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Mountain Bike Race for Aberdeen 8th April 2010 On Saturday 3rd July 2010 Deeside Thistle Cycling Club will be holding the first Grampian District XC Mountain Bike Race in Kirkhill forest near Aberdeen. The event will be a multi-lap cross-country course on the popular bike trails through the forest with categories for all ages and abilities (including junior). The event is intended to attract not just experienced racers but also those who are new to mountain bike riding and racing. Speyside Way Landslip 3rd April 2010 An area of landslip has been cordoned off between Carron and Knockando. This is potentially very serious for the Speyside Way, but until the snow melts the damage cannot be fully assessed. Fortunately the Way is not currently closed at this point, but the situation could worsen at any time. It is recommended that you approach and pass the area with great caution. Dual Bike for Hire 3rd April 2010 A new specially adapted cycle for people with disabilities will be available to hire for free from Sunday, 04 April to Sunday, 31 October from Aberdeen Beach Leisure Centre, Beach Promenade. Provided by Dundee-based charity PAMIS, the dual bike will enable people with disabilities and their carers to enjoy a cycle ride along the beach front. In order to hire the bike: three forms of ID are required; cycling helmets advised; hirers must be experienced in operating a hoist but only if it is required; provide additional straps or padding to ensure a safe, secure and comfy ride. A hoist is available however people will have to bring their own sling. To hire the bike contact Aberdeen Beach Leisure Centre on (01224) 655401. It is for use along the beach front only - maximum hire two hours. Although the hire is free donations are welcome which will go towards the maintenance of the bike. PAMIS is a voluntary organisation, which works with people with profound, and multiple learning disabilities, their family carers and professionals who support them across Scotland. Moray Great Bike Ride 24th March 2010 The annual Moray Great Bike Ride is to adopt a new format this year. In previous years the popular event has seen cyclists of all ages complete a choice of routes starting and finishing at the Cooper Park in Elgin. However, in an effort to encourage even more people to take part, satellite rides are to be staged in the Cullen and Keith areas in addition to the main Elgin ride. The combined distances amount to approximately 100 miles. Over the years the Moray Great Bike Ride has raised more than £50,000 for the Grampian Society for the Blind. This year's proceeds will go to the combined Moray Sensory Service which provides assistance and support to both people with sight and hearing impairment. As a result of the new format for the bike ride, volunteers are being sought to help register participants on the day of the event (Sunday, July 4) and to marshal the routes. Volunteers are essential for the success of the event and anyone who would like to help out at any of the three venues should contact Moray Council assistant leisure officer Nicola Davidson on 01343 557146. New Deeside Way Bridge 19th March 2010 A new footbridge providing improved continuity for cyclists along the Deeside Way has been officially opened. This is good news for the estimated 200 cyclists per day who use this stretch of the route. Regional transport body Nestrans has invested £170,000 into the structure which crosses over West Cults Road and has been designed and delivered by Aberdeen City Council. The new footbridge has greatly improved safety at the road crossing. No longer will cyclists have to negotiate a steep slope down to cross West Cults Road and then climb back up a slope to rejoin the route. Through this improvement it is hoped the route will be more attractive to the public and encourage further cyclists to use it for leisure or commuting. Aberdeen Councillor Kevin Stewart, chairman of Nestrans, said: "Through the Getabout initiative, Nestrans is working hard to promote walking and cycling as attractive alternative travel options and we hope that improving the standard of the route through the provision of facilities such as the new bridge and accessibility and resurfacing work undertaken by Sustrans in recent years will encourage more people to take advantage of the walking and cycling opportunities we have here on our doorstep." New Trail for Moray 7th February 2010 The possibility of a 100 mile trail in Moray looks brighter after a recent meeting in Elgin. It is proposed that The Moray Way will incorporate parts of the Dava Way, the Speyside Way, and the Moray Coast Trail. Currently the 3 routes have capacity to cater for more visitors. The Moray Way Project aims to bring relevant parts of the above paths into the framework of a continuous circular route of just less than 100 miles which will become increasingly