THE full programme for an international mountain biking conference to be held at Peebles Hydro Hotel next month has been launched this week.

The conference programme, which will run from November 11 to 13, is split into three distinct but interlinked days with delegates from around the world coming together to learn, share and discuss the important issues affecting the growing activity.

Graeme McLean, project manager for organisers, Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland (DMBinS), explained the format for the international mountain biking conference. He said: “On the first day of the conference we will be focussing on how we can grow participation and improve the pathway into the sport of mountain biking.

“We are delighted that Chris Foggin from Bike NZ will be joining us to tell us about the successes which New Zealand have had creating innovative participation programmes and engaging communities to help maintain and improve trail networks. Local hero, Grant Ferguson, a star of the Commonwealth Games will also talk about his journey, from riding the trails in and around Peebles to being one of the rising stars in the UCI cross country world stage. The day will be opened by a keynote address from Ian Ross, Chair of Scottish Natural Heritage and will include further updates and workshops directed at how best we can grow mountain biking in Scotland.” The middle day of the conference will focus on the contribution which mountain biking makes to tourism and growing the Scottish economy.

Graeme discusses some of the highlights of the day “We are delighted that the world’s foremost mountain biking adventurer, Hans “No Way” Rey, can join us to tell us of his experiences riding all over the world and where he thinks the future lies for mountain biking adventures. Darren Kinnaird, general manager of the world’s largest bike festival, Crankworx, will be sharing some of the secrets of their success in bringing 140,000 bike enthusiasts to Whistler in Canada annually.

“Another local to the Peebles area, Chris Ball founding director of the Enduro World Series, will present alongside the organiser of the Fort William Downhill World Cup, Lesley Beck, on the impact major international events have on Scottish mountain biking. We also have workshops which will bring people together to discuss the issues affecting mountain biking in Scotland.” The third day of the conference offers up an opportunity for delegates to spread their wings across Scotland and visit some of the amazing case studies of good practice which are happening across the country.

Graeme explains it was a difficult choice to decide on the field visits: “It is a genuinely exciting time for mountain biking in Scotland with every city, and lots of towns and villages, in Scotland likely to have a trail network by 2015, a growing interest in local riders maintaining their trails and a business community which is seeing the full potential in what mountain biking could bring to Scotland both in terms of offering quality tourism experiences and producing bike products, such as bikes, clothing, lubricants and more.

“The field visits will also be a great opportunity for delegates to get on their bikes and experience Scotland’s great outdoors and our world class mountain biking resource.” Although the conference will be focused on improving the activity, it will also have a strong social element including a special 'Taste of Scotland’ dinner on the Tuesday evening and on the Wednesday evening there will be a 'No Way’ Night Ride, then back to the hotel for a social evening featuring a limited edition Hans Rey IPA from local brewery Freewheelin, food, judging our photography competition and films playing into the small hours. The conference will provide opportunities for the mountain bike community to socialise and network.

The conference aims to build on the success of two previous conferences organised in 2010 and 2012 by DMBinS. Brian Porteous, chair of the DMBinS project, said: “In 2012 we ran a national conference which investigated whether Scotland was world class for mountain biking. While it was recognised that Scotland was still one of the world’s best locations for mountain biking and promoting its development well, it was felt that we could reach out more to learn from the rest of the world and share our good practice. This year’s conference gives us the chance to share experiences of others from around the world and to share our own experience.” “We are grateful for the support we are receiving from our event partners Visit Scotland, Scottish Borders Council and Edinburgh Napier University who are helping us to bring this exciting international conference to Peebles.” To view the full programme for the conference visit http://www.dmbins.com/developing/conference-page/2014-programme