On the box on Friday night!

-- UPDATE - I THINK WE DID A GOOD JOB :-) --




A nice wee primetime slot as Danny would put it! Yep - Danny Macaskill, Duncan Shaw and guest Ross McArthur will be on primetime TV (ok only for a couple of minutes) on Friday night. We're doing a performance as part of Children in Need. Also look out for Danny' famous bike from his video which he has donated to the CiN auction.

MB7 is five

A bit late in the day and we have been slacker than many young men's jeans waistlines lately. Phuff.

That's what happens when the working season runs well on into November with a West coast Island holiday hiatus in the middle. :). We are rapidly approaching the years end and it's been a busy time for us all.

Iain managed to lay on a fairly amazing party to celebrate MB7's 5th birthday. Yay!

Things have indeed changed since the early days when Iain the 'one man tuition king' dreamt of taking packs of mountain bikers on epic journeys across the highlands and pass on skills and technique on the weekend packages.





MB7 birthday cake - we is 5


Bigger and better (?) times lay in wait. Meetings in living rooms and big plates of mushroom risotto, laptops and paypal accounts, website reviews then have-a-go, festival madness, Riderz and taking skills and displays on tour.

2008 and 'The Clan' was born - Iain has been on tour ever since with the crew. Danny, Lynn, Fraser, Duncan, Nash and SG with an extensive crew of other riders, MC's and super helpful helpers all contributed to a stonking year of personal appearances - hard work is go! But these guys and girls can party harder than granite. Stories are only half remembered but I do seem to remember an orphaned high heel and some sangria style attempts with Stan. It was as messy as it sounds.

Meanwhile back in the Tweed Valley Andy takes over the guiding, lessons and holiday for 2008/2009. A busy couple of years with tweaks here and there to make the office part as slick as george clooneys film hair.

Andy is a tuition zealot and works hard to make sure everyone who comes on an MB7 course goes away with techniques and skills that will make them mountain bike gods - GIFTED - we might even say.

The mountain bike lessons running at Glentress have been packed all year - we've even seen people coming back to the forest for a second helping of the trails so we must be doing something right! It's all contributing to the good vibe on the trails. Long live good vibes.




Crew & mob at MB7 party (jelly not shown)


Back to the party.
A cracking display from The Clan - thanks to the riders that kept it together long enough to get up that ten foot box. I'm sure the lager was flowing soon after.
The mobile pump track courtesy of Ben and Richard of 'Bikes n Berms'
(http://bikesandberms.com/default.aspx)
was set up in the grounds of the pub so that fun and frolicks on two wheels could continue for an hour or two more - any longer and the inebriation would likely cause an injury.

A slideshow of all the nonsense of the last five years brought tears to eyes, especially the shot of Iain cuddling a newborn lamb found on one of his early expeditions. The lack of bags under his eyes in the photo reminded us of the carefree young man he was before he decided on the sometimes stressful sleeplesness of setting up and running your own company. Turns out it was a good call after all. :)



Managing Director prepares for MB7 business meeting

Seems we shouldn't have worried about the personal injuries on the pump track, it was about to get serious. Lager flavoured booze and the introduction of inflatable sumo suits all seemed like a most excellent idea at the time. And so it was, for those of us abstaining from all the silliness.

A session of full on fighting ensued - all of the petty anguishes and small bun fights over the years came out in the ring and some brutal body slams and belly bounces resulted in flailing limbs and some seriously sore looking body to body impacts.

Needless to say the following day was brimmed full of sore heads. I can vouch for confessions from attendees of a selection of sore knees, sore backs, sore everything.

It must be a sign of a good night out. Or at least it was when my age began with a 2 and not a 3.

The last five years have been a blast - here's to MB7 is ten. I wonder what's round the next five years?

XC and downhill champs arrives in Inners

Innerleithen MTB Racing and i-Cycles brought the British National XC Mountain Bike Champs 2009 to Innerleithen.

www.i-cycles.co.uk/

This year it is a combined event, with Descent Gear/MSC Bikes providing the Downhill Champs. Double the fun!

Word on the street (hill, whatever...) is that this is one of the most challenging XC courses for some time, a large section of the lower course used one of the usual downhill course lines so I think that probably says it all.

It was a couple of busy days in Inners. The event fell on the weekend of the local Cleikum ceremony so there was the whole toon' of Inners milling about rubbing muddy shoulders with the competitors and visitors for the downhill and XC races along the road.

Good news is that Innerleithen's Whistlestop Cafe had their arms wide open for the hungry hoardes - they do fantastic illy coffee and full cooked breakfasts. Not to be missed before a big ride out on the hills.

