Mountain bikers of all ages are preparing to test their mettle on the trails of the Callendar Estate, Falkirk, as the annual Falkirk Funduro mountain bike event returns to the Central Belt on Saturday 25 November 2017. The family friendly races are being staged for a third consecutive year on the ever-expanding and increasingly popular network of trails that perfectly complement the walking and horse riding routes already available.
With all of the planned events firmly focused on having fun, the Falkirk Funduro will feature Mountain Bike racing for every age bracket. Toddler specialists Trail Tots will kick off the day with balance bike and pedal bike races and coaching for under 6’s in the bike park within the event village. Riders aged 6 to 11 can get their kicks in the “Mini Funduro”, a multi-stage race that goes a bit further afield and features timed forest stages (mostly downhill) on flowing green and blue graded trails.
The main Funduro starts early afternoon and is open to riders aged 12 and over. Riders have to tackle four timed stages on the estate’s more technical trails, with the option for riders to race after dark if they want to increase the challenge. Night racing is fairly uncommon in mountain biking and almost exclusively limited to super-tough 24hr endurance races, so the Falkirk Funduro offers a rare and welcome opportunity for riders to familiarise themselves with the trails in daylight before strapping on the lights and thrilling their senses by racing them after dark!
Aaron Gray of Falkirk Funduro organisers Muckmedden Events, said: “Falkirk Funduro just gets better every year! I think the riders love it due to the sheer variety of races for every age combined with the easy-going nature of the trails. The kids just love the Mini Funduro as they’re only timed on the good bits and they can take their Mum or Dad along for support; even carrying a big bag of sweets to keep them going! It’s great for boosting confidence in both the child and the parent.
There can be a bit of hanging around between all the races, but we just light up the bonfire and the Swedish candles and everyone just hangs out and stays cosy, or watches the other races until it’s their turn. It’s all very sociable. The atmosphere at the gap jumps last year was incredible, especially after dark. I can’t wait to see more of that this year!”
Since 2015, event organisers Muckmedden Events have been working in partnership with Bespoke Community Development Company, who are responsible for maintaining and developing Callendar Estate’s mountain bike trail network, to help promote the trails on the estate, including new red and black graded trails and the new bike skills park at Greenrig.
Falkirk Funduro makes for a great spectator event as the course is compact enough to allow family and friends to access some exciting course sections within minutes of the event village, including the new “Jack’s Track” black trail. Here they can cheer on/heckle the riders as they negotiate the spectacular new gap jump section.
Greenrig Cycles, which is permanently based in Greenrig, the site of the Funduro event village, will be open for spares and repairs throughout the event. They will also have a variety of demo bikes to try before you buy. A host of other traders will also be offering discounted bikes, services and accessories within the trade village.
Hot food and drink will be on hand all day, until after dark, for riders and spectators to enjoy as they warm their cockles by the bonfire. The fully licensed Canada Wood Kitchen is also situated within the event village to give people the option to cosy in and enjoy a gourmet meal, tray bakes and fresh coffee, or maybe something a little stronger, whilst muddy riders race past the windows.
As is now tradition at Muckmedden Events, a “Muckmaiden” Women’s Coaching Day and Night Ride will be held prior to the main event on Saturday 11 November 2017, to give female riders a chance to pre-ride the race stages with other female riders or have professional skills coaching in a female-specific environment.
For more information on the Falkirk Funduro and to enter online go to:
http://www.muckmedden.co.uk/our-events/falkirk-funduro
Images and Event Logos (images copyright Ian Potter):
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ly6qxadrsgh43yg/AAB17WJvFRLvbGuHPlxKCN4ma?dl=0
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Media Contact:
Paddy Cuthbert | Littlehouse Media | E: [email protected]
M: +44 (0)7913 951717
Notes to Editors:
Falkirk Funduro prices
Mini Funduro
MICRO Male and Female – Age 6 & 7 incl. – £10.00
MINI Male and Female – Age 8 & 9 incl. – £15.00
MIDI Male and Female – Age 10 & 11 incl. – £15.00
Falkirk Funduro – Day Only
Juvenile Male and Female- Age 12-13 incl. £20.00
Youth Male and Female – Age 14-15 incl. £20.00
Junior Male and Female – Age 16 – 17 incl. £25.00
Senior Male and Female – Age 18 – 29 incl. £35.00
Master Male and Female – Age 30 – 39 incl. £35.00
Vet Male and Female – Age 40 – 49 incl. £35.00
Grand Vet Male and Female – Age 50+ £35.00
Falkirk Funduro – Day & Night
Juvenile Male and Female- Age 12-13 incl. £25.00
Youth Male and Female – Age 14-15 incl. £25.00
Junior Male and Female – Age 16 – 17 incl. £30.00
Senior Male and Female – Age 18 – 29 incl. £45.00
Master Male and Female – Age 30 – 39 incl. £45.00
Vet Male and Female – Age 40 – 49 incl. £45.00
Grand Vet Male and Female – Age 50+ £45.00
Please note: Younger riders may require Chaperones in certain races.
Demo Bikes
Free (Photo id required)
Sponsors, partners and supporters
Hosts:
Callendar Estate – http://www.callendarestate.co.uk
Bespoke Community Development Company – http://www.bespokefalkirk.co.uk
Event Organiser:
Muckmedden Events – http://www.muckmedden.co.uk/
Event Sponsors:
Exposure Lights – http://www.exposurelights.com/
The Cycle Jersey – http://www.thecyclejersey.com/
Progression Bikes – https://www.progressionbikesscotland.com/
Alechemy Brewing – http://alechemybrewing.com/
Horizon Watches – http://www.horizonwatches.co.uk/
Greenrig Cycles – http://www.greenrigcycles.bike/
Canada Wood Kitchen – https://canadawoodkitchen.com/
Callendar Estate is a forward looking modern estate which recognises the importance of the traditional rural estate activities of food and timber production however it is equally in tune with the need to satisfy the recreational and leisure activities of the nearby urban communities. As an estate that is located in central Scotland strategically placed between the economic power houses of Edinburgh and Glasgow, Callendar Estate has to be closely in tune with the needs of those that live and work in the communities immediately around it. The art of balancing the varying needs of rural and urban populations is never an easy one however Callendar Estate grasps these issues and works with all those around to move forward to maximise the use of the estate for the benefit of all.
