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What Are the 7Stanes? the 7Stanes Are Cross-Country, All-Weather Trails, Attracting Visitors Year Round

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What Are the 7Stanes? the 7Stanes Are Cross-Country, All-Weather Trails, Attracting Visitors Year Round MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAILS MOUNTAIN What are the 7stanes? The 7stanes are cross-country, all-weather trails, attracting visitors year round. Innerleithen & Glentress in the Tweed Valley; Glentrool & Kirroughtree 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 MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAILS MOUNTAIN Some development ideas for businesses What can you do to attract mountain bikers to your business? stanes Research was commissioned in 2005 by VisitScotland and Forestry Commission Scotland on trends in Cycling and Mountain biking – have a look through it to see if there’s a product gap you can fill. http://www.scotexchange.net/cycling_summary_2005.pdf. • Offer a genuine, friendly welcome. • Consider the opportunities to increase your visitor numbers by packaging your local trail with other businesses in the • Do you have a secure bike rack for people visiting area, or with a specialist tour operator. your business? • A recommendation of good local eateries serving good • Sell bike guidebooks or maps of the area. Or have a library sized portions, which will be open late if necessary. where visitors can browse through guides. • Word of mouth is a very important information resource • Remember that the facilities you offer for mountain bikers for mountain bikers and a good experience spreads like are often similar to those needed by other active visitors – wildfire on web forums. Sign up to mountain bike or an investment in facilities for mountain bikers could also holiday forums/websites for firsthand knowledge of what benefit walkers, kayakers, touring cyclists and others. riders are looking for and the chance to help visitors prepare a great holiday. • Let visitors know the wealth of attractions on offer, to give them more reasons to return. • Could you stock some basic bicycle repair items if there isn’t a specialist shop near you? • A mixed party of non-bikers and keen bikers may need a different approach, requiring a range of local information: • Offer clear directions to the nearest trails. events and activities, music, arts, food and drink or shopping. www.7stanes.gov.uk • 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 MOUNTAIN 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.
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