MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAILS What are the ? The 7stanes are cross-country, all-weather trails, attracting visitors year round. & Glentress in the Tweed Valley; Glentrool & in Galloway; Ae, Mabie & Dalbeattie in the Dumfries area; Newcastleton in the Borders. stanes

By spring 2008, the 7stanes project will have developed over 400km of mountain bike (MTB) trail, of which more than half will be on purpose-built singletrack trail.

Scotland was named as 'one of the hottest places to ride in the world', by the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) in 2004, with 7stanes playing a key part in the country gaining this reputation.

Around 500,000 visitors come to the 7stanes for day-trips, weekend breaks and holidays every year (2005 figures). Many come specifically for mountain biking, while others participate as part of a more general holiday to the area.

Other places to ride in South Mountain biking - a snapshot Scotland, ‘Scotland’s Biking Heaven’ Mountain biking is a popular and growing sport in the UK In addition to the 7stanes trails, popular mountain biking and internationally, with an estimated 5.5m mountain bikers routes include the Drumlanrig trail on the Buccleuch Estates, in the UK. the Justice Trails at Jedforest, Ae Downhill and the Red Bull Downhill at Innerleithen. Mountain bikers are not all the same. The sport of mountain biking is made up of several different disciplines. 7stanes As befits the region where the bike was invented, the south offers opportunities for: of Scotland also offers miles of forest roads, cycle trails and quiet country roads, to suit every cyclist’s taste and ability. • Cross-country trail riders (the majority of riders); • Downhillers (prefer fast descents on downhill tracks, with an uplift to get their bikes back to the top again - just like skiers). • Freeride bikers (use jump parks and freeride areas – this discipline is similar to BMX)

Downhill mountain biking in the South of Scotland takes place at specific weekends when an uplift service runs via two privately-owned businesses – these are at Ae and Innerleithen.**

**at time of going to print, these services are suspended, due to a national health & safety review by Forestry Commission Scotland, with the goal of offering a better, www.7stanes.gov.uk safer service in the near future. How does 7stanes benefit Consumer trends research

Scotland’s tourism? A report by the Henley Centre, commissioned by Scottish Enterprise, has identified some key themes for Scottish tourism Total visitor numbers at 7stanes sites in the 21st century: how can these changes in consumers’ (These figures from 2005 include walkers, cyclists, needs and desires influence your actions and those of other horse-riders, wildlife watchers and others) businesses in the 7stanes area? Glentress 254,500 visitors • Consumers are getting older, but they are also fitter and more Innerleithen 40,000 visitors likely to travel. We are all seeking to stay younger for longer Kirroughtree 71,000 visitors and be more fulfilled, so are looking for new, holistic Ae 22,000 visitors experiences which will feed both body and soul. Mabie 63,000 visitors Dalbeattie 65,000 visitors • People are actively searching for new experiences, something they haven’t done before, which will enrich their lives and give Glentrool and Newcastleton were opened at the end of 2005, them something to talk about for years to come. so figures are not yet available. (2005 figures – not all are mountain bikers) • Excellent service is essential in all destinations. Consumers This is still a growing market and total visitor numbers across now expect clean, comfortable facilities and competent staff the 7stanes sites may exceed 650,000 by the end of 2008, as standard, so they make their choices based on the quality if growth continues at the present rate. of the experience.

Further information on this and other research available on www.visitscotland.org

How does cycling/mountain biking compare with other activities?

You can find many more statistics about niche markets on the www.visitscotland.org website, but here are a few relevant figures. Please note: these figures include all forms of holiday cycling and are from 2003, before 7stanes.

