Home   News   Article

Inverness Royal Academy’s new mountain bike skills loop opens – and Jenny Graham says it’s perfect for PE





World record endurance cyclist Jenny Graham says the new mountain bike trail unveiled at Inverness Royal Academy on Saturday should be replicated in every school.

The skills loop is the brainchild of the school’s PE teacher Jane Chisholm, who has worked tirelessly on the project over the last six years.

Jenny Graham heads off on a lap around the course. Picture: John Davidson
Jenny Graham heads off on a lap around the course. Picture: John Davidson

After setting up the school’s Cycle Hub in 2018, Mrs Chisholm has led the way in widening access to cycling, encouraging under-represented groups and spreading the mental, social and emotional benefits of being outdoors.

She was excited at the reaction to the new trail, which was designed and built by Ronan Taylor, with well over 100 people heading to Culduthel to try out the course.

Talking after the official opening, she said: “I basically just wanted to get a facility that we could use to do coaching sessions, for recreational use in the evenings, just for kids to be able to enjoy themselves and be outside.

“So hopefully it provides a facility for the urban population. Mountain biking doesn’t necessarily just have to be for people who can get into the hills and get taken to trail centres at the weekend. They can get down here themselves, pedal to school, use the trail after school and we can run groups.”

The skills loop will also provide an opportunity to develop volunteers and outdoors leaders, leading to careers in the outdoor sector.

Riders test out the new mountain bike trail at Inverness Royal Academy. Picture: John Davidson
Riders test out the new mountain bike trail at Inverness Royal Academy. Picture: John Davidson

The course provides a variety of challenges for people of all abilities, and the opening day saw young children on balance bikes soaring around the bermed corners, alongside teenagers with advanced mountain biking skills making the most of the jumps.

Mrs Chisholm added: “The fantastic thing is you can have wee toots going round and learning to ride their bike on it but it can also challenge even the most able riders. The kids that are wanting to be downhill racers in the future, they can learn lots of different skills from the very start and find different ways of challenging them.”

Jenny Graham, who in 2018 became the fastest woman to cycle around the world unsupported, said the new trail was a real asset for the region.

“I just think having a facility like this in Inverness at a high school is just incredible – I’m watching kids getting air here in front of their school!” she said.

PE teacher Jane Chisholm leads the way around the first lap of the skills loop after opening the course. Picture: John Davidson
PE teacher Jane Chisholm leads the way around the first lap of the skills loop after opening the course. Picture: John Davidson

“My hope would be that every high school could have a facility like this because kids really deserve it – imagine if PE looked like this!

“There are so many different abilities here, which is exactly what you would want from something like this because it’s great to see folk that can get big air and are already doing it, but the whole point of having something like this is to normalise the sport and give people a chance to start.

“So, although there are things that look quite intimidating, if you’re just starting out, there’s also bits on this course that you can get a lot out of and build up your skills.”

Trail builder Mr Taylor, who is from the Black Isle, said working on a trail on school grounds was a first for him – and has led to something he would have loved as a kid.

“We’ve got three different themes of trails, one with banked corners, the berm trail, and then we’ve got a couple of jump lines, and they allow riders to build up skills in jumping,” he explained.

Riders test out the new mountain bike trail at Inverness Royal Academy. Picture: John Davidson
Riders test out the new mountain bike trail at Inverness Royal Academy. Picture: John Davidson

“Then we’ve got a rocky line with some drop-offs and a rock garden, as well. So, there’s a good mix of skills needed and it offers a really nice way for folk to get into biking and practice their skills before going into the hills or just riding more here.”

The bike trail at the Academy has been funded by Highland Council, SportScotland and other public fundraising efforts.

Culduthel Woods Group were also at the opening event, helping to plant trees around the edges of the course with assistance from volunteers.

Cllr John Finlayson, chairperson of the council’s education committee, said: “The Highlands is fast becoming renowned for cycling and outdoor pursuits and the development of the bike trails in Inverness is fundamental to continuing to nurture and grow biking enthusiasts and potentially many more professional riders for generations to come.

“A special thanks go to IRA teacher Jane Chisholm and all the officers involved in making the aspirations of our young people a reality. Their dedication and tenacity to build the facilities are being realised with thanks to a broad range of partners for their financial support and specialised expertise to create this new facility.

