Arran High School Mountain Bike Club

The Arran High School Mountain Bike Club was established in October 2014 and has rapidly increased in popularity. What started out as a cycling group to encourage healthy outdoor pursuits has blossomed into a burgeoning club which operates from its own incredibly well stocked workshop which has not only offered cycling proficiency lessons to primary schools in the area, but through their mechanic qualification courses, have offered free bicycle MOTs to school children and the public at their open days. In addition to this, members of the group are given the opportunity to visit cycling camps held throughout the country and the group have also established a public bike repair station at the high school where passing cyclists can use the equipment to perform minor repairs and maintenance on their bicycles. Donald Currie, from Shiskine says he is enjoying the club a lot. ‘Being a member of AHSMTBC has improved my fitness as well as teaching me a lot about bike maintenance. I can now fix a lot of problems myself’. Donald went on to say that his skill levels have improved and that has encouraged him to go out by himself, in his spare time. Duncan Coyne, a senior member of the club, enjoys the trips to mainland venues most. Glen Tress, one of the Seven Stanes trails is one of his favourites but he still enjoyed Glen Livet, Nevis Range, Comrie, Lagganlia and Wolf Trax. Duncan also says his fitness and bike skills have improved a lot. Ellie Bonner said that the club had helped with her confidence, both on a mountain bike and as part of a team. She said that the organised trips to mainland venues was great as she got to go with her friends and meet other people as well. She said: ‘I would never have thought to do mountain biking before but I am so pleased to be part of it, now I have tried off road’.