He was attending a photo opportunity at the Lawers Dam on Lochan na Lairige to promote the Highland Perthshire Cycling Festival (4 – 11 May 2013) where daredevil mountain bikers Adam Flint and Ben Miller were riding down the near vertical dam.

Both Euan and Elsie were given cameras and put through their paces.  They definitely impressed (and worried) their father.

See  images below:

Daredevil mountain biker Adam Flint rides down the Lawers Dam on Lochan na Lairige ahead of the Highland Perthshire Cycling Festival in Scotland.  Please Credit Elsie Cheyne (11).

Daredevil mountain bikers  Adam Flint (trousers) and  Ben Miller ride down the Lawers Dam on Lochan na Lairige ahead of the Highland Perthshire Cycling Festival in Scotland.  Please Credit Euan Cheyne (11)

Not to be outdone Russell Cheyne wanted to show his kids how it was done.

Daredevil mountain bikers Adam Flint (trousers) and  Ben Miller rides down the Lawers Dam on Lochan na Lairige ahead of the Highland Perthshire Cycling Festival in Scotland.  Please Credit Russell Cheyne.

If you would like further information or would like to chat with Russell and his kids please contact Russell Cheyne on 07795833345.

Highland Perthshire Cycling, a community group who promote and develop cycling in Highland Perthshire, organise an annual week long cycling festival, The Highland Perthshire Cycling Festival, whicj this year takes place from Saturday 4 to Saturday 11 of May.

The wide range of both tarmac and trail bike events across the region, aimed at cyclists of all ages and abilities, reinforces Highland Perthshire’s reputation as one of the UK’s premier cycling destinations.

For more information on Highland Perthshire Cycling and The Highland Perthshire Cycling Festival – visit: http://www.highlandperthshirecycling.co.uk/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Highland-Perthshire-Cycling/333320520038338

Twitter - @HPCycling

This year’s busy roster of both free and paid events include races, guided rides (both on and off road), downhill taster sessions, bike focused fun days and a film night; all taking place ahead of the now legendary Marie Curie Cancer Care Etape Caledonia cycling event on Sunday 12May.

Excitement is building as last minute preparations get  under way for the week-long 2013 Highland Perthshire Cycling Festival  being staged across Highland Perthshire from Saturday 4 May to Saturday 11 May, ahead of the now legendary Marie Curie Cancer Care Etape Caledonia road cycling event.

This year’s busy roster of both free and paid events include races, guided rides (on and off road), downhill taster sessions, bike focused family fun days and a film night.  The wide ranging programme reinforces Highland Perthshire’s reputation as one of the UK’s premier cycling destinations.

Paul Bush OBE, Chief Operating Officer for EventScotland said: “Scotland is the perfect stage for events and once again the Highland Perthshire Cycling Festival has created a programme that will appeal to cyclists of all ages and abilities. The festival continues to grow, and there are a number of exciting new elements for 2013, which will attract visitors to the event. This year is the year of natural Scotland, and the stunning setting of the festival certainly adds to its appeal.”

There are only a few days to go until the Highland Perthshire Enduro, the new all mountain cross country stage race that kicks off the Festival on Saturday 4 May.  More than 140 mountain bike riders have signed up to take on this 49km off road challenge on the fantastic trails surrounding the village of Dunkeld.  Aimed at riders of all ages (14+) and abilities the route will feature lung puffing climbs and smile inducing technical descents, laid back singletrack, fast fire road, stunning views and, above all else, the chance for a fun ride with mates.

Due to this year’s harsh winter conditions work on a new  hand-made natural downhill section of the enduro course will only be completed this week, a few days before this flag ship event gets under way.

Katriona Brown from Highland Perthshire Cycling said: ‘It wasn’t enough to bring mountain bike enduro to Highland Perthshire we wanted to add to the region’s route network by creating a new trail as part of the event legacy.  However the forestry work on the hillside was delayed by more than three weeks due to the prolonged snow cover, giving us precious little time to get the trail built.  With the support of some local mountain bike enthusiasts over the last few weeks we have created a natural, sweeping, fun downhill trail through a newly de-forested landscape and slate quarry that may well present a challenge for those without a downhill head but will be an exciting prospect for those with.”

