bike Weekend' puts Kielder on map

By Gemma Somerville
The Hexham Courant
October 06, 2006

The International Mountain Biking Association held its first ever UK conference at Kielder last weekend, putting the area firmly on the map.

The biggest mountain bike gathering of its kind got under way on Friday at Kielder Water and Forest Park, with the event being declared 'Big Bike Weekend' to mark the occasion.

A two-day trail building conference was staged by the IMBA and attended by nearly 100 delegates from across the UK and Europe, with some from as far afield as the Czech Republic.

Delegates included tour-ism chiefs, land managers, route designers and bikers all committed to one of the nation's fastest growing pastimes.

Friday evening saw the opening of the conference marked with a banquet at Kielder Castle, the first held there in many years.

Issues under the spotlight at the conference included eco-friendly trail construction, community involvement, safety issues and the role biking can play in rural regeneration.

Keynote speakers included Louise Davis, head of tourism at One NorthEast, and Simon Hodgson, chief executive of Forest Enterprise.

Alex MacLennan, recreation and tourism manager for the Forestry Commission in the North-East, said: "Overall the event must have brought around 250 into the area, which is great.

"It exceeded our expectations and I'm sure the Big Bike Weekend will now become an annual event, staged at around the same time every year."

Saturday and Sunday saw activities which the public could join in, including an evening social ride which ran from Newcastleton back to Kielder Castle, attracting around 50 people.

Estimates suggest that around £10,000 of revenue was generated by the weekend. It included routes for beginners, families and experienced riders.

Mr MacLennan added: "The IMBA usually holds its conferences in Canada so this a large scale event.

"Kielder was chosen as the venue for their first ever UK conference and it has no doubt put the forest on the map."

Kielder recently saw the opening of its first ever purpose-built mountain bike trail, and funding has been secured for a 15-kilometre trail to the summit of Deadwater Fell.

A major push is underway to open up the wilderness to more bikers, benefiting the local economy.

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	'Big Bike Weekend' puts Kielder on map By Gemma Somerville The Hexham Courant October 06, 2006 The International Mountain Biking Association held its first ever UK conference at Kielder last weekend, putting the area firmly on the map. The biggest mountain bike gathering of its kind got under way on Friday at Kielder Water and Forest Park, with the event being declared 'Big Bike Weekend' to mark the occasion. A two-day trail building conference was staged by the IMBA and attended by nearly 100 delegates from across the UK and Europe, with some from as far afield as the Czech Republic. Delegates included tour-ism chiefs, land managers, route designers and bikers all committed to one of the nation's fastest growing pastimes. Friday evening saw the opening of the conference marked with a banquet at Kielder Castle, the first held there in many years. Issues under the spotlight at the conference included eco-friendly trail construction, community involvement, safety issues and the role biking can play in rural regeneration. Keynote speakers included Louise Davis, head of tourism at One NorthEast, and Simon Hodgson, chief executive of Forest Enterprise. Alex MacLennan, recreation and tourism manager for the Forestry Commission in the North-East, said: "Overall the event must have brought around 250 into the area, which is great. "It exceeded our expectations and I'm sure the Big Bike Weekend will now become an annual event, staged at around the same time every year." Saturday and Sunday saw activities which the public could join in, including an evening social ride which ran from Newcastleton back to Kielder Castle, attracting around 50 people. Estimates suggest that around £10,000 of revenue was generated by the weekend. It included routes for beginners, families and experienced riders. Mr MacLennan added: "The IMBA usually holds its conferences in Canada so this a large scale event. "Kielder was chosen as the venue for their first ever UK conference and it has no doubt put the forest on the map." Kielder recently saw the opening of its first ever purpose-built mountain bike trail, and funding has been secured for a 15-kilometre trail to the summit of Deadwater Fell. A major push is underway to open up the wilderness to more bikers, benefiting the local economy.


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