They also provide local and national newspapers for those of us (ahem, my hand might be up) that just want to kick back and relax over a slow lunch.

Just what the doctor ordered for a lazy Saturday.... um, and Sunday.
thinks - * I'm sure I did something energetic to deserve the indulgence though...*

The rumour goes that they will be serving fried green tomatoes at somepoint in the future - I'll probably stick with the baked potatoes and full cooked myself but my curiousity might get the better of me.

Whatever you order or what you're up to, it's a great cafe with a homely feel and some cracking grub.

www.whistlestopcafeinnerleithen.co.uk/

The weekend panned out with a bit of race watching after a big breakfast - XC riders mixing it up with elite riders thrashing past some of the ummm, less technical guys and gals. All good though and great to see such a busy event.


Along the road from Inners event village there was a pretty neat setup with Ben from 'Bikes and Berms' and 'Glentrail' nice guy Richard offering free shots on their hand-built wooden pump track.

It's super skinny,fast (if you know how to do it justice) and endless amounts of fun.

Shame the weather was pretty bad but it didn't stop a good crowd coming along and having a shot.

www.bikesandberms.com

What do you need after a full day of riding, talking it up, eating and drinking?

If you are looking for bike friendly and a certain amount of luxurious lodgings for large groups you could do worse than give Richard and Diedre's place a look.

Woodburning stove and great bike storage.
What more could you ask for?
Comfy beds and hot soapy baths? No problem. Done.

It's in Innerleithen and only five minutes ride to Inners XC and downhill courses and a ten minute drive to Glentress.

www.glentrailhouse.com

There was another reason to stick around on the BIG weekend though......

There was 'The Clan' show being lined up with Danny Macaskill and Duncan Shaw throwing themselves around a 10ft rig and challenging each other to a bunny hop competition in the sloshing rain.

Sketchy?
Aye, but fun for the audience watching. The wet Clan t-shirts were an extra bonus for the ladies in the crowd. :)

MB7's 'The Clan' are planning an epic event later this year:

19th/20th September - 'Endura ‘Stramash’

is a rider-built and operated event that aims to become a solid showpiece for the UK’s premier MTB destination - Glentress and the Tweed Valley.

Entry is now open for both the Monster Slopestyle and Enduro and the first “Lessons in Flight” courses begin in July. To enter or to get the full information on this innovative new event, go to:
www.stramash.com

Phew! Busy!

Don't forget that MB7 are still here in the Tweed Valley offering skills and tuition to improve your riding no matter where your skills are at as a rider.

www.mb7.com/

As we say around here in MB7 land "Don't just upgrade your bike - upgrade your skills" :)

Endura Stramash Freeride Festival hits Glentress in September

Slopestyle - Enduro - September 19th/20th 2009 - Glentress Forest

No rest for the wicked... we've been breaking new ground with MB7 over the past few years and not tired of a risk or two, we're launching ourselves into the world of event production. Endura ‘Stramash’ is a rider-built and operated event that aims to become a solid showpiece for the UK’s premier MTB destination, Glentress Forest A Stramash is a Scottish word for a disturbance, racket, or clash and spectators and participants can expect a loud and lively event that will test every sinew and present a real challenge to competitors.

Slopestyle - Saturday 19th September

The event has also confirmed attendance in the Slopestyle of local hero and YouTube sensation Danny Macaskill, who will be pitting his wits on the specially built features. Also lining up to ride is Lance McDermott, who was recently injured but is confident of a return to form for Stramash.

With classes for youth, women, amateurs and elite riders, the Monster Slopestyle is as much about nurturing Freeride talent as it is about providing an exhibition event for this stunning visual sport. Alongside Macaskill and other top riders who will attend the event to compete in the floodlit finale, the field will also include riders who will have trained in Stramash’s “Lessons in Flight,” with specially arranged Slopestyle courses taking place in August and September 2009.

Enduro - Sunday 20th September

It’s not just about Slopestyle though. The Enduro will give a large cross section of bikers the opportunity get involved too, with the ability to ride the famous Glentress trails in a format that rewards the all-round rider. The idea is to reach the top of Glentress’ famous singletrack descents within your time limit and then race the clock back down in timed special stages. All participants will have all day to set their fastest times and battle for immortality as the fastest rider on the best trails in the country.

With support from Forestry Commission Scotland, Scottish Enterprise and sponsorship confirmed from Scotland’s very own biking apparel aficionados Endura plus the Monster crew, the event is shaping up to become an annual fixture within the national biking calendar. Working on a development plan over 5 years, it is envisaged that Stramash will become the signature event for the Tweed Valley and grow into a major festival of Freeride taking inspiration from Whistler’s beloved Crankworx event.

