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Tweedlove Collective

We are delighted to introduce to you, the kids with the best poker faces in the Valley…The TweedLove Collective, our epic new race team for 2019! 

The TweedLove Collective isn’t about results, it’s about the community and us supporting some of the amazing talent that is emerging here in the Tweed Valley. The team are a bunch of talented young kids who just love riding their bikes and who want to encourage their friends and younger riders to join in on the fun.  We are super proud to support the team and equally have them support us as ambassadors of TweedLove.

The team not only have the full support of us but also the guys at Hotlines who will be hooking them up with all the gear they need for the year ahead.

So… let’s put some names to faces!

Name: Sandy Mackay

Age: 11

Most exciting part of being in the TweedLove Collective? I am super stoked to make new friends on the hill and ride with the Collective.

What bike are you riding this year? Currently in deep negotiations with bank of Dad, looking at many “hotlines” for a downhill rig.

What events are you most looking forward to taking part in this year? Enjoyro, mini downhills and hopefully visit my big brother for a race in Canada.

Where is your favourite place to ride? Fort William downhill and Top of the world in whistler are hard to beat but ixs at Innerleithen is my favorite!

Do you have any other hobbies when not on 2 wheels? Rugby, football and bagpipes but not all at the same time…

What are you most proud of to date, on or off the bike? Standing on the podium at fort William on the weekend of the World Cup the year before last.

Any tips you would give someone looking to take up riding? Ride with friends and enjoy the ride!

Name: Billy Birks 

Age: 14, actually 12, but I’m trying to blag an entry into Transcenduro!

Most exciting part of being in the TweedLove Collective? Being a part of something that our friends can get involved with. 

What bike are you riding this year? Mondraker Foxy

What events are you most looking forward to taking part in this year? Enjoyro and Innerletihen mini downhill.

Where is your favourite place to ride? Inners for Winners!

Do you have any other hobbies when not on 2 wheels? Playing football for Edinburgh City FC, rugby, running and the odd triathlon.

What are you most proud of to date, on or off the bike? Winning the Innerleithen mini downhill last year.

Any tips you would give someone looking to take up riding? Ride quick!

Name: Phoebe Gale

Age: 14

Most exciting part of being in the TweedLove Collective? The most exciting part of being in Tweedlove Collective is being in a local team with so many different strengths.

What bike are you riding this year? This year I am riding a Mondraker Summum for Downhill and a Nukeproof Mega for Enduro.

What events are you most looking forward to taking part in this year? This year I am most looking forward to racing the Scottish and British Downhill  Series and both of the Tweedlove Enduros that I am racing.

Where is your favourite place to ride? My favourite place to ride would probably be Innerleithen, but its always nice to ride somewhere warm and dusty!

Do you have any other hobbies when not on 2 wheels? When I’m not on my bike I swim and play hockey and netball for my school.

What are you most proud of to date, on or off the bike? I am most proud of winning the 2018 Under 19 Scottish Downhill Championships at Fort William.

Any tips you would give someone looking to take up riding? The advice I would give someone who is looking to take up riding is to always enjoy riding your bike. 

Name: Cammy Brown 

Age: 16

Most exciting part of being in the TweedLove Collective? Good riding with great people!

What bike are you riding this year? Trek Remedy 8

What events are you most looking forward to taking part in this year? The TweedLove Triple Crown.

Where is your favourite place to ride? Lake District and Tweed Valley.

Do you have any other hobbies when not on 2 wheels? Maintaining my bike.

What are you most proud of to date, on or off the bike? My bike and photograpy, watch out Ian!

Any tips you would give someone looking to take up riding? Just enjoy it. 

Name: Ally Birks 

Age: 12 (or 14, depending on who’s reading)

Most exciting part of being in the TweedLove Collective? Being a part of TweedLove, who are the best in the business! 

What bike are you riding this year? Mondraker Foxy

What events are you most looking forward to taking part in this year? Enjoyro and Kinnoull Hill mini-downhill for the jumps.

Where is your favourite place to ride? The Golfie.

Do you have any other hobbies when not on 2 wheels? Playing football for Edinburgh City FC & cross-country running.

What are you most proud of to date, on or off the bike? Beating Billy at last years Enjoyro & being top goalscorer last season for Edinburgh City.

Any tips you would give someone looking to take up riding? Get off Fortnite and get off the brakes!

Name: David Cathcart

Age: 14

Most exciting part of being in the TweedLove Collective? Shredding all year with an epic bunch and having fun! 

What bike are you riding this year? Currently ride a Giant Trance but I’m trying to pursued my parents to get me a Nukeproof Mega as I’m getting taller every second.

What events are you most looking forward to taking part in this year? The Family Day, I enjoy seeing the next generation of shredders & I’m looking forward to taking part in the Transcend Festival a full weekend of bikes yeeeeeeeeh buddy!

Where is your favourite place to ride? Les Gets/Morzine and the local trails.

Do you have any other hobbies when not on 2 wheels? I’m into all sport Athletics, rugby,  Basketball, Skiing, you name a sport and I’ll give it a go. 

What are you most proud of to date, on or off the bike? Getting 97% in my maths test, managing to throw a javelin and not hitting anyone, filling over 2000 envelopes for the Tour o the borders registration packs. Always very proud when I perform well at any sport.

Any tips you would give someone looking to take up riding? Remember chamois butter is not edible…

Name: Thomas Richardson 

Age: 15

Most exciting part of being in the TweedLove Collective? The chance to develop my riding and get more people stoked on bikes with the support of such a great organisation.

What bike are you riding this year? Trek Slash

What events are you most looking forward to taking part in this year? The Triple Crown enduros and the Glentress Seven. Also looking forward to going down south to race the Ard-Moors Enduro. 

Where is your favourite place to ride? That’s a tough one. Either the Golfie or Inners would take the top spot for me.

Do you have any other hobbies when not on 2 wheels? I have started to run and walk a lot more this off-season, it’s getting outside and enjoying Tweed Valley without the faff of getting out on the bike at this time of year (my dogs love it too).

What are you most proud of to date, on or off the bike? Probably progressing my skills and gaining confidence on some of the harder trails and features in the valley.

Any tips you would give someone looking to take up riding? Just enjoy it and don’t be afraid of the challenges of improving your skills and confidence.

So there you have it, our very own magnificent seven! We are so excited for the year ahead, watching these guys do what they do out on the trails and just having an epic time.

Keep your eye on the blog to see how the guys are getting on and where you can catch them next.

Also a massive shout out to local legend Ian Linton for his support of the Collective and getting these fantastic shots.

Tweedlove Instagram