JULY 2010: The Launch Party was advertised and supported by Spinal Injuries Scotland With an article written for their blog pages. The web log also supported the brand new Taster Day scheme, unique in the UK. People are now able to book a full day of riding, with a coach, to experience some of the thrills and skills of four wheeled dh biking!

Click here to read the full article.

----------------------------------------

JUNE 2010: An article featured in the Lancashire Evening Post newspaper and also online, publishing details of the new Rough Riderz Taster Day scheme. The item advertised our Launch Party event at Whinlatter and gave more information about how to book a "taster session" with the club.

Click here to read the full article.

----------------------------------------

OCTOBER 2009: The founder member of Rough Riderz, Phil Hall, was interviewed on an Austrian radio station by DJ Chris Cummins. He contacted us as he often writes stories on mountain biking for Radio FM4 and wanted to do a telephone interview about the club, the bikes, the goals, etc. which he could turn into an audio and web story.

EXCERPT:To ride these bikes Phil says you have to have great upper body strength. It's a deceptively physical activity. The riders are strapped tightly into the fibre-glass seat so the bike can respond to every twist of the upper body. And you need strong arms to grip the handle-bars over the rugged terrain. The riders then pull back hard on the nose-heavy bikes when hitting the lip of a jump and thrown their weight to the back of the back to ensure a smooth trajectory on landing.

Click here to read the full article.

Full radio interview available online soon.

----------------------------------------

SEPTEMBER 2009: The Guardian newspaper's online bike blog reports that wheelchair users are now finding their own way onto challenging mountain bike trails. Featuring an article on the club, it explains that Rough Riderz aims to improve routes and facilities and encourage more disabled people to hit the trails.

EXCERPT:Riders roll on to the track using manual propulsion, and from then on, it's all about gauging speed and maintaining it. This is a difficult skill which, if you've ever tried to "no pedal race" your mates on a track, you will appreciate. But if skilled, like Phil, you can find yourself hurtling around at up to 30mph, primarily on downhill trails rather than cross-country routes which require a lot of pedalling.

Click here to read the full article.

----------------------------------------

SEPTEMBER 2009: Rough Riderz featured in an online blog from PedalFeet that reported on our All-Abilities Day at Ae Forest. This was originally intended as an article for the Guardian's bike blog, but unfortunately it failed to get published in time!

EXCERPT:Sometimes words fail me (admittedly not often) and sometimes, editorial decisions seem to me to be slightly suspect. Here is a blog I did last week for the Guardian's bike blog which never made it onto the site in time and for this I am (breathes deeply) very sorry. Had I known it wouldn't be published in time, I would have run it on Friday. Anyway, with a few amendments it still reads ok. Plus Phil is a legend and is seriously fast.

'I was a motorbike rider before my accident, I love going fast. I went to the USA and tried the sport of gravity MTBing. There are very few sports that offer this level of adrenaline and danger to wheelchair users.'

Click here to read the full article.

----------------------------------------

SEPTEMBER 2009: The BBC News website featured the club in a report about the All-Abilities Day. They reported that over 80 people took part in the event on Saturday, with disabled riders trying different forest trails at Ae Forest in Dumfries and Galloway.

EXCERPT:People from across the UK have taken part in an event to encourage disabled riders to tackle mountain bike trails across southern Scotland. The route is one of the 7stanes trails which are located throughout Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish Borders. Organisers said they were keen to open up the trails to "as many different groups of people as possible", including those with disabilities.

Click here to read the full article.

----------------------------------------

SEPTEMBER 2009: The Ae All Abilities Day was hailed a huge success by bikeradar.com and featured the club afterwards. The two articles they published online noted the range of demo equipment available, along with some of the great feedback from visitors themselves.

EXCERPT:Ae Forest is among the first in the UK to have a downhill track suitable for disabled - as well as non-disabled - riders. On Saturday, members of the Rough Riderz, a club for four-wheel mountain bikes, performed demonstration runs on the trails. Those feeling brave were even given the chance to try out one of the four-wheel bikes, although there was plenty of interest for those who were not after such an adrenaline-fuelled experience.

Click here to read the full article (Disabled riders show how it's done.).

Click here to read the full article (Demo Day a hit for 80 riders.).