Online entries are now closed for the Highland Perthshire Enduro .  However you can still enter on the day but you must be at registration (Polney Sawmill, Dunkeld, PH8 0HU ) by 8am on Saturday 4 May.  Entries cost £40 and riders must be 14 or over to take part.

Another new addition to this year’s programme is The Film Night at the new Birks Cinema, Aberfeldy, on Friday 10 May.  It includes a selection of fantastic amateur and professional cycling films with the audience voting for the best film of the night.  The evening will be headlined by adventure cyclists Graham Kitchener and Pauline Symaniak who will recount tales of their epic pedal across America with film clips and photos of the people, landscapes, wild weather and bears - 2 Scots - 2 bicycles - 4,000 miles across North America!

Women’s cycling is growing in popularity in Highland Perthshire.  This has been proven with the new Girls on Tour event, a relaxed guided ride for women and girls - 25 miles of flattish riding with lots of stops for chat, snacks, lunch and coffee - on Sunday 5 May.  Organisers have had to find additional professional guides to cope with the demand and are expecting up to 24 riders on the day.

On Friday 10 May Pitlochry High School will stage their Mini-Etape road cycling event for the fifth year running.  Up to 40 secondary pupils will ride one of four individual 20 to 40 mile sections of the full Etape Caledonia route to raise money for their afterschool outdoor activity programme.  They will be accompanied by teachers and other staff from the school, who have all achieved relevant cycle leader qualifications.

The importance of the festival has been recognised by EventScotland, Perth and Kinross Countryside Trust and Perth and Kinross Council as well as the local Destination Management Organisation, 2014 Community Fund and Explore Scotland who all offer financial or in-kind support.  There has also been continued private sector support from Alpine Bikes.

For more information on Highland Perthshire Cycling and The Highland Perthshire Cycling Festival – visit: http://www.highlandperthshirecycling.co.uk/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Highland-Perthshire-Cycling/333320520038338

Twitter - https://twitter.com/HPCycling

Riders of 14 and 15 can now enter the all mountain cross country stage race that kicks off the week-long Festival on Saturday 4 May 2013, over a 49km off road route on the diverse trails surrounding the village of Dunkeld.   It encompasses all the best bits of the Dunkeld valley in one exciting ride - lung puffing climbs and smile inducing technical descents, laid back singletrack, fast fire road and stunning views.  In true Enduro style, it will also contain at least four timed stages.

Kat Brown from Highland Perthshire Cycling said: “The Highland Perthshire Enduro is all about a challenging race that riders of all ages, abilities and styles can enjoy with their mates.  It’s great to see so much enthusiasm for this event from so many young riders and we urge as many as possible to sign up now.  We look forward to seeing them on the trails of the Enduro route at the beginning of May where I am sure they will be out to prove themselves to the older more experienced riders.”

Entries are selling fast and, with the deadline for entries looming ever closer, organisers, Highland Perthshire Cycling and No Fuss Events, are urging riders to grab their mates and sign up now.  Riders can enter via No Fuss Events, with cost of £40 per rider.

The week-long 2013 Highland Perthshire Cycling Festival will be staged from Saturday 4 to Saturday 11 of May.

For more information on Highland Perthshire Cycling and The Highland Perthshire Cycling Festival – visit: http://www.highlandperthshirecycling.co.uk/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Highland-Perthshire-Cycling/333320520038338

Twitter - https://twitter.com/HPCycling

The importance of the festival has been recognised by EventScotland, Perth and Kinross Countryside Trust and Perth and Kinross Council as well as Highland Perthshire, the local Destination Management Organisation and Explore Scotland who all offer financial or in-kind support.  There has also been continued private sector support from Alpine Bikes.

Highland Perthshire Cycling are excited to announce the first mountain bike enduro to be staged in cycling friendly Highland Perthshire, as part of the Highland Perthshire Cycling Festival  (4 -11 May 2013).

