The Outdoors Show, Birmingham NEC, 27th - 29th March

Phew, just back from promoting Visittweedvalley at The Outdoors Show at the NEC in Birmingham where Scotland’s mountain bike display team, ‘The Clan’ who, along with the help of some of the TVTC members built a mini Glentress with a brilliant ‘have-a-go area’ and a fantastic trials show.

The Outdoors Show covers everything from walking, canoeing, golf and fishing to biking and climbing. Upwards of 30,000 people were there to have a go at some of the activities, shop at the many outlets or to find out more about all the outdoor activities and where best to go, The Tweed Valley we hope!!

As part of the bike arena the TVTC setup a fantastic stand to promote the Tweed Valley and display all the excellent activities and accommodation within the valley.

From early on the Friday to late on the Sunday the stand was busy with enthusiasts, families, groups and clubs all wanting to know more about the Tweed Valley and what was on offer and when to visit. From the response on the stand it certainly looks as though lots people are heading this way to enjoy the best of what the Tweed Valley has to offer.

5th April 2009 - MBUK/BikeRadar.com Demo Day

If you are looking to purchase a new bike and not sure what you want, or have your eye on a particular model and would like to test it in the comfort of the best trail centre in the UK then you need to come along to MBUK/Bikeradar.com Demo Day at Glentress.

The event is totally FREE and will give you an opportunity to test and compare some of the latest and best bikes on the market. There'll be technical staff from What Mountain Bike, MBUK and BikeRadar.com on hand to help point you in the direction of the right bike for you. Booking advised

Midweek Offer from Kailzie Bunkhouse

If you’re looking for great accommodation at a low price, then the midweek breaks at the Kailzie bunkhouse near Cardrona and Glentress might appeal - prices down to just £15 per person per night, from now until the end of February 2009. This rate is available Monday to Thursday. So if you’re fishing, walking or cycling around the Tweed Valley, check them out. Please contact dorinda@btconnect.com for more details or call 01721 723334.

Kailzie launches new Bunkhouse for Mountain Bikers

The new Kailzie Bunkhouse close to Glentress and Innerleithen, next to Cardrona Forest in the Tweed Valley and opened on 21st August 2008.

We have 3 bunkrooms with 2 bunks in each (4 person rooms) all with either shower rooms or bathrooms en-suite.

There are also 2 dormitory style rooms with bunks and single beds sleeping 5 or 7 people, each also with a shower room.

There is a large communal kitchen and dining room with cookers, microwaves, fridges etc., and a cosy sitting room with television, DVD player and a wood-burning stove.

Full availability starts from 20th September but to inquire about dates for up to 24 people, follow this link to the Kailzie Gardens website.

There are also more photographs if you click on the Gallery link, with more expected next week.

Tweed Valley Mountain Bike Hospitality Scheme

“Mountain bikers climb into bed in Tweed Valley”

What do Britney Spears, Spooky Wood and Blue Velvet all have in common?

If you know that they are all names of some of the sections at Glentress Mountain Bike Centre near Peebles then chances are you are one of the 200,000 bikers who visit there each year.

Glentress is reputed to be the best mountain biking course in Britain and truly delivers a world class adventure product. The Tweed Valley Tourist Consortia recognises the importance of mountain biking tourists to the area but want to encourage more of them to stay a little longer and discover the wealth of other things that this stunning area has to offer.

As a result of listening to mountain bikers and finding out exactly what they would need from accommodation, they have developed a brand new Mountain Bikers Hospitality Scheme. This is a special collection of hotels, bed and breakfasts and self catering properties which are totally geared up to providing mountain bikers with everything they need for the perfect break.

As well as offering a lovely place to stay and a wonderful bike friendly welcome they can be assured of safe lockable storage for their prized mountain bike, bike washing and maintenance area, a clothes drying room and plenty of quality high carb meals to re-fuel for the next day’s adventure.

The Tweed Valley is the first area in Scotland to provide mountain bikers with a hospitality scheme which assures them of finding accommodation which is genuinely mountain bike friendly and focussed on providing them with a world class mountain biking experience in this beautiful corner of Scotland.

To find out how to book just visit www.visittweedvalley.co.uk and look out for the sign at accommodation properties throughout the Tweed Valley.

UK's First Womens Only Freeride Event: 4th and 5th October 2008

innerhaven wants Tweed Valley visitors to know all about a two day ladies mountainbike freeride event. With top level coaching and mtb displays on Saturday, there's a BBQ on the Sunday, and a fun competition for everyone to show off their newly honed freeride skills to a panel of judges - with plenty of prizes for entrants. This will all take place at Glentress Freeride Park and should be a really fun weekend with the chance to meet other budding female riders as well as learn new skills and challenge yourselves too.

There's a flyer with information, and entry forms will shortly be available from www.downhiller.co.uk or by contacting organiser Lynne Aitchison (aitchylynne@yahoo.co.uk).

If looking for accommodation during the event, just visit www.innerhaven.co.uk and quote "freeride" when making a booking enquiry to receive your discounted stay with us.