----------------------------------------

SEPTEMBER 2009: The All-Abilities day was seen as a real success by Forestry Commission Scotland and was reported about on the 7Stanes blog. They said that everyone who participated, including staff, had an excellent day and lots of happy people left the forest!

EXCERPT:Around 80 people joined the 7Stanes team and the Rough Riderz on Saturday 12th September for a first of its kind demo day. Five different vehicle/bike providers very kindly donated their vehicles and services for the day to show disabled and non-disabled riders what is available.

Click here to read the full article.

----------------------------------------

AUGUST 2009: Forestry Commission Scotland and their partners would like to invite you to Ae All-Abilities Day on Saturday 12th September, near Dumfries. The event will showcase and demonstrate the facilities, equipment and services that can be used by disabled riders on the mountain bike trails at 7stanes venue in Ae Forest.

EXCERPT:On display will be mobility scooters, Fieldmasters, handcycles, Bomas, demonstrations and fun runs by the Rough Riderz club. A special 1/2 price rate for mountain bike hire will also be available at the Ae Bike Shop, so friends and family can also join in the fun! An uplift service from 'Uplift Scotland' is provided on the day. There's an assortment of vehicles for all abilities - so why not come along and have a go yourself? See the official flyer for full info... or email Amanda Burgess at the Forestry Commission.

Click here to visit the Ae Forest website.

----------------------------------------

JULY 2009: A result of a visit to Wales and riding with members of the Forestry Commission The club have helped design trails, to boost the local economy in one of South Wales' fastest growing sports. It was reported in the South Wales Echo and on their website that a new mountain bike trail near Merthyr, with other new facilities, have been created to increase tourism and visitor numbers to the region.

EXCERPT:The 550-metre "easy" graded Rowan trail is for the sport's newcomers and the "moderate" 450-metre Spruce course with a few fast descents is designed to improve riding skills. Their design and construction was overseen by FC Wales' Brian Rumble with the help of Rough Riderz, a group of able and wheelchair users who ride three and four-wheeled mountain bikes, to ensure that wheelchair users on adapted bikes can also use the courses.

Click here to read the full article.

----------------------------------------

JULY 2009: The all-new Mud, Sweat and Gears MTB series offers riders of all abilities the chance to test their fitness, nerve and bike handling skills at three great courses throughout Essex.

EXCERPT: At this years Langdon Hills event, the Essex mountain bike community will be introduced to the world of gravity MTBing.

In partnership with SportEssex, Rough Riderz, Trailnet and Danbury Cycles the event will host a demonstration of gravity MTBing. Not only will you see this sport up close, but you'll also be able to find out more about the bikes, the riders and how you can get involved.

----------------------------------------

JULY 2009: Robert Bailey was a victim of a spinal injury in June 2007, suffering a crush fracture to T12 in a pleasure boat accident. Fortunately Rob was lucky enough to escape any permanent damage to restrict his quality of life. Prior to his accident he always enjoyed outdoor activities, his main hobby being the sport of mountain biking. In the early 90�s Rob rode for Keswick Mountain Bikes in races throughout the North and North West of the UK. Since becoming fully fit and active again Rob has decided to raise funds for a specialist gravity bike.

EXCERPT: When I learnt that a fracture to T12 was one of the most common causes of paraplegia I realised how very lucky I had been. Since then it has always been a desire of mine to give something back and when I heard about the Rough Riderz mountain biking club I couldn�t think of a more appropriate organisation for me to help.

To raise funds Rob set himself the challenge of riding from Muncaster Castle to Edinburgh Castle. The �Castle to Castle route took Rob and two friends, Steve Smye and Paul Martin, along the coast of West Cumbria and through the Borders to Berwick. A total ride of 320 miles over 3 days, following the Sustrans routes, the final stage saw them ride through the Tweed Valley to Innerleithen and over Dewar Hill, finishing at Edinburgh Castle. This fundraiser was also featured in the following publications:

West Cumbria News and Star
Whitehaven News
Lancashire Evening Post
Forward Magazine
Newsline Magazine
The Paper (Tenerife)

----------------------------------------

MARCH 2009: One of the writers for the Singletracks MTB blog reported on the club's ambitions to develop a 4-wheeled mountain biking scene, to establish the sport right across the UK.