The Highland Perthshire Enduro; that takes on the latest and popular all mountain cross country stage race format for mountain bike competition, kicks off the week-long Festival on Saturday 4 May over a 49km off road route on the fantastic trails surrounding the village of Dunkeld.

Legendary endurance event organisers No Fuss Events, from Fort William, will be working in partnership with the team at Highland Perthshire Cycling to deliver this new flagship event for the Festival.

The Highland Perthshire Enduro encompasses all the best bits of the Dunkeld valley in one exciting ride - lung puffing climbs and smile inducing technical descents, laid back singletrack, fast fire road, stunning views and above all else the chance for a fun ride with mates, both old and new.  And, in true Enduro style, there will be at least four special timed stages that include a singletrack loop, a fun switchback descent and a challenging downhill section, with the winner accumulating the lowest combined time from these sections. However, in order to lend a bit more intrigue to proceedings the exact route will remain a secret until nearer to the event.

For the organisers it’s all about a race that everyone in the field can enjoy riding so the trails cater for riders of all abilities and styles.  The technical downhill sections can be ridden on a hard tail and there are chicken runs and easy lines the whole way down.

Entries are now open via No Fuss Events - http://nofussevents.co.uk/ - and cost £40.  You must be 16 or over to take part.

Kat Brown from Highland Perthshire Cycling said ‘It’s very exciting to have our own enduro in Highland Perthshire.   We love to get out on our bikes as much as possible and the route we have chosen takes in the great trails we ride all the time.  It made even more sense to link them all up into one big ride and invite like-minded riders looking for an achievable challenge to have as much fun as we do.  Sign up now for The Highland Perthshire Enduro to experience the fantastic riding to be had in Highland Perthshire.’ 

Frazer Coupland, Partner at No Fuss Events, said “It’s an exciting time in mountain biking at the moment and there is a real buzz about Enduro riding.   There is no doubt that Highland Perthshire has a fantastic mix of trails to create an iconic event.   Just to be a part of the Highland Perthshire Cycling Festival is amazing and we are all looking forward to it.”

For more information on Highland Perthshire Cycling and The Highland Perthshire Cycling Festival – visit: http://www.highlandperthshirecycling.co.uk/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Highland-Perthshire-Cycling/333320520038338

Twitter - @HPCycling

Other new festival events include guided road and mountain bike rides and a Film Night where amateur cyclists and film makers are being asked to submit a homemade cycling film which will be shown in the newly refurbished Birks Cinema in Aberfeldy. This Film Night will also show a professional feature cycling film and prizes will be given for the amateur film with the most votes.  The week also features family fun days, kids events, local rides and the well renowned BIG Day plus lost more!  The week all culminates in the legendary Etape Caledonia Sportive on Sunday 12 May.

The very popular Selkirk MTB Marathon (previously known as ‘the Merida’ and the ‘CRC’) is under new management and is being staged by Selkirk based Durty Events who are responsible for award winning triathlon and duathlon events throughout Scotland including the Durty Triathlon, Craggy Island Triathlon and the famous Celtman! Extreme Triathlon.

A British Cycling Spokesman said:  ‘We are delighted to be returning to Selkirk for the 2013 Marathon Championships.  The Scottish Borders have some excellent trails, and it’s one of the few areas in Britain that can provide a course over a single loop.  We had other applications which were considered but the Selkirk bid was considered to offer the best combination of date, proven course and established event infrastructure.’

The British MTB Championships are open to male and female riders (19 or older) who are British citizens and hold a full BC or UCI recognised racing licence; with coveted red, white and blue jerseys up for grabs. There are also integrated championship categories for veteran men and women.

For those non license holders who are taking part in The Selkirk MTB Marathon there are three fully marked courses with distances of 25km, 50km and 80km - something for families, novices, intermediates, enthusiasts and racing snakes alike.

All the courses are mainly ‘real’ mountain biking with a fantastic mix of natural and hand-made singletrack, twin-track forest roads and ancient drove roads.  Riders will visit the valleys of the Rivers Tweed, Yarrow and Ettrick. They can expect lung and thigh busting climbs that are rewarded with epic grin-inducing descents. The 80km course will also include some of the very best man-made trail centre routes at Innerleithen.