Entry is now open for both the Monster Slopestyle and Enduro and the first “Lessons in Flight” courses begin in August. To enter or to get the full information on this innovative new event, go to WWW.STRAMASH.COM.

Retro Recession Recollections

Cruising around the internet and you find some interesting things. Sadly I spend Friday night's poring over bi-oval frames and the most advanced canti rear brakes money could buy back in Thatcher's economy.

Welcome - the 'King-Sting' from Schwinn.
A weird bmx / mountain bike cross single speed. Just the ticket in the world just before mountain bike invention.

For some cultural context.... The UK was in a state of sorry disrepair especially if you were working class.

If you think it's bad now think back to 1981 which brought a recession with inflation of 27%, three million unemployed, inefficient industries, inequality of the sexes, fallout from the Winter of Discontent (kids, ask your parents), Thatcher was starting to privatise all of the UK's Nationalised Industries - the poisoned harvest of which we are only really reaping today, there was an assassination attempt on Ronald Reagan, the Brixton riots happened and the average cost of a UK home (not that anyone bought them back then, our parents all rented) was £23,000.

But, more importantly, Bucks Fizz were storming the Eurovision song contest with 'making your mind up' which was deeply upsetting at the time. On a lighter note and according to the Guiness Book of Records (a book, before the internet was invented) a schoolgirl in Pershore, Worcestershire, UK, begins an uncontrollable series of sneezes that end September 16, 1983 - after 978 days.

However, decrying the turmoil in our world at the time. As a 13 year old riding around on this bike your world would be paved with gold on one of these babies.

I urge you to think back to the first bike you owned. The economic / domestic politics part is not necessary but sink yourself into the hot soapy bath of 1st proper bike recollections and lather yourself up. It's toasty and warm and brings a fuzzy feeling into your heart - but I'm glad I'm riding something else these days.

UCI Mountain Bike World Cup 2009

UCI Mountain Bike World Cup 2009 - 6-9th June

We'll be at the Mountain bike World Cup this weekend with Danny Macaskill (Megaskill) making a special apperance just before the 4x finals on Saturday, think the atmosphere will be ACE. Hope the weather sticks it out because it's been stupendiously sunny this last wee while.

I may challenge Danny to a haggis eating and whisky drinking competition - might as well get properly competitive considering the company we'll be keeping. ;)

Find out stuff that 'The Clan' have been up to and future appearances at the MB7 website, you can even book em' for your own event!
http://www.mb7.com

Check out all the cool stuff that's coming up at the World Cup
http://www.fortwilliamworldcup.co.uk/fwwc_home.html

Dusty press coverage for team MB7

I just discovered an article that was published in the Scotland on Sunday about a year ago - the yellowing sliver of paper was being used as a bookmark in a World Atlas... I was looking at how former Yugoslavia is divvied up these days.

Don't ask - this is how country folk entertain themselves on a pre-teatime, post garden lolling weekend evening. (Cracking all day barbeque was had yesterday... awesomely chilled.)

Anywaaay. I found the article and mulled over how things have progressed since those days. We are still offering the same type of courses which are the lovely Tweed Valley based stuff that Andy manages but we've added natural guided rides and self guided packs since then, we've also made a rather massive foray into events and travelling demos across the UK which Iain spends half (...um....all) of his life travelling to and from. Hopefully we'll get some more 'company' days out this year and see if we can't manufacture an entertaining crash for any spectators.

We'll wait and see what 2009/2010 brings... hopefully more of the same cracking experiences with visitors and clients and events that we've been dishing out since 2004. Bring it on!!! :)

I also thought that the fair readers of MB7 blog-land might want to check out Andy's coupon* in the photo. He was about three inches away from Iain's handlebars hence the funny look on his face... Lol. Well worth a read too in case you haven't read it before...

http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/features/Take-two.3665772.jp


(* this is Scottish slang for face in case you don't know what I'm on about..och aye the noo etc)

Two wheels escaped indoors....

Normally seen on the trails and hills of Innerleithen, Glentress and across Scotland. Cotic is seen in Innerleithen kitchen shocker!

Andy MB7 rides up the stairs into the house and right into the kitchen - think he's worried that as soon as he steps off the bike fatigue will set in. It's right that he stops where cream soda and bourbon biscuits reside.

Note to self - make sure there's enough snack bars in the rucksack next time......

Mountain Biking Frolics N' Fun!

Mountain biking at Glentress again with a cracking intermediate group. Top bunch of guys who really got into the course. Days like this are so much fun and I think they all went away feeling pretty darned good about themselves.