EXCERPT:What has four mountain bike tyres, disc brakes, no gears, and no pedals? Nope, it's not the pile of cannibalised bikes in your tool shed, it's the R-one Fourcross MTB - the raddest way to ride downhill on four wheels.

Click here to read the full article.

----------------------------------------

FEBRUARY 2009: The club has assisted the Forestry Commission's Forest Research Department in producing a report - Exploring disabled people's perceptions and use of forest recreation facilities. This was aimed at finding ways to ensure equal access and enjoyment of the outdoors for all groups of people, supported by the Equality Act 2006 and the amended Disability Discrimination Act 2005.

EXCERPT:Answering the challenges of the equality and diversity agenda means learning more about the expectations, needs and potential mechanisms for including different users of woods and forests, such as the wide range of disabled groups and the variety of recreational activities they undertake in woodlands.

Click here to read the full article.

----------------------------------------

FEBRUARY 2009: Founder members of the Rough Riderz club, Phil Hall and Dave Bower, have been filmed by the BBC for a feature for national TV which aired on Sunday 22nd February. BBC1�s Countryfile magazine, hosted by the legendary Mr. John Craven, visited the new tracks and facilities available at Whinlatter Forest in the Lake District. As part of the feature, Countryfile�s Adam Henson interviewed our bikers to find out more about the club, the bikes and the trails that we are now helping to develop around the country. The interview was accompanied by footage of the riderz in action!

Click here to watch the full interview...

----------------------------------------

FEBRUARY 2009: The Forestry Commission is working hard to realise its duties to actively promote, select, consult, and include disabled people/groups in the development of policies and services of importance to them. To answer the challenges of the equality and diversity agenda they must learn more about the expectations and needs of different users of woods and forests. As part of this study, the club was approached to provide some MTB-specific input.

Click here to read the summary of their research, findings and recommendations...

----------------------------------------

JANUARY 2009: In May, the World Mountain Biking Conference will leave Canadian shores for the first time. Over 400 worldwide delegates are anticipated to attend, including land-managers, trail organisers and resort operators. The event is scheduled to be held in Dumfries between the 12th and 15th, with the conference pooling ideas on how to manage MTBing as an environmentally, economically and socially sustainable activity. Our Club Secretary will be a Guest Speaker on Day 1 in a panel workshop session entitled 'Mountain Biking For All'.

MAY 2008: The Guardian, on behalf of Directgov (the government-run citizen's portal), are working on a project to build an online interactive resource to teach 11-14 year-olds about citizenship/PSHE-related issues. In the pilot resource, the topics will focus on disability and identity. The pilot includes video footage of young people with disabilities talking about their lives. They felt that Rough Riderz, whose activities are shared by wheelchair users and the able-bodied, could be really useful in portraying the lives of disabled people to others. They have shown some of the footage to the DCSF, who have approved its use in the pilot KS3 site.

EXCERPT: "We think the footage is dynamic enough that young people will be interested in watching the clips... This might mean the user navigating round the online 'world', and clicking on a Rough Riderz poster that they encounter in the street - when they click on this, the video would play..."

This project is NOT currently available on-line.

----------------------------------------

MAY 2008: During Phil Hall's tour of Tenerife in April of this year, Bikepark Tenerife took the opportunity to look at the accessibility of their trails to gravity MTB riders. Spanish national newspaper, El D�a, took the opportunity to report on these new kind of bikes. A councillor from Tegueste, visited the town's MTB facilities and met with park owner Zeno Zrenner with a view to watching Phil tackle the course and discuss the possible changes to design and layout necessary to accomodate four wheel bikes.

EXCERPT: "In addition to enjoying the island, Phil visited Bikepark Tenerife to check the trails on his gravity bike. His aim now is to share his experiences with club members and other disabled riders. Both the owners of the bike park and the council would like to adapt and improve the facilities, offering better access for sportspeople with limited mobility..."

Click here to read the full article.

----------------------------------------

MARCH 2008: The April issue of MBR magazine features a five page interview with UK gravity MTB rider, and Rough Riderz member, David Bower. The location used for the article was the brilliant Laggan Wolftrax site, in Scotland. We would like to thank MTB journalist Andy McAndlish for photographing and writing this piece, and also to Linsday for his help on the day.

