Plans to Keep Women on Wheels Biking Events Rolling On ...

News Release / 18.03.2011

The 7stanes ‘Women on Wheels’ mountain bike events have been so popular that plans are to be worked on to host more.

The series of events were designed to encourage more women to take that first step into off-road cycling in Dumfries and Galloway using the extensive 7stanes mountain bike trails.

The events at Ae, Mabie and lastly Kirroughtree (Sunday 13th March), were hailed as a great success by the ladies who attended.

Organised by Forestry Commission Scotland’s 7stanes team, the training sessions were funded and supported by Dumfries & Galloway Council and Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland.

Doug Knox, the Commission’s manager for 7stanes said: <i>We are so pleased that this programme of women only events has been such a success … the feedback we’ve had has been very positive. There’s no doubt that there is a real interest and demand for further events and work to offer this is being planned.”</i>

The group of local cycling businesses that worked with the Commission and Council to deliver the Women on Wheels events is now exploring how they can run further events.

The group is hopeful that if the demand is still high, more events can be planned for those who missed out and for those previous attendees who wish to learn more skills.

Ruth Asbery, of Bottle Green Biking, who was one of the tutors on Women on Wheels. She said: <I>“Women on Wheels has been a huge success for encouraging women to take up mountain biking. In order to further develop this series of events we would be keen to hear from interested companies or organisations that might be willing to sponsor a future series of Women on Wheels events.”</i>

Any company or organisation that is interested in an association and potential sponsorship of future Women on Wheels events is asked to contact Ruth Absery on ruth@bottlegreenbiking.co.uk. Ladies interested in future Women on Wheels events can also e-mail Ruth Asbery to register their interest.

Doug Knox added: <i>“The Commission will continue to support any future Women on Wheels events by ensuring the world famous 7stanes mountain bike trails are made available for events.”</i>

An element of the initiative which will continue is the Women on Wheels Facebook group which is already proving popular.

Ruth Asbery said: “We’d really like to encourage more women who would like to get into mountain biking to join the group at <a href="#" onClick="javascript:newsitewindow('http://www.facebook.com/groups/womenonwheels')" class="main">www.facebook.com/groups/womenonwheels</a>. By doing this the ladies can hear about any future events and meet up with others of similar cycling abilities to enjoy riding the great 7stanes trails in friendly company.”