Found this comment from Mark from 'The Bike Chain' who was on the course....

Feedback is always good to hear!

It really helps us know we're on the right track with our course content.

http://www.thebikechain.co.uk/

"Mark went along to learn how to ride a bike a bit better - Andy Weir at MB7 showed me how to corner... properly!

He then helped me beat my fear of even the most gentle of drops and then made me ride stuff with my eyes shut.

A great boost to the skills - you should give it a go! Well worth the money and Andy has a great manner that really encourages you to push yourself into what he calls 'The Stretch Zone'."

Francais and return to Tweed

I've been on holiday to France with my buddy to help renovate his holiday gaff. A little bit of timber panelling done and dusted, two days to drink beer and soak up the local hospitality before a return hame.

What's to say?
'Le chambre est trop petite?' or maybe 'Ce terrain est tres boueux'. Probably more like... 'Deux bier por favor...' ummmmm, 'merci becooooop'.s.'
*HELP!*

Returned now to the Tweed. Sky's blue, grass green, lambs fattening up in the field. Nice to be home.
:)

Logsplitters R Us

I have a fetish for logs, I have to come clean... Since I moved to Inners two years ago I've become this strange beast that scans every woodland and stand of trees for useful things to burn.

I used to look at trees as lovely things that provided shade on sunny days (*haahahahaha - all of Scotland*) and homes for birds, beasts and bugs, as things that could really make a viewpoint, a thing to ride in and out of for joy and stupid fun, a thing to ride in and out of and hit really hard and hurt yourself, a hiding place, a solitary haven, a breathtaking autumn scene.

Now I generally want to see if anything's fallen so I can magic it away to my garden and spend hours playing with my logsplitter and woodshed. I think its an affliction that affects men of a certain age with gardens, wives (not plural) and open fires.

I used to play in a band and tour the country in shitty old vans and sleep on strangers floors getting up to silliness - all good, and now I split logs and enjoy the burn. Getting older is really not worth worrying about. Don't fight it - feel it.

Didn't primal scream say that in an album that I listened to in my 20's? I might have found the point....

Finding the time....

Been out riding after work up and around Innerleithen.

It was a lovely evening after a full week of rain and the blue skies finally peeked through. A couple of friends who live here suggested it so a wee posse of four of us went for a post work scoot for an hour or so.

Up a short steep climb, bounced over a few roots and rocks and onto a wide path right through the hillside, chatting away for twenty mins about this and that, its a cracking way to chew the fat with some buddies. Who needs dinner parties? Not us. Unless there's rhubarb crumble on the menu and then I might consider it.

A doubleback and another sharp climb led to a lovely meandering descent through rocks down to the gowfie. Back onto forest road, another climb and around a local viewpoint. We could see Innerleithen's Caddonbank in the washed out pinkish light of the dropping sun and a field of dairy coo's over in the field yonder near the river Tweed - views right down the valley. It's a cracking place in this weather.

Down some rooty descents through the woodland and off falls the wife slipping on a slimy root and onto yon arse. Too much braking! She's still smiling thankfully. Our ride host tactfully suggested 'it was your own fault'. Yup, still smiling. Must be better than staying in and thinking about doing that filing thats piling up in the office.

Think there's more mini riding missions needed, even an hour after work makes all the difference.

MB7 springtime vibe riding in Tweed

We've been riding! :)

It was a glorious day here in the Tweed Valley so the short shorts were dusted off, a cheeky wee off the shoulder number slung on. Packed lunches including tunnocks teacakes.

*Scottish people also eat haggis, drink whisky and wear kilts - we are a living, breathing stereotype. I imagine all people in London carry umbrellas and wear bowler hats too.*

Chucked the bikes in the back of the car bus and off to our start point a handful of miles down the road. Only an hour into our ride and you couldn't feel more remote.

Nestled in pillowy hills and surrounded by heather and singletrack. And it's not even windy! The gods are smiling on us today.

Two hours later we have finished our final superfast descent of the day and our grins could reach as far as our coast to coast route! Giggling all the way down the hill today and it reminds you that with only a little effort your day can go from.... mmmmnnn, ok,s'pose. To.... WhooHoo!

Full Colour Blog!

Well here we are with our full colour blog!

We've been watching our lad Danny Macaskill on the telly doing things to railings that shouldn't be humanly possible.

Danny rides for 'The Clan' popping up and down the country with MB7's display team when he's not risking life and limbs doing some sweet trial / stunt riding the other 22 hours a day.

Look out for him all over the news/website/world.

World domination from a lad from Skye, who'd a thought it...

http://www.mb7.com/TheClan/index.htm