EXCERPT: "In 2000, David Bower lost the use of his legs and it looked as if his trail-riding days were over. Eight years on, it's a different story. You look around and think, 'If it wasn't for these bikes, I would never get here, how would I ever have got here?'"

This article is NOT currently available on-line.

----------------------------------------

JANUARY 2008: The popular disability lifestyle magazine, Able, published a column in the Jan/Feb edition on the exploits of the club. Under the title 'Mountain Maniacs' it highlights the increasing interest in establishing a gravity MTB scene in the UK. More and more disabled people are accessing the countryside, with some heading to the hills in search of exhilarating 'new kicks'.

EXCERPT: �While New Year's resolutions are often about giving up some of life's pleasures, you can also use the arrival of '08 as an excuse to give something completely different a try. Here are 20 options for people with all levels of ability - and varying degrees of sanity too!

This article is NOT currently available on-line.

DECEMBER 2007: The Rough Riderz channel is now available on YouTube. We will post all our club promos and future movies on here for everyone to watch... so why not subscribe to our channel today and then you can rate and/or comment on the films in our collection? We also have some more new films coming soon!

EXCERPT: "High Calibre Design and Dirty Filmz present the Rough Riderz fourcross promos part 1 and 2. Featuring some great footage of Dave Bower in action, from summer 2007, riding the R-One Fourcross MTB. Filmed on location in North Wales."

Click here to view Promo One.

Click here to view Promo Two.

----------------------------------------

NOVEMBER 2007: Spinal cord injury charity Aspire kindly invited Phil Hall to be the guest speaker at their 2007 Sports Quiz Dinner. Held at The Lowry Hotel in Manchester, it gave Phil the opportunity to thank the organisation personally for the grant he received towards the cost of his own gravity bike. It also enabled him to speak, to a mainly corporate audience, about his passion for downhill riding and his future hopes and dreams for the Rough Riderz club.

----------------------------------------

SEPTEMBER 2007: The bad news is� the Forestry Commission Scotland had generously invited the club to attend the 2007 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships! However, we were unable to attend the event due to a serious injury. The good news is they may extend their invitation to offer the same sort of gravity MTB demo event at the 2008 UCI Mountain Bike Nissan World Cup (round 3) also to be held at Fort Bill. This will really help to put the Rough Riderz club in the media spotlight. So, watch this space and make sure you check out the MTB forum and calendar for more information.

EXCERPT: "The one-off glory and hype of the World Championships may be over, but Fort William is not going to sit back, don slippers and take a big long rest with a good book. No, it�s going back into the World Cup circuit, invigorated and excited about long-term plans for 2008 through to 2012 when London hosts the Cross Country Olympic event. The dates for the 2008 World Cup are confirmed on 6/8 June, so start planning now."

Click here to read more.

Click here to read all the latest event information.

----------------------------------------

JULY 2007: The Back-Up Trust started a new awareness campaign on spinal cord injury. This included a campaign leaflet (Back on Track) aimed at the motorcycle industry, which featured Phil Hall�s story. It explained the nature of his injury, his successful rehab, the new experience of gravity MTB riding and the creation of his downhill MTB club.

EXCERPT: "�aged 21, Phil got his own motorbike and in his own words, from that point on he didn�t look back unless he heard the police! Phil was living in Tenerife in 2003 when one day� his front wheel hit something in the road causing loss of control� Phil became a paraplegic� 8 months on from his life changing injury Phil was reluctantly talked into a Back-Up course. After a week of outdoor activities� (he) realised just how much was possible. Determined not to relinquish his need for speed Phil set up Rough Riderz in December 06 the UK�s first 4 wheel downhill mountain biking club."

This article is NOT currently available on-line.

----------------------------------------

JUNE 2007: The Big Issue magazine wrote about Phil Hall's exploits on a gravity bike, entitled A BIT OF ROUGH! It included some background on Phil and his ambitions to bring the sport of gravity MTBing to the UK with the help of his new club.

EXCERPT: "The club has members from all over the UK and from as far away as Brazil. It is seeking funding for spare bikes and taster days that Hall hopes to start� people will love it so much that they will want to buy their own bike and increase the scene over here."