UK visitors to Scotland - breakdown by activity

Total number Total value to Average number Average spend Average spend of trips Scotland (£millions) of nights per trip (£) per night (£)

Activity as main purpose or part of holiday main part main part main part

Cycling/MTB 1,000,000 £219 m 65£200 £221 £33 £41

Fishing 900,000 £241 m 55£290 £261 £58 £49

Golf 1,1000,000 £339 m 55£440 £282 £98 £56

Walking 4,200,000 £1,077 m 75£313 £251 £46 £50

All holiday trips 11,400,000 £2,431 m 4 £213 £54

Based on 2003 figures for UK visitors to Scotland t MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAILS ’ stanes wildfire on web forums. Sign up to mountain bike or Consider the opportunities to increase your visitor numbers Consider the opportunities to increase your by packaging your local trail with other businesses in the area, or with a specialist tour operator. A recommendation of good local eateries serving good sized portions, which will be open late if necessary. of mouth is a very important information resource Word for mountain bikers and a good experience spreads like holiday forums/websites for firsthand knowledge of what riders are looking for and the chance to help visitors prepare a great holiday. Could you stock some basic bicycle repair items if there isn a specialist shop near you? Offer clear directions to the nearest trails. s a product gap you can fill. s a product gap you • • • • • ’

– have a look through it to see if there have a look through –

them more reasons to return. Offer a genuine, friendly welcome. Do you have a secure bike rack for people visiting your business? Sell bike guidebooks or maps of the area. Or have a library where visitors can browse through guides. are often similar to those needed by other active visitors an investment in facilities for mountain bikers could also benefit walkers, kayakers, touring cyclists and others. to give Let visitors know the wealth of attractions on offer, A mixed party of non-bikers and keen bikers may need a different approach, requiring a range of local information: events and activities, music, arts, food and drink or shopping. Remember that the facilities you offer for mountain bikers • • • •

http://www.scotexchange.net/cycling_summary_2005.pdf. www.7stanes.gov.uk • • Research was commissioned in 2005 by VisitScotland and Forestry Commission Scotland on trends Commission in 2005 by VisitScotland and Forestry Research was commissioned biking in Cycling and Mountain for businesses for to your business? do to attract mountain bikers What can you Some development ideas ideas development Some • Access to other information: ensure you can suggest other • Access to information: a big OS map or area map in the hall things to see and do, especially if your guests include or guest lounge is popular; trail maps, knowledge of what non-mountain biking members of a party. kind of riding they will find on each trail; where facilities are available. • Could you offer transport for guests to/from 7stanes sites? Driving Standards Agency can offer advice: • Provide internet access and print off a daily weather forecast www.dsa.gov.uk; for information on Civic Government to put on your notice board. Licensing: www.dumgal.gov.uk or www.scotborders.gov.uk. • Work with other local businesses on ideas to offer great • Ensure that accommodation providers, caravan parks etc service and keep money local. are aware of your services (particularly prices and opening hours, if you have a restaurant, pub or café). Offering meals later into the evening can bring in more trade from Bike Hire mountain bikers keen to get more riding in before they finish for the day. If you’re considering offering equipment for hire.

• Share your success stories: a good idea which has worked • For guidance on what is required if you decide to offer for you may work for other local businesses, too. bike hire, the Cyclists Touring Club (CTC) is a good first point of contact: www.ctc.org.uk • Ensure that you can offer energy foods – drinks and bars, cereal bars, bananas etc. Use and promote local produce • Public liability insurance is necessary: www.abi.org.uk wherever possible. • Could you offer bike carriers, tagalongs, or other • Can you offer a packed lunch service to nearby equipment for hire? accommodation providers: late order and early delivery?

• Forestry Commission Scotland will soon have a short DVD of mountain biking, suitable for continuous playing in public areas or lending to guests. Do you have a computer or TV where you could use this? Contact the 7stanes office for more information. MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAILS Development ideas for Accommodation Providers stanes

What can you do to attract mountain bikers to your business? In addition to the ideas already mentioned, there are specific opportunities for accommodation providers across the 7stanes area.

Accommodation for mountain bikers ranges from campsites through to B&Bs, self-catering and all types of hotels. Some of this market has relatively high disposable income and is looking for a degree of comfort along with value for money.

