Two Edinburgh-based companies will headline a new conference that aims to bring together industry experts and academics from the worlds of food, nutrition and sports science.

Active Root and Tony Fullerton of Stoats will speak at the Cycling & Sports – Opportunities in Food and Drink conference, which is to be held in Dundee on 22 August.

A collaboration between the Mountain Bike Centre of Scotland and hosts Abertay University, the event will be attended by Scottish food and drink producers, members of the business support industry and academic staff.

Aimed at stimulating the exchange of ideas, analysing trends and sharing expertise, the purpose of the conference is to build partnerships across the sectors.

Active Root, a new natural ginger based sports drink company from Edinburgh, will provide an insight into their product, which was borne out of co-founder Will Townsend’s experience during the London Marathon.

Tony Fullerton of Stoats will also give a presentation, speaking about his firm’s range of quick and easy snacks and cereals – from porridge sachets, pots, bars and boxes to oatcakes and mueslis.

Some of the businesses signed up to attend are already making cycling and sports produce, while others are considering diversifying.

Networking and speed pitching sessions will take place in addition to a series of talks and one to one sessions.

Organiser Danny Cowe of the Mountain Bike Centre of Scotland, who will present a talk on opportunities in the cycling industry, said there is a real chance for Scottish businesses to tap into a global market for sports and nutrition worth over $20billion.

He added: “Cycling and sports products command high price points compared to general food stuffs and this event is an opportunity to look at how food and drink businesses can best reach that market.

“There is a major buzz around sports nutrition and health at the moment, so producing new or enhanced products can only benefit both industry and those participating in sport.”

The Mountain Bike Centre of Scotland is a joint initiative headed by Edinburgh Napier University and Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland, with project partner Scottish Enterprise. The project is funded by the Scottish Funding Council and Edinburgh Napier University.

From market research to product development; knowledge transfer, testing and product launches, we are here to help Scottish businesses in capitalising in one of the country’s fastest growing sports and to help bring Scottish mountain biking products and services to an international audience.

To find out how the Mountain Bike Centre of Scotland can assist a business, please visit www.napier.ac.uk/mtb

Tackling the high points of the Cairngorms in a route that links some of Scotland’s high ski resorts with icons like the Forth Bridge, this year’s Colliers Cycle Ride promises to be as spectacular as it is challenging.

Dozens of cyclists from the commercial property firm’s offices across the UK joined their colleagues at Colliers International’s teams in Scotland at the start line in Edinburgh this morning, in a bid to complete the gruelling tour and raise thousands of pounds for charity.

The peloton will cross the Forth Bridge and proceed to the River Tay, up to Pitlochry and then into the Cairngorms, following a route that takes in the ski resorts of Aviemore, Lecht and Glenshee.

The Scottish contingent includes veteran riders such as Richard Whitfield, who has already completed five Colliers cycle rides, and first-timers Hannah Murray and Howard Ounsley.

The full Scottish team is:

Ryan Jarvis (2 Colliers Rides to date)
Richard Whitfield (5 Colliers Rides to date)
Jonathan McConnell (3 Colliers Rides to date)
Ian Boxall (2 Colliers Rides to date)
Louise Daly (3 Colliers Rides to date)
Hannah Murray (0 Rides to Date)
Howard Ounsley (0 Rides to Date)

Queen Margaret University (QMU), Edinburgh, has become a Cycle Friendly Campus, gaining the Cycle Friendly Award, with distinction, from Cycling Scotland.

Staff and students at QMU are celebrating receiving the top Cycle Friendly Campus Award, with distinction from Cycling Scotland in recognition of their commitment to getting more staff and students cycling.

The award, which is delivered with funding from Transport Scotland, recognises the efforts of Scotland’s colleges and universities that promote cycling as an accessible and convenient travel choice, was presented to Tom Kemsley, Sustainability Support Officer at QMU, by Cycling Scotland’s Paul Wright, in recognition of the outstanding level of commitment the University has shown to encourage cycling to, from and around it’s Musselburgh campus.

The University implemented a range of measures including reinvesting income from campus parking charges to support active travel. Other measures include secure cycle parking, cycle maintenance areas, changing facilities, term-time bike hire, cycle training and led cycle rides. The current rate of cycling is 8%.

Commenting on the Cycle Friendly Campus Award for QMU, Tom Kemsley, Sustainability Support Officer, said: “We’re really proud to have been recognised for this award, with distinction, by Cycling Scotland for our ongoing commitment to encouraging more and more staff and students to cycle to, from and around the QMU campus.

“We’ve made great progress continuing to expand the bike hire scheme at QMU over the past year and engaging with the cycling community through regular campus events, as well as via our dedicated Cycle Connections social media channels on Facebook and Twitter. Our long-standing cycling community at QMU have also made a big contribution to helping us recruit new members and creating a self-sufficient cycling community on campus.

“Located on the National Cycle Route, travelling by bike is an easy way to travel to QMU, whilst keeping fit at the same time. The University regularly arranges ‘Dr Bike’ mobile mechanic sessions to service bikes cycled in on the day, including minor on the spot repairs minor and a bike MOT, which are proving very popular amongst students and staff.”

The Cycle Friendly Campus Award is run by Cycling Scotland with funding from Transport Scotland and recognises exemplar projects from Scotland’s college and university campuses where cycling is a real and accessible part of campus life. Campuses can register to become a Cycle Friendly Campus online at www.cycling.scot

Cycling Scotland are welcoming applications to their Cycle Friendly Employer Development Fund 2017/18.

The fund is aimed at encouraging and supporting organisations and workplaces across Scotland to take a leading role in increasing the number of journeys by bike.

Employers can apply for up to £20,000 for capital projects which are focused on improving cycling facilities and physical infrastructure – such as cycle parking, signage, changing facilities. Match funding not a strict condition.

The fund is open to businesses and organisations who are working towards or are seeking to maintain the Cycle Friendly Employer Award. You can register for the award here and your local service centre will be in touch to arrange an assessment.

The closing date for applications is 5pm Friday the 30th of June 2017.
Download: Guidance Notes, Funding Process, Application Form and Terms and Conditions.

If you have any questions please email Cycling Scotland Development Officer, Caroline Hammond on carolinehammond@cycling.scot or call 0141 229 5470