This article is NOT currently available on-line.

----------------------------------------

APRIL 2007: The Spinal Injuires Association magazine, 'Forward', featured another article about the Rough Riderz club and it's founder Phil Hall. He talks about his love of mountain biking, and his hopes for the club, both now and in the future.

EXCERPT: �An article in the February 2007 edition... has sparked further interest in this exciting sporting opportunity. The amazing buzz and feeling of freedom that this sport offers is something that I seriously feel must be made accessible to people here in the UK.

This article is NOT currently available on-line.

----------------------------------------

APRIL 2007: Some very exciting news! The Forestry Commission Scotland have very generously invited the Rough Riderz club to attend the 2007 UCI Mountain Bike and Trials World Championships! This would involve some of our club members attending the event, being held in Fort William this year, to participate in a gravity MTB demonstration event, in front of the world's sports media.

EXCERPT: "Fort William welcomes the world. In September 2007 the global mountain biking community will be focused on a small town in the Scottish Highlands - a small town that has become a byword for great mountain biking, fantastic fans and the best competitions in the world."

Click here to read all the event information.

----------------------------------------

APRIL 2007: The Spinal Injuires Scotland quarterly publication, 'Newsline', pictured Rough Riderz member Dave Bower on the front cover of the magazine. It also included more photos of Dave with a full write-up about the club inside the Spring issue.

EXCERPT: "...both able-bodied and disabled people are welcome to join Rough Riderz, anybody at all who wants to get involved. When asked about the future Phil is upbeat: I�m certainly optimistic, although the challenge now is that the club desperately needs to raise enough money to provide the transport, spare bikes and safety gear necessary to give the increasing number of interested people approaching us the chance to participate. I just can�t wait to show them what they�re missing. Trust me, they�ll be smiling for at least a week!"

Click here to read the full article (see page 23).

----------------------------------------

MARCH 2007: North-West regional newspaper The Citizen featured Phil Hall's story and his ambitions for the Rough Riderz club.

EXCERPT: "To speed down a mountain on one of the bikes gave me an extreme sense of freedom and that buzz of excitement for the first time since my accident. He has received support, help and advice in achieving his dream from spinal injuries charity Aspire... Phil added: I'm trying to secure funding to offer people taster days so they can hook up with Rough Riderz and try out the sport."

Click here to read the full article.

----------------------------------------

MARCH 2007: Rough Riderz' original founding member (and Club Secretary) Phil Hall was recently featured in his main local newspaper, The Lancashire Evening Post.

EXCERPT: " Phil Hall became hooked on downhill four-wheel mountain biking last year during an American holiday in Colorado and now it's his dream to bring the sport here to the UK. He said: 'I'm absolutely madly obsessed with it! When getting in a downhill bike, once you're rolling, you might as well forget you're in a chair. It's completely irrelevant... I'm doing what I used to do. Hurtling down hills at great speed. For me, it's an important part of my life, getting that adrenaline...' "

Click here to read the full article.

----------------------------------------

MARCH 2007: Journalism students from the University of Central Lancashire interviewed Phil Hall about Rough Riderz, and the sport of gravity MTBing. The Xpressed website features video footage plus text extracts from this conversation.

EXCERPT: �A 34-year-old disabled man is not the sort of person you'd expect to be an extreme sports enthusiast, but for Phil Hall a lifelong obsession with speed has found a new outlet. Watch Phil talk about gravity MTB, his disability and the buzz of extreme sports.

Click here to read the full article (with video).

----------------------------------------

FEBRUARY 2007: The Spinal Injuires Association magazine, 'Forward', featured an article on the new �disabled friendly� downhill MTB scene. An important member of the Rough Riderz team, David Bower, writes about his love of mountain biking and his experiences in riding gravity mountain bikes.

EXCERPT: �Mountain biking meant everything to me before my accident. After many years of searching I have now found a way to enjoy the sport I love so much. My bike is extremely stable and capable of traversing extremely rough terrain including the jumps, drops, rock sections and bermed corners encountered on mountain bike trails. It is designed primarily for use on downhill mountain bike courses� an extremely challenging adrenaline-inducing sport. I am seeking to encourage participation� with a view to eventually developing further purpose-built trails and competitions. I would welcome contact from any reader interested in this sporting activity.

