• Latest Press Release - 30 May 2007
• Chilli Video at the Sutherland Raid!
• Free Red Bull!
• Highland Bicycle Co Bike Workshop
• Daniel Macaskill and Duncan Shaw Trials Demos!
• Healthways North Shore course and Turbo Racing
• Press Release - 13 March 2007

Latest Press Release - 30 May 2007

INAUGURAL EVENT VOTED MASSIVE SUCCESS

30 May 2007: Everyone involved in last weekend’s Sutherland Raid mountain biking event at Golspie has voted the event a massive success. The first major competition to be staged on the Highland Wildcat Trail mountain bike tracks, which opened last November offered a range of events for all standards of bike riders.

There were challenging cross-country routes, world-class MTB routes on the slopes of Ben Bhraggie, relays and time trials with outstanding demonstrations of skill and ability. The Raid also included the Highlands Schools championships with fantastic enthusiasm from all the youngsters from local schools who took part.

In addition to the thrills of the biking action, there was non-stop showing of the best mountain biking footage from Chilli Videos, including the premier showing of ‘Illusionary Lines’. The ‘Event Base’ rocked to the sound of class acts, including ‘Make Model’ and ‘Edgar Prais’ up and coming young bands that have played at Isle of Skye Music Festival and T in the Park respectively.

Trials riders enthralled the spectators with outstanding demonstrations of skill and ability, while negotiating 10 feet high hay bale platforms, balancing on scaffold bars and tree trunks, showing amazing control and technique.

Feedback from entrants indicates the Sutherland Raid proved popular with everyone and looks set to become a regular event on the Mountain Biking Calendar. Comments from families participating over the weekend included:

“…. Very friendly, good organisation, very good circuit, a mix of everything; big thanks to the smiling marshals stuck out on some pretty remote locations…”

“…The best part for me was the course of the Sunday's race. It's so refreshing to have 'real' mountain biking in a race….”

“… It was really enjoyable for my whole family and we took part in senior and primary school events…..”

“…. The music, trials display and children's/youth events were really good and made it an event for the whole family. I really hope the event will go from strength to strength as it is a real test of all round riding ability that is rare in other events and was a great social event too. Well done and thanks to all those involved in organising and putting on the event!....” 

Andrew Macleod,Trail Manager of the Highland Wildcat Golspie Trail commented:

“Our inaugural Sutherland Raid has been a massive success – mainly because it catered for a range of ages and abilities. We also had a great mix of social events and entertainment going on throughout the weekend. We’ve had a great team who have helped make the whole thing happen. We’re really pleased with all the positive feedback and are looking ahead to 2008 when hopefully the Sutherland Raid will attract even more people to the area.”

Organisers are already making plans for the 2008 Sutherland Raid and will announce dates in due course.

Chilli Video are sending some fantastic new mountain bike film releases, hot off the press, for the Sutherland Raid to show over the event weekend!  This includes the premiere of Illusionary Lines!  This film is the next in the Super8 series, only bigger and better.  Illusionary Lines has been with the World Cup circus for the entire journey capturing every winner of a World Cup ripping in an isolated and unique part of the globe.

Chilli Video films will be showing over the weekend at the event base, so take some time out after riding to chill out and catch the latest films and some classic mountain bike action playing throughout the event.

Chilli Video is a truly rider owned and rider run. They produce, licence, wholesale and retail action sports films.  With a focus on cycle sports, Chilli Video boasts one of the most comprehensive catalogues in the world. As well as licensing top selling titles such as the New World Disorder Series, the Chain Reaction Series and the Earthed series they also produce our own films.

To visit Chilli Video, click here or on the logo above.

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Red Bull

The Red Bull Energy Team are coming to Golspie!  They will be bringing the Red Bull Mini up to the Sutherland Raid and will be handing out free refreshments to all participants at the event, keeping you going all weekend!

Check out the Red bull website here...

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Highland Bicycle Co workshop

The Highland Bicycle Co is bringing their workshop, and mechanics up to Golspie for the weekend.  They are offering full race support and on site repairs for participants, to keep your bikes in top running order and provide you with everything you need to fix them should things go wrong!

Based in Inverness, Highland Bicycle Company is the new name for Highland Cycles. Established back in 1998 Highland Cycles quickly became one of the best known bike shops in Scotland offering friendly service and a huge range of bikes, clothing and accessories in stock. 

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Daniel Macaskill and Duncan Shaw Trials Demos!

Top UK trials riders Daniel Macaskill and Duncan Shaw have just been confirmed to provide us with trials demos over the weekend.

The boys will be doing demos at the event on both the Saturday and Sunday, over a variety of man made and natural obstacles at the Sutherland Raid event base.

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Healthways Bike Obstacle Course and Turbo Racing

Healthways Ross and Cromarty are bringing their North Shore style bike obstacle course to Golspie for the weekend.  There will be oppertunities for everyone one to have a go and test their skills, with exclusive sessions for under 16s over the weekend.

Riders under 16 years old will have the chance to practise on Saturday, then on Sunday the obstacle course will form part of the competition alongside the Ben Bhraggie Circuit. 

Healthways will also be running Turbo Racing over the weekend.  Anyone can enter, and riders will be timed on fixed wheel cycles over a distance of one kilometre.

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The Sutherland Raid, 26-27 May 2007

An Exciting New Mountain Biking Event in the Highlands

Organisers are pleased to announced details of an exciting new mountain biking event in the Highlands. The Sutherland Raid invites bikers of all ages and abilities to enter a combination of team and individual events. The weekend activities will all be based around the new world-class £0.5 million Highland Wildcat Trails facility at Golspie in the Scottish Highlands.

The Sutherland Raid will take place over the bank holiday weekend of 26th and 27th May 2007 and anyone interested in taking part is encouraged to get their entry forms in soon.

Highland Wildcat is tipped as one of the most exciting and dynamic trail facilities on the Scottish mountain biking circuit, with the longest single-track climb & descent in UK.

The weekend’s core programme will feature a 50K cross-country circuit through Strath Brora and a relay over Ben Bhraggie to test both endurance and technical ability.

Alongside the main event, there will be a range of other activities for everyone to get involved. For riders aged under 16, there will be a full programme of activities, with a shorter cross-country circuit on the Saturday and a timed
race circuit on Ben Bhraggie on Sunday. As well as this, Healthways Ross and Cromarty are bringing their North Shore style bike obstacle course to Golspie, with opportunities for all ages to test their skills.

Top UK trials riders Daniel Macaskill and Duncan Shaw will be providing exciting demos throughout the weekend over a variety of man-made and natural obstacles.

The Sutherland Raid promises to be more than just a Mountain Biking Festival; organisers promise a great atmosphere with food, bands, entertainment and side shows, and is expected to attract visitors from far afield to enjoy the wonderful scenery and attractions of Sutherland.

For further details and entry form, visit the website: www.sutherlandraid.com

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