2018 Conference Programme - Day 1

While being a team manager for Gstaad-Scott, Claudio is setting the groundwork for future generations of cyclists by building pumptracks, pumpparks and downhill trails all over the world under his Velosolutions company.

In his talk he will explain how he is driving forward participation through pumptracks and urban developments right through to the latest from the cutting edge of the mountain bike world cup scene

KEVIN MAYNE - CYCLING INDUSTRIES EUROPE

Kevin Mayne is currently the Development Director of European Cyclists’ Federation and in early 2019 will become the Chief Executive of Cycling Industries Europe, a new international association for cycling businesses.

At ECF Kevin has been responsible for relations with the bicycle industry, fundraising and communications. The highly successful Cycling Industry Club is the predecessor to Cycling Industries Europe, enabling cycling related businesses to invest in advocacy actions to grow cycling across Europe, including the delivery of stronger industry within the European Cycling Strategy. He also leads ECF’s work on “Cycling as a new technology” which identifies the contribution cycling can make to smarter, connected mobility.

Kevin joined ECF’s staff in 2012 after success at growing cycling organisations and securing millions of funding for cycling in various roles in the NGO sector and as a government advisor. When he isn’t talking about cycling he is usually out riding as an active tourist, commuter and mountain biker. In his talk he will discuss how a new industry association spanning Europe is looking to engage the industry by having a powerful voice to help the sector reach its potential including developing a network of innovation centres across Europe and supporting trail advocacy.

PROFESSOR GERAINT FLORIDA JAMES – EDINBURGH NAPIER UNIVERSITY & MTBCoS 

Geraint is a highly acclaimed Professor in the School of Applied Sciences of Edinburgh Napier University and Lead Academic at the Mountain Bike Centre of Scotland (MTBCOS). He is also an associate editor of the Journal of Science and Cycling at Irish and British Cycling Coaching Conferences, as well as the World Congress of Science and Cycling. Geraint currently trains a number of elite athletes competing in the Enduro World Series

He is convinced that the same natural infrastructure that contributes to producing the huge number of elite mountain bikers currently based in Scotland, has also got the potential to produce world class mountain biking products. The key is to unlocking that potential. In his talk he will discuss how a proposed world class bike park & innovation centre will create growth through innovation, provide a gateway to Scotland’s academic research base for international businesses and be another reason for extended Scottish mountain biking tourism visit

ED SHOOTE – DMBinS TWEED VALLEY DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR

Ed’s approach to cycling is to ride everything – any bike, anywhere. Whether he’s on a mountain bike or a touring bike, it’s always about travelling fast, light and far, and he’s constantly excited by the idea of riding somewhere new.  Having lived on the move for most of the last decade, Ed has now cycled across most countries in Europe and Asia. He has now stopped in Scotland last year, and is exploring the country one track at a time.  We were delighted when Ed joined our Team as the Tweed Valley Development Coordinator.  His role has been key in the work to date with the Borderlands Initiative to help potentially develop a world class bike park & innovation centre  in the Tweed Valley.

DAVID HENDERSON-HOWAT   -  NATIONAL ACCESS FORUM 

David is currently the independent Convenor of the National Access Forum, which brings together representatives of land management and recreational bodies to advise on issues linked to Scottish access rights. He also works as a consultant for the United Nations Forum on Forests and the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation. Before that, he spent 33 years working for the Forestry Commission, mainly in Scotland but also in Norfolk, and on secondment in Swaziland. His outdoor activities include hill walking, and a bit of cycling and sea-kayaking. 

In his talk he will explain how new guidance developed by the National Access Forum has been created to help mountain bikers and land managers understand different perspectives on this issue, in the context of the Scottish access rights, and will suggest ways in which they can work together and try, where possible, to find solutions.

PAUL ERRINGTON - GRINDURO AND BRAND REPRESENTATIVE

Paul Errington is the owner of Northern Consultancy Co and has many years experience working with brands in both consultancy and project management capacities across a variety of business sectors.  He has competed in many of the world’s most challenging cycling events, and now organises many off-road drop bar cycle events in the UK such as the Dirty Reiver.  Paul is also a brand ambassador for Shand Cycles.  

During his talk, Paul will provide an insight into the future for brands and destinations by showcasing experience driven marketing.

GRANT MOIR - CAIRNGORMS NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY  (CNPA)

Grant is the CEO of the National Park Authority and will provide a welcome to the Cairngorms National Park, and discuss the opportunities and challenges in sustainably developing the sport across the Cairngorms.

DR PETE MAYHEW - CAIRNGORMS NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY  (CNPA)

Pete is the Director of Conservation & Visitor Experience at the National Park with  a wide remit.  He has the responsibility for conservation, heritage, land management, ranger services, skills development, recreation and outdoor access, education and visitor experience, inclusion and outdoor learning.

GRAEME MCLEAN - DEVELOPING MOUNTAIN BIKING IN SCOTLAND (DMBinS)

Graeme is the Project Manager for DMBinS and will provide an update on the progress being made DMBinS and its partners in delivering the national strategy and the key themes which DMBinS are proposing for the 2019-2025 strategy.

WORKSHOPS

Workshop 1 – Facilitated by Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland(DMBinS), Scottish Land & Estate and Forestry Commission Scotland

Trails: How will the new guidance on unauthorised trail help the management of ‘enduro’ trails? & how do we effectively plan for an e-bike revolution?

Workshop 2 – Hosted by Markus Hallerman CEO Komoot, Scotty Laughland, DMBinS & VisitScotland

Marketing: e-Platforms & Vloggers – how can destinations and marketeers work with trail platforms and vloggers to get messages out?

Workshop 3 – Facilitated by Cycling Industries Europe & Mountain Bike Centre of Scotland

Innovation: How does the sector continue to innovate – create new products and use collaborations – both formal and informal – to help sustain and grow?

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Click away to view the programme for Day 2 - Participation & Sport Development