Renowned trail builder and course designer, Pete Laing (7Stanes and Golspie), is already scouting new sections to freshen up the marathon courses and will include a few special timed ‘Enduro’ sections to add a little more spice to the events.

Paul McGreal of Durty Events said: “We’re really chuffed to have been asked to organise the British Championships alongside the popular Selkirk Mountain Bike Marathon. We’re expecting the very best riders in the UK to come and test themselves on the very best single-lap course in the country. We believe we have the best trails the Scottish Borders has to offer and the most popular and challenging course in the UK which is why Selkirk has been voted ‘Best MTB Marathon’ several times. We aim to provide an achievable challenge for riders of every ability in fantastic surroundings with a lot of fun thrown in as well.”

The British MTB Marathon Championships and the Selkirk MTB Marathon will take place on Saturday 8 June 8 2013 and the event will be based at Selkirk Rugby Club.

Online entry is via www.entrycentral.com and there are also links from www.selkirkmtbmarathon.com.

Entry fees are:

80km British MTB Marathon Champs £40

25/50/80km Marathon £30. Entry on the day (subject to availability) £35.

12-15 year olds ride for free over the 25km course but must be accompanied by a full price entry adult.

Today (Friday 15 February) organisers of The Fort William Mountain Festival, presented by The Outdoor Capital of the UK, announced that Myrtle Simpson, the author and lecturer, former member of the Scottish Sports Council and former chair of the Scottish National Ski Council is the sixth recipient of The Scottish Award for Excellence in Mountain Culture.

Myrtle was selected for this award for her massive contribution and devotion to mountain culture in Scotland and throughout the world and her involvement in the development of skiing in Scotland; having had a key role in the setting up of Glencoe, Cairngorm and Nevis Range Ski centres.

As a climber, skier, canoeist, explorer and adventurer she has travelled all over the world to pursue her passion; from New Zealand, Peru and China to Greenland and the high Arctic.

Mike Pescod, Chairman of the Highland Mountain Culture Association, organisers of the Fort William Mountain Festival, said: “With the mindset of a true adventurer and explorer and the enthusiasm, dedication and devotion to climbing, skiing and outdoor culture Myrtle Simpson is truly inspiring.  She is the perfect ambassador for mountain culture.”

This prestigious annual award recognises and celebrates the achievements and accomplishments of one inspiring individual and their outstanding contributions to Scotland’s mountains, encompassing sport, theatre, art, photography, film and literature. It was set up in 2008 by the Highland Mountain Culture Association Ltd, organisers of the Fort William Mountain Festival, and is sponsored by Rio Tinto Alcan through Foundation Scotland. Previous winners include: Dr. Adam Watson (2012), Ian Sykes (2011), Jimmy Marshall (2010), Richard Else (2009) and Dr. Hamish MacInnes (2008).

2011 Award winner Ian Sykes, MBE, said: I can’t imagine anyone more deserving for this award.  There are very few men or women who have done as much in the mountains as Myrtle; and a true ambassador for women climbers.  She ticks all of the boxes.  She’s got loads of gumption and still going strong, definitely an inspiration.”

Mike Pescod, added: “To some people, like Myrtle Simpson, the draw of the mountains is so strong that they devote their entire life to them and make a massive contribution to the culture surrounding them in doing so. Recognition of their talent and commitment is rarely sought or given and this award is one opportunity to do so. We feel that this award not only celebrates their achievements and contributions but also represents the recognition of their peers.”

For full details of the Fort William Mountain Festival programme and The Scottish Award for Excellence in Mountain Culture go to - http://www.mountainfestival.co.uk

Myrtle Simpson – Biography

Myrtle Simpson, originally from Aldershot, qualified as a Radiographer in the 1950’s and her first job was at the Belford Hospital in Fort William. At this time Myrtle had already discovered the magic of the hills and was used to walking miles. Whilst in Fort William she worked under the magic of Donald Duff, a Mountain Rescue pioneer, and became accepted by the local Lochaber climbers, who were lead primarily by Jimmy Ness.