• Bikes are like babies: many of our mountain biking visitors • A workstand in a well-lit, dry building, with a selection of tools have spent thousands on the best bike they can afford and available for use want to know that their pride and joy is going to be clean and safe wherever they stay. Secure facilities with lockable bike • A good shower! Bikers are often grubby and sweaty by the racks are essential for keeping bikes overnight - a garage, end of the day and want to clean up before dinner. a shed or a basement could all be transformed into added value for your business. • Provide early breakfasts/nutritious packed lunches for cyclists – they need a lot of energy for a day on the trails, • A place to wash off bikes – a hose and brushes would so generous portions of high carbohydrate foods, fruit/nuts be ideal. & non-fizzy drinks will keep them out on the trails longer.

• Becoming a part of the VisitScotland “Cyclists Welcome” • A drying room for clothing, shoes and other kit. This will scheme will go a long way to ensuring you’re offering the keep all their dirty kit out of the bedrooms, ensuring they right facilities to attract mountain bikers. have a more comfortable stay, and the mud is kept out of your rooms. • Have a fact-file of local biking opportunities, bike hire companies, bike shops, trails, guides, transportation options and tuition. If you recommend other businesses, they’re likely to recommend you.

www.7stanes.gov.uk • The option of a service to have muddy clothes washed and Some more findings from the dried for the next day’s activities or access to a washing machine. Some specific mountain bike clothing can be Henley report: damaged by heat, so spin-driers are preferable to tumble-driers for some items. • We now measure our success by the quality of our lives rather than on our material wealth: ‘being’ is considered to • When replacing furniture, you could consider ‘zip & link’ be more important than ‘having’. beds, common in hotels, which can be either double or twin – making rooms much more flexible. • In Scotland, we offer a welcome, landscape, local produce and overall experience which is unique. Visitors appreciate • Provide a list of local businesses which will deliver food and authenticity and the chance to be part of the ‘real’ drink to the property; make web access/Wi Fi available so Scotland. visitors can order online, or offer to pick up orders for them. • Customers use the internet to take control of and influence • Speak to your VisitScotland Quality Advisor about entering their choices. The content of many websites is now the “Cyclists Welcome” scheme and provided by consumer feedback, rather than the ‘official’ for the top tips available to improve the opinions of companies or organisations, and is often product you offer visitors. For criteria perceived as unbiased. or more information on this and the other Welcome schemes: • Scotland’s natural landscape, scenery and activities are our [email protected] biggest attractions and can be used in a variety of ways by many different types of business to add to their visitor’s • Events can prove to be a very effective way to bring in extra experience. business. There are several planned for the 7stanes in 2008, including: TransScotland, Selkirk Merida, Dalbeattie Find more details on these and other consumer research on Hardrock Challenge and 10 in Kirroughtree. These www.visitscotland.org attract anywhere between 150 and 1000 competitors, many from outside the area, often with other family and friends accompanying them.

Most organised events last just one day, so there is potential to increase the length of stay by offering visitors something extra on the day before or after an event (eg pasta party the night before). Work with other local businesses to create more reasons to stay longer. MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAILS stanes www.baha.org.uk (British Activity Holiday Association) (British Activity Holiday www.baha.org.uk www.7stanes.gov.uk www.visitscotland.com/adventure www.visitscotland.com/mountainbiking www.visitscotland.com/cycling www.visitdumfriesandgalloway.co.uk www.visitscottishborders.com www.visitdumfriesandgalloway.co.uk/cycling/cyclingbreaks/ www.bikingheaven.com www.visitsouthwestscotland.com/ www.7stanes.com www.visittweeddale.com (tour operator) www.mb7.com www.bikemagic.com www.singletrackworld.com www.mbuk.com www.mountainbikerider.co.uk www.trailbreak.co.uk www.ctc.org.uk www.thecyclepeople.co.uk Other useful site: Official 7stanes site: Official VisitScotland sites: Independent local sites: Biking sites:

