Mountain Biking in the Tweed Valley

In 2022 I was asked to research the history of mountain biking in the Tweed Valley and Innerleithen, and to then deliver a talk on it. This was a fringe event for the Enduro World Series extravaganza in town in June of that year. I really enjoyed this process, trying to frame the rise of mountain biking from the eyes of a local who has grown up here and is not a mountain biker (other than occasional scoot/wheeze round the Glentress trail centre). The talk went down well, was supported in good numbers and I ended up doing it again last night due to the demand. The history behind the sport in the area is really interesting and I have been thinking about what I can do to make sure the work I put in isn’t lost or forgotten. To begin with I want to share a timeline of how mountain biking developed in the Tweed Valley here, on the blog. I think it’s important to stress that this is my version of this history, I make no claims to it being definitive as it’s what I think was important - your mileage may vary... Anyway, here is the timeline. Have a look and do get in touch if you have any questions (or corrections!!) *Updated for 2024*

1919 – Forestry Commission (Scotland) formed.  The first trees at Glentress are planted the following year, Cardrona Forest follows in the 1930’s and rest of Tweed Valley post WW2.

1970’s – Enduro Motorbikes begin using forest trails in Tweed Valley.  This scene will grow over the coming decades, punching well above it’s weight.

Early 1980’s– First commercially available mountain bikes begin trickling to UK.

1985 – Arthur Phillips, retired resident of Peebles and keen mountaineer borrows a Mountain Bike and loves it! He starts ‘Scottish Borders Trails’ MTB hire and guiding business out of Glentress Forest.  His business runs for over 10 years.

1987 – Peebles Parade XC races at Cloich (near Eddleston) and first XC races at Glentress. 

1989 – Borders Bash Downhill (on forest roads) at Yair.

Early 1990’s – MTB Races on Forest Roads at Caberston, pedal up and bomb back down on fully rigid bikes.

1993 – British Enduro Motorbike Champs at Walkerburn.

1995 – Tom Ferguson opens ‘Bikesport’ in Innerleithen High Street, moving to old Church building on Peebles Road the following year.

1997 – First Downhill race on custom built MTB tracks at Innerleithen, designed by Bikesport crew.  ‘The 39 Steps’ is still used today.  Word is well and truly out – top World Cup riders become regulars in Innerleithen.

1999 – First Red Singletrack is built at Glentress by Pete Laing and Dougie Renwick of Selkirk, funded by The Tweed Forum.

2000 – UK Downhill Championships at Innerleithen.  Tweed Valley is designated one of Scotland’s ‘Forest Parks’ with Rally Driving and Motorbike racing no longer encouraged, focus is on families and recreation – mountain bikes start to take over.

2001 – Scottish Downhill Association (SDA) forms from Scottish Cyclists Union MTB races (SCUMTB), with Peebles residents Stuart and Linda Ruffell among the key figures. A round of SDA has been held at Innerleithen every year since.  Tweed Valley youngsters will shine in SDA and still do to this day.

2002 – 7 Stanes Project takes off, Glentress Black is built by Pete & Dougie joined by Dik Hamilton and Andy Wardman.  ‘The Hub in the Forest’ opens, Emma Guy and Tracy Brunger influential in bringing MTB culture to Peeblesshire.

2004 – Innerleithen XC, including Caddon Bank, opens and work begins on GT Freeride and reimagined Spooky Wood.  In the years that follow The Forestry Commission, and Dik, build more DH tracks at Innerleithen - Gold Run, Cresta etc.

2009 – Strava is launched, Instagram the year after. Secret, locals trails across the Tweed Valley are no quite as secret any longer.

2010 – Tweedlove begins.  Peebles Cycling Club Dirt Crit races are hugely popular at Glentress.

2011 – First Innerleithen MTB Racing Enduros are held (including day/night races) and the first Glentress 7.

2012 – IXS European DH Cup at Innerleithen (Lewis Buchanan and Ruriadh Cunningham, local lads, make the Senior podium). Tweedlove launch the ‘King and Queen of The Hill’ Enduro (Andy Barlow & Katy Winton grabbing the crowns) and EWS is born in Innerleithen.

2013 – Scottish Enduro Series begins.

2014 - EWS comes to The Tweed Valley, returning the following year in collaboration with Tweedlove.  Number One Café opens on Peebles Road.

2015 - A meeting in the pub leads to the formation of Tweed Valley Trails Association, bringing a degree of legitimacy to off piste trails across the valley.

2016 – Tweedlove International Enduro includes mega popular ‘Flat White’ trail at Caberston AKA The Golfie.

2018 – Adrenaline Uplift opens at Innerleithen. The FNY Collective is formed.

2019 – Kids Innerleithen Cycle Club (KICC) named Scottish MTB club of the year.

2020 – Covid shuts down everything.  When it opens up EVERYONE and their mum comes to Innerleithen to ride their bike, highlighting the lack of facilities in the area.

2021 – EWS returns to Tweed Valley, produced by an in-house team.  Ride Innerleithen and The Bike Shop open, joining Tweed Valley Bikes and I-Cycles in Innerleithen.

2021 - In November Storm Arwen destroys a number of well regarded Enduro trails in the Tweed Valley.

2022 – EWS again at Innerleithen in June.  It has not returned since changing to Enduro World Cup.

2023 – World XC Champs at Glentress in August. Tom Pidcock steals the show with victory in men’s Olympic.

2023 - Confirmation of a a £19 million MTB Innovation Centre at Caerlee Mill in Innerleithen.

2023 - In October a range of new taster trails open at Glentress, as well as flowy, final descents to existing trail network. The ‘Glentress Masterplan’ arrives, though early complaints are made over maintenance of new and existing trails.

2024 - Tweedlove Festival announces it is to end, with September’s Enduro in Innerleithen the final event.

2024- Confirmation that MTB Innovation Centre will not now be built at Caerlee, with alternative site being sought.