Myrtle chose to camp at Achintee for an entire year where she spent all of her spare time climbing, walking and boating and during this time also learnt to ski on the golf course at Spean Bridge. At this time Myrtle may have been the first official mountain guide on Ben Nevis, where she guided clients up Tower Ridge. This innovative thinking allowed many less experienced and less confident climbers and outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy guided access to spectacular walking and climbing routes in the area.

However Myrtle had her sights set on higher mountains and travelled to New Zealand where, at that time there were very few climbers in the country.  She managed to find many virgin peaks; along with major expeditions to the higher peaks such as Mt. Aspiring, a massive challenge that involved a three week walk in before any climbing could begin.

As soon as she moved back to Edinburgh she began planning an expedition to Peru.  Funds from the Mount Everest Trust allowed herself and Billy Wallace to sail out to Lima where they met with Hugh Simpson. Together they climbed six new peaks, each over 19,000ft and were the first British climbers to reach the summit of the 22,000ft Huascaran via a new route.

Following this expedition Myrtle travelled home and was married to Hugh in 1959.  Together, they began preparing for a six month spell in Spitbergen in the Arctic for Hugh to carry out research. However during this time Myrtle found out she was pregnant and, admitting to being “too selfish to stay behind”, they went as a family with a six week old baby.

Myrtle was also the first woman to ski across Greenland and had numerous journeys to arctic regions on ski or canoe. She also attempted to ski to the North Pole, and reached the most northerly point by a woman unsupported at the time.  She can also add explorations of China and further expeditions to Peru to her many adventures.

Myrtle now tends to canoe more as she cannot carry vast loads and still ski’s and competes on the Scottish Masters circuit.

The full programme for The 2013 Fort William Mountain Festival, presented by the Outdoor Capital of the UK, has been announced.  It has an impressive and diverse line up of inspirational speakers made up of top climbers, mountaineers and extreme sports men and women, together with adventure film screenings and mountain workshops. This year’s festival will be staged in and around the bustling Highland town of Fort William, in the heart of Lochaber, The Outdoor Capital of the UK,  from Thursday 21 to Sunday 24February 2013.

Mike Pescod, Chairman of the Highland Mountain Culture Association, organisers of the Festival, said: “The 2013 Fort William Mountain Festival is one of the most popular events in Scotland’s outdoor adventure calendar and everyone attending will be inspired, energized and entertained.

This year’s programme celebrates mountain culture in all its forms and promotes the mountains as an attractive, accessible and above all enjoyable place to be.  It includes a superb line up of top climbers and explorers, mountain films, inspirational speakers and skills workshops. It caters for a wide spectrum of enthusiasts from armchair adventurers to climbers and mountaineers to mountain bikers and budding wildlife photographers.”

The Fort William Mountain Festival programme includes:

Festival Launch Night – Wednesday 20/02/13 – The festival kicks off in action packed style at Nevis Range Mountain Experience, near Fort William.   The evening will begin with a torchlight descent spectacular as a range of local outdoor athletes on skis, bike and foot weave their way down Aonach Mhor.  This will be followed by a locally sourced and inspired four course meal, a preview screening of the festival competition films and live musical entertainment.

Bike Night – Thursday 21/02/13 – Kicking off the festival in style will be a full-on evening of mountain bike film action in the company of Chipps Chippendale (Singletrack Magazine), Rob Warner (Former pro dowhhill rider and mountain bike commentator) and Stu Thomson (Former pro downhill rider and mountain bike film maker – MTBCut); with compere Nigel Page (Former BMX and pro downhill rider, race team manager and commentator).  They will present their favourite bike films throughout the night and conduct an interactive and light hearted Q & A session.