The following sample list of websites includes some of general The following sample list of websites includes interest and others which include sections where can place adverts. accommodation and other service providers • The 7stanes project cannot accept responsibility for the accuracy or content of any other than the official 7stanes website. • • • • website and many other Scottish or local sites, website and many re ’ s ’ s ’ le wants. è www.7stanes.gov.uk re up to date with what ’ re giving the right first ’ what are your key selling points? – s a successful ’ re mentioned on your community or local ’ you must ensure you

– re keen, you could subscribe to the free e-newsletters ’

Put to 7stanes (or to your local 7stanes trail) on your a link Negotiate a link from a community site to your own website, where you have the opportunity to put your full message across. impression: showing pictures of someone with a bike, impression: showing pictures of someone packed mentioning your early breakfasts or home-cooked the lunches, your drying room or lockup can reassure visitor and make them more likely to book. happening in the mountain biking world. Ensure you While 7stanes cannot link to an individual business websites, we can link to sites which are representative of Even in a short listing, you can a wide local community. attract mountain bikers business association websites. Your website/webpage may be the first stop for mountain website/webpage may be the first stop for mountain Your bikers own website. We can provide you with a special weblink own website. We office for details. logo for this purpose. Contact the 7stanes Add some links to other key MTB websites, to show you from these sites, to ensure you If you genuinely interested in what your client • While there •

• • www.7stanes.gov.uk Weblinks to 7stanes/MTB sites to 7stanes/MTB Weblinks • Online mountain bikers mountain & tips to reach to & tips Some marketing hints hints marketing Some many keen mountain bikers get their information on where to go from the forums on the many keen mountain bikers get Many people use the forums as their first port of call in deciding mountain biking portal websites. biking, and the replies are generally from those who have where to stay when they go mountain by somewhere in the past. been impressed (or disappointed) • • Offline Contact Details

• If you have printed promotional material, ensure you For more information on mountain biking and the 7stanes, mention 7stanes, cycling or mountain biking in it, or include the 7stanes business newsletter or network group, or to some photos which illustrate how welcoming you are to arrange a guided bike ride for you or your staff, contact Julie mountain bikers. Cartner, 7stanes Lead Development Co-ordinator: 7stanes office, Forestry Commission Scotland, 55/57 Moffat Road, • Mountain biking magazines are another potential route for Dumfries DG1 1NP Tel: 01387 272440 or email: advertising. Top titles include: What Mountain Bike, MBR [email protected] (Mountain Bike Rider), MBUK (Mountain Biking UK), Dirt, Singletrack. For more information on business advice and support, contact your local Business Gateway Advisor: www.bgateway.com or 0845 609 6611 • VisitScotland have a variety of opportunities for promotion to visitors, as part of their seasonal or themed campaigns – For more information on marketing opportunities, or your local speak to your VisitScotland Business Relationship Manager VisitScotland contact details, go to www.visitscotland.org for more information.

To access the 7stanes business portal, or to download • VisitScotland invite journalists from the UK and overseas updated sheets for this pack: www.7stanes.gov.uk, to Scotland throughout the year. Some of these trips may click on the ‘business’ button. be themed around activities, so your product could play a vital part in a successful press trip. If you’re interested This Business Development Pack has been a collaboration in taking part, speak to your VisitScotland contact. between a number of agencies and organisations, with the aim of ensuring that businesses throughout the South of Scotland • Forestry Commission Scotland will consider applications are given the greatest possible support to maximise any from quality businesses for a licence to use the 7stanes opportunities arising from the 7stanes mountain biking or other FCS logo, for retail or promotional purposes. trails network. Contact the 7stanes office for further information. The 7stanes business development partners are: • For further advice on new product development or 7stanes project, Business Gateway , marketing, contact either your Business Gateway or Scottish Enterprise Borders, Scottish Enterprise Dumfries and VisitScotland advisor. Galloway, Council, Dumfries & Galloway Council, Dumfries Chamber of Commerce, Scottish Borders Chamber of Commerce, Forestry Commission Scotland, VisitScotland Dumfries & Galloway, VisitScotland Borders MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAILS stanes The location. Spittal Farm backs onto backs onto The location. Spittal Farm the cycle track from Creetown to Newton Stewart via Kirroughtree, one of the 7stanes mountain bike locations. Informal discussion with mountain biking friends suggested that this was a market worth considering. First bookings taken for end April 2006. Bookings have exceeded goals for 2006. Why: Completed: Successes: Oct. –

