New 7Stanes Team

The 7stanes mountain bike project for the south of Scotland has a new team in place. The team is bigger than before and is now headed by new leader Tony Philpin, who has more than 15 years of project management experience. His job is to lead the project for the next three years. Tony started his career working on recreation trails in County Durham before moving on to the Pennine Way, where he spent 10 years co-ordinating the £6 million restoration project. He mountain bikes for fun and fitness and is a very keen mountain walker. He said: "The new team wants to build on the success of the first phase of the 7stanes and make the south of Scotland the premier mountain bike destination in Europe, with all the benefits that will bring for local economies." The project is starting a new phase with a network of family-friendly beginner trails being built at each of the centres, as well as skills loops to help newcomers gain confidence in bike handling. A social outreach programme will make contact with community and disabled groups so that everyone can have a chance of getting on a mountain bike. Tony's new team includes: Andy Hopkins: for three years Andy has been heading the 7stanes trailbuilding team in Dumfries and Galloway and was responsible for designing and building the new trails at Dalbeattie, Ae and Mabie. He will be responsible for trail design in phase 2 of the project and will develop links with schools, disadvantaged groups and volunteers in the Dumfries and Galloway region. Andy Wardman: Andy has been the biking ranger in the Tweed Valley Forest Park for more than a year. Previously he's been working on the trails at Glentress and Traquair and worked at the Hub cafe. Andy will concentrate on the social outreach programme of volunteering and building links with disadvantaged groups in the Borders. He will still be biking ranger for the Tweed Valley Forest Park. Margaret Bryden: Margaret has already been working with the project through Phase 1 and will continue to be responsible for the project's admin support. The 7stanes project is still looking for a Lead Development Co-ordinator to work under Tony and oversee trail and social outreach developments. Adverts for this post should be out soon. Tony Philpin has succeeded Karl Bartlett as project leader. Karl took the project forward in its first three years and has now taken up a new post within Forestry Commission Scotland as Cycling Development Officer. Karl's new role will be to help and support local Forestry Commission Scotland staff and partners with cycling and mountain biking across the whole Scottish national forest estate. For more information on the 7stanes project log on to www.7stanes.gov.uk.