British Mountain Guides Night – Thursday 21/02/13 – Three members of British Mountain Guides, the most qualified and experienced professionals to lead people in the mountains, will share their passion for climbing and mountaineering.  Andy Nelson lives in Glencoe where he has climbed extensively, putting up new routes at the highest standard. He will recount his experiences of Scottish winter climbing. Tim Neill, who has climbed widely in the UK, Ireland and throughout the world, will entertain the audience with his alpine climbing adventures.  Stu McAleese is one of the best alpinists currently operating from the UK, a true all-rounder.  He will focus his talk on some of the major expedition climbs he has been involved in including the ascent of Arctic Monkeys VI A4 V+ on Baffin Island that involved 18 consecutive nights on portaledges.

Antarctic Adventures Night with Karen Darke - ’From the Paralympics to the Pole…’ and Felicity Aston – ‘Call of the White’ – Friday 22/02/13.  Karen Darke, a silver medallist in the hand-cycling Time Trial at the London 2012 Paralympic Games, has hand-cycled all over the world including Central Asia and the Himalayas, the Karakoram and the length of the Japanese archipelago.  She has co-organised sea kayaking expeditions along the coastlines of British Columbia and Alaska, a sit-skiing trip across the Greenland Icecap, climbing El Capitan and kayaking through the fjords of Patagonia. Karen will entertain the audience with stories of her adventures and the challenges of wheels in them before finishing with her plans for her next expedition to the South Pole.  In 2009 Felicity Aston lead a group of seven women from six different countries, representing six religions and seven languages, on a 900km trek from the south coast of Antarctica to the Geographic South Pole, in just 38 days. The team, many of them complete novices, had met only eight months before they set off.  Felicity will bring their incredible journey to life, not just the physical aspects but also what it took to transform these individuals into such a successful team.

Climbing Night with Andy Cave – Saturday 23/02/13. Ben Nevis has been central in the history of Scottish winter mountaineering - the site of legendary new routes, incredible characters, unfailing passion and tragedy.  As a teenager Andy Cave, one of the greatest mountaineers of his generation who explores new routes in remote mountain ranges all over the world, had his first taste of mountaineering on the Ben.  In 2013 he returns with friends to examine the importance of Scottish Winter climbing and its impact on mountaineering throughout the world.   Packed with both humour and drama this entertaining lecture is a celebration of winter climbing through the prism of Ben Nevis; together with some freshly shot video of The Ben by award winning film maker Paul Diffley.  The 6^th recipient of the Scottish Award for Excellence in Mountain Culture will also be formally announced.

The Best of Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour Film Night – Sunday 24/02/13 – Always a sell-out, this is your chance to see the best in award winning mountain films from around the world - extreme expeditions and challenges, remote cultures and the world’s last great wild places.  Don’t miss it!  

Winter Skills Workshops - There will also be plenty of opportunity for both novices and experts to hone their mountain skills through a series of workshops in avalanche awareness, winter walking and winter climbing with Abacus Mountaineering.  There is a one off Climbing Technique Master Class with local climber Dave MacLeod.  There will be mountain photography workshops with Nevispix and a two day outdoor emergency first aid course at the Snowgoose Mountain Centre.  Indoor climbing and ice climbing skills workshops will also be on offer at Kinlochleven’s Ice Factor Indoor Climbing Centre.  There is even a gaelic language workshop aimed at climbers, mountaineers and hillwalkers at theWest Highland College, UHI, entitled ‘Understanding our mountains through the Gaelic language’.

Mike Pescod added: “This celebration of mountain culture, showcasing the huge range of outdoor activity opportunities available to visitors to Fort William and Lochaber, one of Scotland’s  most stunning natural environments, is the vision of The Outdoor Capital of the UK, which is our presenting sponsor once again.”

To find out more about the Fort William Mountain Festival 2013 and to buy your festival tickets go to - www.mountainfestival.co.uk/

Film Competition - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Fort-William-Mountain-Festival-Film-Competition/168830326527336

The Fort William Mountain Festival wish to thank the following sponsors and supporters - Outdoor Capital of the UK, Ellis Brigham, Marine Harvest, The Nevis Landscape Partnership, Hotscot, Cotswold Outdoor, Nevis Range, Alpine Bikes, Nevis Cycles, Tiso, John Muir Trust, Allround Signs, Abacus Mountaineering, The Granite House, No Fuss Events, Bill Scott Architects, Trailab, Nevispix and Active Highs.