This article is NOT currently available on-line.

NOVEMBER 2009: The Pinkbike website features news on the dates for Race for Tara 2010 , to be held at the Northstar Resort in Tahoe, California. The race was started 3 years ago by Brian and Thayne Bolin after champion downhill mountain biker, Tara Llanes, suffered a horrific crash while racing in Beaver Creek, Colorado. The event was created to help raise funds for Tara and her ever-growing medical costs. In it's first year Tara was still in the hospital but at this years event, she was able to not only be at the event she was able to participate and race down the mountain in a 4-wheeled DH bike!

EXCERPT:A large portion of the proceeds will be donated to Spinal Cord Research and helping other athletes with Spinal Cord Injury and a smaller portion to the continued medical costs Tara has had to endure. In the last 3 years the Race for Tara has raised nearly $30,000 thanks to the entire cycling community.

Click here to find out more about this event.

----------------------------------------

SEPTEMBER 2009: The Active Force Foundation was started by Brook Duquesnel, Lonie Paxton, and Jason Yim a little over six years ago. Since then they have worked together to raise close to $200,000 towards the engineering and manufacturing of a new downhill 4-wheel mountain bike. They have now produced their own promotional video too.

EXCERPT:Their efforts have gone strictly towards the vision of implementing this piece of equipment into adaptive sports camps and programs throughout North America and eventually abroad. To date they have donated two gravity mountain bikes, engineered their first "state of the art" gravity bike and built 2 full scale prototypes.

Click here to find out more.

----------------------------------------

JUNE 2008: Biking website Pinkbike.com features photos and a video of Cumbria's new private MTB facility at Scratchmere Scar. There is an uplift service available on every weekend, for only �15 for as many runs as you can get in... which could be 20+ on a good day! More new routes are underway, with linking sections planned between existing tracks too. The site is located just 10 mintues drive from junction 41 of the M6.

Click here to watch another video...

----------------------------------------

JUNE 2008: The Reddish Vale MTB Club have created a proposal for world class facilites to be built near Manchester for all MTB'ers to enjoy. Reddish Vale, in the Tame Valley, covers over 200 acres and contains miles of pathways suitable for MTB-ing. There are 2 phases to this proposal, with some 'gravity MTB friendly' DH routes also included in their extensive plans.

EXCERPT: "The club needs as much support as it can get from MTB riders in order for this project to get the 'go ahead' from local councillors, etc. Group Organiser, Brian Cook said: 'On behalf of 'Manchester Mountain Bikers', we would welcome any support from other BMX & MTB riders in the North-West. We are campaigning for a bike park to be built in Stockport and we NEED your help.'

Click here to sign their guestbook, and support this proposal.

----------------------------------------

MARCH 2008: Arguably the greatest 'extreme' mountain bike festival, Kokanee Crankworx 2008 will take place from August 9th to the 17th, in Whistler of course! This is a must for any serious MTB fans... if you have the cash! Some of the top riders from around the world meet for a week dedicated to wheels, speed, skills and thrills... including gravity MTB expert Stacy Kohut and friends. Can you afford to miss it?

EXCERPT: "Whistler's premier mountain bike festival is set to return... for eight days of incredible, gravity-defying freeride competitions, pro riding demos, FREE music and entertainment, and much more!"

Click here to read the full event information.

----------------------------------------

FEBRUARY 2008: According to a report in Single Track World, trail building at Whinlatter Forest Park, near Keswick, is GO! A team of builders have moved into the area this week to start work on the longest purpose-built mountain bike trail in the Lake District.

EXCERPT: "The 19 kilometre bike trail is part of a �500,000 project to improve the visitor facilities at the Forestry Commission�s Whinlatter Forest over the coming year, and will involve building 15 kilometres of new single track trail for families and hardcore mountain bike enthusiasts. The construction work is expected to take up to seven months to complete, and the new bike trail will be officially opened to the public at the end of the summer. New features will include rocks, drops and steps. There will also be lots of descents, jumps and rollers all linked together by singletrack.

Click here to read even more...