Three star self-catering Three star self-catering Welcome) (Cyclists & Walkers cottages, offering new self-catering Two flexible accommodation, attracting a range of markets and year round business; short breaks stays May during winter; week-long Kerr & Jane Fisher Kerr www.cottageguide.co.uk/spittalcottages/ (their own website is under construction at the moment). Self-Catering Spittal Cottages, Spittal Farm, Creetown, Newton Stewart DG8 7DE 01671 820 224 Tel:

www.7stanes.gov.uk What: Grading: Web: Owners: Business Name: Sector:

Spittal Cottages Case Study 1 Study Case 1. Planning & Development 3. Quality

From the start, the Fishers engaged with Business Gateway, Cleanliness is the most important thing in accommodation – receiving advice on business planning and assistance with visitors should feel as if they’re the first people ever to stay in applications. the property.

Business Gateway was also able to provide research into the Keep a visitors book – listen to what your guests say and act cycling market, which resulted in them developing separate on their feedback. purpose-built drying and secure storage facilities. The Fishers always aim to welcome their guests in person VisitScotland was contacted early in the planning process, to and to see them again before they leave However, they also ensure that quality standards would be met and that the size judge how sociable visitors want to be and act accordingly of house and facilities would meet the needs of the broadest during their stay. possible market.

The Fishers also studied the criteria necessary for the VisitScotland Cyclists Welcome scheme, so that they would offer as much added value as possible for their chosen target market.

Although the cottages have not yet been submitted for the Green Tourism Business Scheme, they have been built with the environment in mind and being a part of the scheme within the near future.

2. Promotion

Although still in the building stage, Spittal Cottages chose to be registered as Awaiting Inspection (with an artist’s 4. Jane’s Top Tips impression), during late summer 2005, so that they could feature in the VisitScotland Dumfries & Galloway Where To • Research your market & what help and funding is available Stay guide for 2006. From the same time, they were listed on visitscotland.com. • Use your local Business Gateway & VisitScotland office

They have registered with a few websites and booking • Develop a business plan agencies, often on the recommendation of other self-catering providers, who will have first-hand experience of how each • Network with other like-minded businesses system works. • Talk to and listen to your customers, keep a visitors book During the planning phase, visits to other self-catering businesses in the area and learning from them was an • Allow more time than you think for the project to become important planning tool. This networking has also led to a reality them receiving some bookings from these businesses. • Retain a sense of humour Evaluation is key: know where your marketing money has gone and how much business each promotional activity • Go for it! has brought in. MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAILS t too busy. ’ stanes ve already checked out. ’ The cottages have very efficient insulation installed, low energy and combi boilers. light-bulbs 1. Background (two miles Jan Haydock has been running Winkston Farmhouse as an accommodation business for 25 years. north of Peebles) three spend on mountain bike facilities: £500 over the past Total her bike store lock, years. Jan has invested £170 to strengthen on a hose suitable £200 on a sturdy wooden bike rack and £30 In addition, for cleaning mountain bikes and rinsing muddy gear. riders can work on their bikes in the farmyard and she offers a washer and dryer for cycle clothing, an early breakfast option, a packed lunch option, lifts into town for evenings, late arrival/early departure and, when possible, a hot shower before visitors head home, even if they in this The secure store is the thing most riders are looking for, The case a simple rack in a dedicated store with an iron door. key is held by Jan, so that riders are safe in the knowledge that no-one else has access to their bikes. Jan believes that it is her flexibility that convinces mountain return to Winkston when bikers to stay at and, more importantly, As she has a B&B as Valley. they mountain bike in the Tweed offer breakfast as an optional extra she can well as self-catering, the B&B isn visitors, provided to self-catering