 You are invited to send a photographer / reporter / camera crew to a photocall at Nevis Range Mountain Experience, near Fort William, on Thursday 17 January 2013 at 11:00 for the launch of the Fort William Mountain Festival 2013, being staged from Thursday 21 to Sunday 24 February.

The Fort William Mountain Festival is one of the most popular events in Scotland’s outdoor adventure calendar.  The programme includes inspirational talks from top climbers, mountaineers and extreme sports men and women, entertaining adventure films and mountain skills workshops.  It showcases the huge range of outdoor activity opportunities available to visitors to Fort William and Lochaber during the best winter walking and climbing conditions of the year.

 WHAT:

The rest of the country maybe grinding to a halt as a result of the snow and sub-zero temperatures but locals and visitors to Fort William and Lochaber – the Outdoor Capital of the UK – are embracing it with open arms.

In freezing temperatures on the snow covered slopes of Aonach Mhor, the eighth highest mountain in the UK, a local outdoor fanatic will be taking time out from all the winter sports action by bathing in a tin bath on the slopes of Nevis Range, as an open fire burns under it to keep the water at an ambient temperature.  This has to be the most perfect natural environment in which adrenaline hungry adventurers can relax.  He will be surrounded by climbing gear and other outdoor sports kit.

As he relaxes admiring the stunning views across Lochaber a snowboarder will be flying over the top of him and showing off their aerial skills as they get some big air; all set against the stunning backdrop of Ben Nevis.

The Hebridean Challenge or ‘The Heb’, as it is affectionately known, is an expedition style multi-discipline, multi-day adventure race through the most spectacular, wild and remote landscape the UK has to offer - the Outer Hebridean island chain off the west coast of Scotland. Though the course is yet to be finalised organisers are looking to include Harris, North Uist, Benbecula, South Uist, Eriskay and Vatersay on the route.

From a secret start location on 05 September 2013 to the finish on the Island of Barra, three days later, teams of three or solo athletes will be expected to navigate their way to various checkpoints along  a 420km (approx) route with mountain biking, off-road running, open water swimming and kayaking sections along the way.  Navigation and logistics, route choice, teamwork, strategy, endurance and the weather will all be key to success. There will be plenty of surprises and additional challenges thrown into the mix and athletes will definitely need to be ready for anything.

Adventure racers will be racing for long days but, to make it more achievable for all, they will stop each night within one of the island communities (typically at a village hall or school). Organisers will provide a meal, water and a place to pitch a tent for a good night’s sleep before racing resumes the following morning.  Post-race there will be a ‘Heb’ Party laid on in Castlebay on the Isle of Barra where competitors and everyone involved in the event will have the chance to celebrate their achievements together.

Paul McGreal from Durty Events, organisers of the all new Hebridean Challenge said: “The new Heb will be easy to take part in, but still a tough challenge - less logistical fuss, less cost, less hassle and less time than in its previous guises; but definitely packed full of all the adventure, excitement and fun that the event is renowned for.

“We want everyone to have a great time, finish at a reasonable point each evening, and bite off as much as they can chew (and hopefully a little bit more).  We have therefore designed the all new Heb in such a way that it will be perfect for hardened adventure racers, works and office teams and fit and active people wanting to give adventure racing a go for the first time in the most stunning locations in Scotland.”

Paul McGreal will be joined in the organisation of the all new Hebridean Challenge by Gary Tompsett as course planner. Since 2001 Gary has been involved in the conceptualisation, ground planning and race directorship of every major adventure race to be staged in Scotland.  These events include The Hebridean Challenge 2001, Red Bull Northern Exposure 2002, Adrenalin Rush 2003 and 2004, Wilderness ARC 2005 and 2006, Wilderness ARC 2007 - The Adventure Racing World Championships and The Adidas Terrex 2012.  Gary is well known for audacious and flamboyant adventure planning, sometimes quirky, often challenging, always entertaining.