----------------------------------------

FEBRUARY 2008: BIKEmagic have reported on the proposed chairlift at Innerleithen, which has moved a few steps closer to reality. With leisure industry business consultants 'Tourism Resources Co.' having made a presentation to the powers that be in the Scottish Borders, making a preliminary case for what would be the world's first bike-specific chairlift.

EXCERPT: "The proposed lift is a high-speed quad chair with a capacity of 1,100 bikes and riders per hour. The 85 chairs will run on cables supported by 11 towers up to 17m high, with bikes being carried upright on purpose-built "chairs". The lift itself is only part of the proposal, though. There would also be a new "base station" building and new 420-vehicle capacity car park at the bottom of the lift and, possibly more importantly, 30km of new DH and XC trails plus slopestyle/freeride areas. The new two-storey building would feature a ticket office, shop, bike hire, toilets and showers on the ground floor and a cafe on the upper floor. The proposed expanded trail network is described as comprising "short, interconnected trails" to "attract novice to competitor" riders.

Click here to read the full article...

----------------------------------------

NOVEMBER 2007: R-ONE has a brand new website. Featuring the latest team news, product news and interviews. It also has an impresssive gallery of photos featuring the riders/owners Stacy Kohut and Johnny Therien aboard their downhill rigs. It is the most comprehensive site (outside the UK) for you to explore more about what�s happening in the world of gravity MTB riding and racing today.

EXCERPT: " Rider owned and rider operated. R-ONE builds, rides, races, and sells Fourcross bikes. In the past years nobody has ridden more, raced more, built more or sold more in regards to the gravity MTB world. R-ONE hails from the epicentre of the lift assisted mountain bike movement, Whistler� The riding style is an insane combination of DH mountain biking, rally car driving, high-end off road truck racing, and of course motocross/supercross. The sport is available to all people who enjoy openwheel, fourwheel, offroad riding and racing action! Ride for fun, Race to win.

----------------------------------------

SEPTEMBER 2007: Some news on Eric Lindley�s plans for POE Racing, with his team mate Gavin Williamson. This includes information on the prototype gravity bike they are currently testing with assistance from the AFF. It also features a mini-history of the pair and video footage of Eric in Whistler.

EXCERPT: "Lindsley is running a freelance engineering company called Pryme Offroad Engineering out of Sutter Creek, CA. Pryme is currently assisting Active Force Foundation with the development of a new four wheel mountain bike. The goal is to provide a high performance 4-wheel rig at a cost that more average riders can afford The pair also known as the P.O.E. Racing Team continues to race internationally and is planning to produce a Murderball-style documentary on the history of gravity MTB.

Click here to read the full article.

----------------------------------------

MAY 2007: Lancashire County Council plans for the Rossendale Adrenaline Gateway Proposal have recently received a boost, with confirmation of a National Lottery award. Originally reported in Singletrack Magazine, this exciting project should create some excellent downhill MTB trails and facilities for the county.

EXCERPT: "Rossendale's Local Strategic Partnership is currently undertaking a detailed feasibility study into developing the biggest adrenaline and extreme sports facility in England at Lee Mill Quarry. The 'Adrenaline Gateway' project would involve relocating and extending Ski Rossendale, together with new activities such as BMX and mountain bike trails, paragliding and ballooning, horse riding and fell running. The proposals for the Adrenaline Centre seek to build on the existing facilities at Ski Rossendale and provide a range of sports and leisure activities that would attract visitors from within and outside the Borough. With the shockingly low amount of bridleways in the county in general we think this idea should prove to be very popular with Lancastrian mountain bikers."

Click here to read the full article.

Click here to read even more...

----------------------------------------

MAY 2007: Some of the Carron Valley Development Group volunteers have created some interesting new trails in this area of Central Scotland. This project has been assisted by working in partnership with North Lanarkshire Council, Stirling Council and the Forestry Commission. Although they are yet to be tested, some of the trails could be suitable for gravity MTB riders to enjoy.

EXCERPT: "Since the launch in spring 2006, Central Scotland's first purpose built mountain bike centre is proving extremely popular with riders of all ages and abilities. Three exciting new additions in autumn 2006 compliment the existing trails... When it's time to land, head for 'The Runway'. This feature-packed, fast flowing fun park style descent is designed so beginners can roll the jumps and experienced riders can get some air! Experience turbulence as you drop in, feel the speed through the corkscrew and explode out of the bomb hole before lining up for the final approach. Littered with berms, jumps and tabletops it's guaranteed to satisfy those who prefer airtime!"