Proximity to Glentress. Over the past five years Jan had noticed a sharp rise in mountain biking visitors to the area, with more visitors using accommodation in the area to make the most of the Peebles facilities at Glentress. Four star self-catering (also three star B&B) star self-catering Four Welcome) (Cyclists & Walkers cottages providing for up to self-catering Two eight people and Bed & Breakfast with six beds in three rooms. Jan Haydock www.winkstonholidays.co.uk Self-Catering/B&B Winkston Farm, Edinburgh Road EH45 8PH Peebles 01721 721264 Tel: [email protected]

www.7stanes.gov.uk Why: What: Grading: Owners: Web: Business Name: Sector:

Winkston Farm Case Study 2 Study Case 2. Business results 4. Quality

In the past three years Jan estimates a 30% increase in Every spring, Winkston’s décor is refreshed. Jan is conscious annual occupancy from mountain bikers, including a 40 - 50% that standards change and she changes with it – shabbiness increase in off-peak occupancy. Annually, she estimates that is unacceptable. around one in three guests is a mountain biker, with as many as two in three mountain bikers in the off-peak season. When considering her accommodation, she asks herself, ‘Is this somewhere I’d like to stay?’ and ensures the answer Jan has built up a base of repeat visitors over the years, is always ‘yes’. including those interested in walking, the countryside and gardens. She finds that many visitors, while enjoying the tranquillity of the Borders, will also spend a day out in 5. Jan’s top tips Edinburgh – most follow her suggestion of taking the bus, leaving their car at Winkston to enjoy a relaxing trip to the city. • Be flexible in your approach to hospitality (arrival & departure times, meal times etc).

3. Marketing & promotion • Offer a quality product: even if your visitors are looking for something inexpensive, they’re looking for quality. Look Jan’s strongest marketing is through word-of-mouth, with a high around and ask yourself if you would be happy to proportion of return guests, including good feedback as a result stay there. of keen mountain bikers spreading the word. She finds that a lot of guests pick up her business card to pass to friends. • Take care of your customer and they’ll take care of your business: find out what they’re interested in and source She is also listed on visitscotland.com and in the VisitScotland local information to suit, offer to give them a lift into town, Where To Stay guides (her overseas visitors frequently use these). keep a bus timetable handy.

Jan is also working with a local tour operator, promoted at • Make it easy for your visitors to book, stay and enjoy. www.MB7.com alongside other bike-friendly providers. MB7 says, “We use Jan’s accommodation as part of our holiday • Use common sense to maximise your business: during the packages which bring guests from around the UK and Ireland winter, Jan’s cottages have a minimum stay of only two to her business. We have noticed mountain bikers we have nights. This does mean more work for her, but she thinks brought to Jan recommending her accommodation on web it’s better that they are aired and used for lots of shorter forums and bringing friends back in successive years. Friendly, breaks throughout the winter than sitting empty, not flexible, bike-friendly accommodation is without doubt a key part working for her. of an enjoyable 7stanes mountain biking adventure.”

• Mountain bikers can be quite demanding, but they share She occasionally advertises in newspapers (e.g. the Scotsman), information and advice easily – if your business offers what and, when possible, asks visitors where they found out about they want, they’ll tell other people about you. Winkston, so that she is able to measure the success of each activity.

Winkston’s website was professionally-designed. While it took a few months to start paying dividends, it now works very well for the business. MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAILS stanes .

How long did you stay in the 7stanes area? Saturday to Saturday (one week). Which mountain bike centres did you visit on your trip? Glentress Innerleithen Newcastleton Kirroughtree Q: A: Some stayed for fewer than seven days Q: A: didn’t do any other activities. It was during They rode every day, the Football World Cup, so evenings were generally spent in front of the the TV outside in the garden.