attractive for outdoor pursuits from casual leisure on the one hand, to outdoor rugged activities on the other. The Moray Way Association is spearheading the development of the trail, and has already secured funding to help to create a definitive map, guide book and website. Drain Grating Thefts 23rd January 2010 More than 40 drain gratings have been stolen across Aberdeen city. Police warned that the 3ft-deep holes could have put road users, including cyclists, in serious danger. Areas hardest hit include Hazlehead, Beach Esplanade and Bridge of Don Moray Monster Trails 21st January 2010 Trails currently unrideable due to weather conditions. Car parks inaccessible. Harvesting News - Ben Aigan Mast Blast will be closed from December 2009 until end March 2010. - Ben Aigan Bunny will be closed from December 2009 until end March 2010. Advance notice: there will be harvesting operations on the Fochabers Ring during February & March 2010. The trail will be closed during this time. CycloCross Returns to North East 8th Nov 2009 After a long absence, cyclocross racing returned to North East Scotland with an exciting new event held at Knockburn Loch, near Banchory. The Deeside Thistle promoted race saw more than 40 senior riders battle round the 2km course which included sections of forest track, singletrack, tarmac, sand(!), and short steep climbs. The course followed the outside of the Knockburn Loch then surrounding land, with most of it being visible from the start/finish area. The hot showers were a welcome sight for the riders after their cold, muddy race. Local man Dan Whitehead, racing for Bikestation Ballater came in first, followed by Steven Turbitt of Glasgow United and Phil Kelman of the promoting club. Knockburn Loch is man-made and was created seven years ago by a local entrepreneur as a free-for-all sporting facility. It has been successfully used for open water triathlons and off-road duathlons. Deeside Way Diversion 30th October 2009 Work to build a new footbridge on the old Deeside railway line gets underway on 2nd November. Aberdeen City Council has designed and will construct the new bridge spanning West Cults Road to link the line over the street. The project is been supported by Nestrans as part of its work to promote walking and cycling options in the region. For safety reasons, the Deeside line will be closed between Park Brae and Golf Road for up to 10 weeks while the work is carried out. There will be a signed diversionary route in place along School Road, North Deeside Road and Golf Road. 10th Moray Great Bike Ride 4th October 2009 The 10th Moray Great Bike Ride in association with Grampian Society for the Blind takes place on 4th October. The fun event has three routes - 25 miles, 10 miles and 1 mile. See our charity rides page for entry details. Aberdeenshire Plan Launched 28th September 2009 Aberdeenshire Council's first Walking and Cycling Action Plan was launched at an event to celebrate European Car-Free Day. The plan outlines a range of actions and policies the authority will use to encourage more people to walk and cycle. Amongst the initiatives promoted in the Action Plan are cycle demonstration towns, park and cycle schemes, and reward schemes for walkers and cyclists. Download a copy of the plan from the Aberdeenshire Council's website. Speyside Way Diversion 9th September 2009 The Speyside Way has suffered substantial flood damage, mainly around Fochabers, and is impassable on the waymarked route in several places. A substantial diversion has been set up and is likely to remain in place for some time: From the north. Leave the waymarked route in the Fochabers Bicentennial Park and follow the A96 along the High Street in Fochabers as far as East Street. Turn southwards on East Street, which becomes Ordiequish Road, and continue on this road until you pick up the waymarkers again. From the south. Instead of turning off Ordiequish road onto a grassy path at the point marked 'Ordiequish road junction' on the map above, follow this road all the way into Fochabers, where it becomes East Street. Where East Street meets the High Street, turn left and follow this main road through the village until just before the road bridge over the River Spey. Turn left into the Fochabers Bicentennial Park where you will pick up the waymarked route again. Children 1st Balmoral Bike Ride 10th May 2009 Following the very successful inaugural event in 2008 the Balmoral Bike Ride in support of Children 1st is back - by popular demand. There are two circular routes available plus a mini off road event for younger children. Route 1 - 16 road miles Route 2 - 30 road and cycle route miles Both routes will be marshalled, have water and snack stops and will have roving, highly qualified first-aiders - just in case. There will also be a bike breakdown/collection service available should you need it. See our charity rides page for entry details.