Entries are now open for The Heb by Durty Events. Entry Fees for 2013 cost from £890 for teams of three and from £330 for solos with an early bird discount.  For further information on entering the all new Hebridean Challenge and what the entry fee includes go to: http://www.theheb.org/entry.html.

For further information on the The Heb by Durty Events - go to: http://www.theheb.org

A brief history - Copy courtesy of Sleepmonsters,com - http://www.sleepmonsters.com/news.php?article_id=4785

The first multi-sport adventure style race to take place in the Outer Hebrides was The Western Isles Challenge (WIC) in 1994.  It took racers through the whole length of the island chain. It took racers across barren mountain landscapes, vast bogs, endless beaches, deep sea lochs and perilous sea crossings between the islands. It was a totally new (and never repeated) concept, an adventure free-for-all, with competitors taking wildly different routes and tactics.

In later WIC events the format was changed and some of the world’s best multisport competitors took part.

In 2000 the Western Isles Challenge was superseded by The Hebridean Challenge and became a favourite race of many UK competitors.  A series of different planners and organisers have tried to keep the concept of racing the length the islands going.  However the idea of a multisport race in the Outer Hebrides has endured and has now been taken up by Durty Events (http://www.durtyevents.com/). The Heb, the all new Hebridean Challenge, will take place in September 2013.

Caledonian MacBrayne - www.calmac.co.uk

Durty Events would like to thank Caledonian MacBrayne for their huge logistics support, in the transport of both people and equipment between Oban and all of the islands during the Hebridean Challenge 2013.

The three events, that feature mountain biking and trail running, will be staged in December (02), January (27) and February (24), each course progressively longer and more challenging than the other; and entries are open now to solo competitors and teams of two.

The Bowhill Winter Duathlon Series is in its 11th year and always attracts an enthusiastic band of competitors keen to take part in one of the fastest growing mass participation multi-sports in the UK.  The only difference from a Triathlon is that a Duathlon does not include the Durty Events’ special of a swim in chilly open water; that delight is saved for later in the 2013 Durty calendar of events.

Organisers, Durty Events, are keen to stress that all three Duathlon events are open to anyone from novices just wanting to have a go at an achievable challenge while keeping fit to elite athletes looking for some winter training in a fun and relaxed environment.

Rory Downie, the current Scottish and European Under 23 Cross Triathlon Champion, who has signed up for the Bowhill Winter Duathlon Series, said: “The Bowhill Duathlon Series is sure to be a cracker. I’ve been to loads of Durty Events and never been let down! The Winter Duathlons are perfect winter training in a friendly laid back environment and a great introduction to off-road racing; it’s how I started.”

For the first Duathlon in the series, this Sunday (2 December), the 150 competitors will complete a mountain bike ride on mainly blue graded trails followed by a trail run. The elite athletes are expected to finish in 40 minutes (20 minutes for each discipline), with the slower competitors averaging 60 to 70 minutes.

Entries are still open for Sunday’s event and are priced from £12 for solo competitors. For a team of two, one biking, one running, the price is £20 and £27.

Paul McGreal from Durty Events said: “This is the first time we’ve used Bowhill for our Winter Duathlon Series and we can promise all those taking part an achievable challenge on some terrific forest track.  It’s going to be an adventurous but achievable and fun day out for all of our 150 athletes.”

The first Bowhill Duathlon Event will be held on Sunday 2 December 2012 with the others following on Sunday 27 January and Sunday 24 February 2013.

For more information on Durty Events, The Bowhill Duathlon Series and entry details go to – http://www.durtyevents.com

Earlier this month the CELTMAN! Extreme Scottish Triathlon, held at Shieldaig in Wester Ross and organised by the Durty Events team was judged the Best Event of 2012 at the coveted Annual British Triathlon (Federation) Awards, ‘the Oscars of Triathlon’.

CELTMAN! is an iron-like race with a twist - 3.8km Sea Loch Swim, 202km Road Bike round Wester Ross, and finally a 42km Run that is mostly off-road and takes in two Munro mountain tops.