Click here to read the full article.

----------------------------------------

MARCH 2007: More news from Pinkbike.com reporting on the Tweed Valley's ambition, with the help of the Scottish Borders Council, to become Europe's leading mountain bike destination.

EXCERPT: "The independent report, commissioned by Scottish Enterprise Borders, highlights that the re-introduction of a safe vehicle uplift facility at the Innerleithen downhill course is a key first step in helping to grow the number of people using the downhill tracks. Forestry Commission Scotland is currently looking for a company to operate a bus-based transport system to safely transport bikers and their bikes to the top of the downhill routes at Innerleithen. It is hoped that this new business opportunity will be operational by early summer. The report recommends installing a detachable quad chairlift system in Innerleithen, between Elibank and Traquair Forests. The Innerleithen Downhill course at Traquair Forest is already renowned for its extreme biking and a chairlift system would offer significant opportunities to develop the area and reinforce its world-class reputation amongst mountain bike enthusiasts."

Click here to read the full article.

----------------------------------------

FEBRUARY 2007: Pinkbike.com highlight plans by Angus Community Council to improve and increase MTB trails in East Scotland.

EXCERPT: �Where are the bike tracks on the East Coast of Scotland? It�s a question many local mountain bikers have been asking. Angus Council�s community learning & development outdoor education team is taking steps to promote a discussion about the viability of a mountain bike trail development matching one of the 7-Stanes sites. This discussion would lead to a consultation period in April. If there is sufficient support then the next step would be to form a group to take the project forwards�

Click here to read the full article.

----------------------------------------

FEBRUARY 2007: The possibility of a �chairlift project� by Scottish Enterprise Borders, at Innerleithen, was recently outlined by Dirt Magazine amongst others�

EXCERPT: �If you read the Press Release then it really does sound like there is a very strong possibility that there WILL be a chairlift at Innerleithen in the near future. A new study has shown that establishing Tweed Valley as one of the world's leading mountain bike destinations to rival locations such as Les Gets in France and Whistler in Canada could help attract 100,000 visitors to the region a year. The independent report� highlights that the re-introduction of a safe vehicle uplift facility at the Innerleithen downhill course is a key first step in helping to grow the number of people using the downhill tracks. Forestry Commission Scotland is currently looking for a company to operate a bus-based transport system� to the top of the downhill routes at Innerleithen. The new vehicle based uplift service will be fundamental in growing the number of bikers using the trails from the current 8,000 visits a year to at least 25,000 visits. The uplift service would be part of the overall strategy towards developing the chairlift as a viable option.

Click here to read the full article.

----------------------------------------

APRIL 2006: Details of the proposed Dragon Downhill chairlift project, at Cwm Carn, featured by Mountain Biking Wales.

EXCERPT: �If you read the Press Release then it really does sound like there is a very strong possibility that there WILL be a chairlift at Innerleithen in the near future. A new study has shown that establishing Tweed Valley as one of the world's leading mountain bike destinations to rival locations such as Les Gets in France and Whistler in Canada could help attract 100,000 visitors to the region a year. The independent report� highlights that the re-introduction of a safe vehicle uplift facility at the Innerleithen downhill course is a key first step in helping to grow the number of people using the downhill tracks. Forestry Commission Scotland is currently looking for a company to operate a bus-based transport system� to the top of the downhill routes at Innerleithen. The new vehicle based uplift service will be fundamental in growing the number of bikers using the trails from the current 8,000 visits a year to at least 25,000 visits. The uplift service would be part of the overall strategy towards developing the chairlift as a viable option.

Click here to read the full article.

----------------------------------------

2005: Dare Valley Extreme Sports Park, based in the Cynon Valley, publish information on their future plans for better MTB facilities in South Wales.

EXCERPT: �Welcome to the new world of extreme downhill. If you are ready to experience some of the most gnarly tracks in the UK then we're ready to meet you. Dare valley extreme downhill mountain biking has been designed to bring out the best of your skills. Laid out over 3kms, our courses have something to test even the most skilled rider.

Click here to read the full article.