Please provide a general description of your trip with as much info as you can. are a collection of friends from late twenties to early We 40's: I guess the average age must be 35-ish. Last year we all went to Morzine, but some of the group could not afford to repeat this year so we thought we would try Scotland out.

www.7stanes.gov.uk These are very keen mountainbikers, with bikes worth from £2000 - £5000 each. They knew of the 7stanes from reading mountain biking magazines and thought it was the only place they could spend a really varied week riding. They spent hours on the internet looking for suitable accommodation, until they came across an property. ideal self-catering A: Q: Q&A The Witt party, summer 2006 summer The Witt party, as possible about their trip to the South the party of eight to tell us as much asked We information. them again to ask for additional of Scotland, then contacted The consumers Case Study 3 Study Case Q&A

Q: What other businesses did you use during your trip Q: Where did you travel from? (cafés, taxis, restaurants, bars, shops etc) and if possible roughly how much did you spend with each? A: Surrey, London, Bristol and Wirral. Three cars drove up, from London, from Bristol and the Wirral and two people A: Main spend was food and drink. Spent £380 on a Tesco's flew to Edinburgh. Direct shop which was delivered on our first afternoon. We then spent £200 in Safeway on other bits. The two people who flew had their bikes transported by friends Plus: travelling by car, so there was no need to take them on £50 on meat from local Peebles butcher. the plane. £50 on takeout pizzas. £200 at The Hub bike shop. £200 at Innerleithen bike shop. Q: Which accommodation did you use as a base? £500 of petrol/diesel to get to and around Scotland.

A: A self-catering near Peebles. Estimated total: £300 per person for one week = £42.80 per person per day. We asked how that compared with their spend last year in Morzine – their estimated spend was about £600 each. Q: What made you decide to stay at your chosen accommodation? Average UK visitor spend in Scotland per night is £56, per trip £202. In a Borders context: average UK spend per night is A: Only place I could find that could house eight people - £48, per trip is £164. too old to camp for a week!!

While they weren’t aware of the Cyclists Welcome scheme, the Q: Do you think you will return, do you know when, and most important elements they looked for in accommodation (and why will you return? had found easily last year in Morzine) were somewhere secure to lock their bikes and a place to wash their muddy clothes A: Return yes - not sure if for a whole week. We all want to and equipment. do Kirroughtree again as this was a special place and nearer to the south. Long weekend most probable, next spring. Next year for our full week we want to go Morzine Q: How much did you spend on your accommodation? again as this takes it to the next level!!

A: £700 for two adjoining cottages. We asked what they meant by ‘the next level’. It’s difficult to quantify, but they feel that they’ve ‘done’ 7stanes and, for the more experienced riders, the manmade trails were relatively Q: What did you like about your accommodation and easy to ‘conquer’. In Morzine, they know that there’s a lot of would you have changed/added anything? ‘off-piste’ or wild mountainbiking, with guides available to really push them to explore. Morzine is percieved as offering a A: Likes:- greater challenge, where they can do up to 50 miles per day. For eight people, the flexibility of having two different living Having been ‘beaten’ by Morzine last time, they want to return spaces was really positive, as we used one as a dining- to see if they can beat it in 2007, particularly the ‘massively kitchen and one as a living room. different’ downhill trails there. Having two of everything between eight people. Access to washing machine and dryer. In terms of facilities, they’ve found a hotel in Morzine, run by an Our hosts’ "what ever you need" attitude. English couple, with a secure store, bike wash and great value Bike lock-up. serviced laundry and hope to return there. Hose to clean bikes. Undercover area for cars. Additional information: Morzine is a ski resort in the French BBQ area. Alps, south of Lake Geneva, and is already a very famous mountain biking destination. Dislikes:- Beds could be improved: having doubles was not good for Explore the competition at: www.morzine.com, blokes sharing!! www.morzine-mtb.com. We would have gladly paid for our kit to be washed overnight (Morzine accommodation did this, charged us £5 each for the week for washing of shirts).