New tracks help fuel next cycling generation

Leading cyclists believe a surge in the number of pump tracks opening across the Scottish Borders can help generate the next generation of superstars.

Former Scottish mountain bike champion Kerry MacPhee and rising star, Ben Allan, enjoyed a spin around the latest track to open in Stow recently.

Both are confident the increased facilities are helping drive forward the sport - in the Borders and across Scotland.

Ben, who is one of British Cycling's top hopes in mountain bike cross-country, said: "I grew up near Peebles with a pump track on my doorstep and it taught me everything I needed to know with basic skills."

Pump tracks are designed to create a safe, fun and inclusive area for the likes of BMX bikes, scooters, skateboards and rollerblades.

Their design combines rolling jumps with turns that teach the basic skills of carrying momentum, balance and speed.

Over the past couple of decades the Borders has produced an endless string of road and off-road cycling champions.

While the likes of Ruaridh Cunningham, Isla Short, and Reece Wilson have shone on mountain bike courses, the likes of Oscar Onley and Callum Thornley are regular challengers at some of the biggest road races in the world.

Continued investment in pump tracks - as well as upgrading mountain bike facilities in the Tweed Valley and at Newcastleton - is encouraging more youngsters than ever onto two wheels.

Ben, who is about to embark on his first international Under 23s season, added: "Even at a small village like Stow you can see the appetite there is for cycling.

"Pump tracks are a form of acceleration-progression for bike skills - you learn things really quickly."

Almost every town in the Scottish Borders now has its own pump track with three opening in the past year - at Jedburgh, Walkerburn and Stow.

EDF Renewables community liaison officer Kerry MacPhee competed at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in mountain biking.

She said: "I regularly see all of the community benefits that come from EDF Renewable developments, but this is particularly special for me.

"I'm told that since the pump track opened the children are never off it.

"Pump tracks are great fun - and that fun can lead to them taking cycling more seriously as they get older."

Funding for the track in Stow came from Scottish Borders Council, as well as Sportscotland, Scottish Cycling, EDF Renewables, SSE Renewables and the National Lottery.

Jo McBeath, from the Stow Pump Track fundraising group, said: "The roads aren't always safe to ride on for children so we felt it was vital to have a facility like this in the village.

"Since opening we have children coming from all over the valley to ride on the pump track."