Riders test out the new mountain bike trail at Inverness Royal Academy. Picture: John Davidson
Riders test out the new mountain bike trail at Inverness Royal Academy. Picture: John Davidson

“I am sure that the new trails will offer endless hours of fun and excitement, whilst developing new skills for many people in the years to come.”

Inverness Royal Academy head teacher Gordon Piper said: “It’s great to see Mrs Chisholm’s six-year ambition come to life. The bike track has always been about widening access to cycling, encouraging under-represented groups and spreading the mental, social and emotional benefits of being outdoors and the development of an on-site facility will continue to expand what we can offer.

“We are sure our young people will be proud of their trail, will take on the responsibility for it and will develop their technical skills and leadership qualities while enhancing their emotional and social wellbeing.”

Riders test out the new mountain bike trail at Inverness Royal Academy. Picture: John Davidson
Riders test out the new mountain bike trail at Inverness Royal Academy. Picture: John Davidson
Riders test out the new mountain bike trail at Inverness Royal Academy. Picture: John Davidson
Riders test out the new mountain bike trail at Inverness Royal Academy. Picture: John Davidson
Riders test out the new mountain bike trail at Inverness Royal Academy. Picture: John Davidson
Riders test out the new mountain bike trail at Inverness Royal Academy. Picture: John Davidson
Jane Chisholm unties the ribbon to officially open the mountain bike trail. Picture: John Davidson
Jane Chisholm unties the ribbon to officially open the mountain bike trail. Picture: John Davidson
Trail builder Ronan Taylor tests out his handiwork. Picture: John Davidson
Trail builder Ronan Taylor tests out his handiwork. Picture: John Davidson
Riders test out the new mountain bike trail at Inverness Royal Academy. Picture: John Davidson
Riders test out the new mountain bike trail at Inverness Royal Academy. Picture: John Davidson
Clara and Rosie helped out the Culduthel Woods Group with tree-planting. Picture: John Davidson
Clara and Rosie helped out the Culduthel Woods Group with tree-planting. Picture: John Davidson
Children on balance bikes were keen to have a go on the course. Picture: John Davidson
Children on balance bikes were keen to have a go on the course. Picture: John Davidson
Riders test out the new mountain bike trail at Inverness Royal Academy. Picture: John Davidson
Riders test out the new mountain bike trail at Inverness Royal Academy. Picture: John Davidson
Inverness Royal Academy head teacher Gordon Piper gets stuck in helping to plant trees. Picture: John Davidson
Inverness Royal Academy head teacher Gordon Piper gets stuck in helping to plant trees. Picture: John Davidson
Riders test out the new mountain bike trail at Inverness Royal Academy. Picture: John Davidson
Riders test out the new mountain bike trail at Inverness Royal Academy. Picture: John Davidson
Riders test out the new mountain bike trail at Inverness Royal Academy. Picture: John Davidson
Riders test out the new mountain bike trail at Inverness Royal Academy. Picture: John Davidson
Riders test out the new mountain bike trail at Inverness Royal Academy. Picture: John Davidson
Riders test out the new mountain bike trail at Inverness Royal Academy. Picture: John Davidson
Riders test out the new mountain bike trail at Inverness Royal Academy. Picture: John Davidson
Riders test out the new mountain bike trail at Inverness Royal Academy. Picture: John Davidson
Trash Free Trails provided litter picking equipment to help keep the course clear of rubbish. Picture: John Davidson
Trash Free Trails provided litter picking equipment to help keep the course clear of rubbish. Picture: John Davidson
Jenny Graham talks to a group at the opening ceremony. Picture: John Davidson
Jenny Graham talks to a group at the opening ceremony. Picture: John Davidson
Riders test out the new mountain bike trail at Inverness Royal Academy. Picture: John Davidson
Riders test out the new mountain bike trail at Inverness Royal Academy. Picture: John Davidson
Jane Chisholm helps with planting trees around the course. Picture: John Davidson
Jane Chisholm helps with planting trees around the course. Picture: John Davidson
Riders test out the new mountain bike trail at Inverness Royal Academy. Picture: John Davidson
Riders test out the new mountain bike trail at Inverness Royal Academy. Picture: John Davidson
Jane Chisholm has seen her plan come to fruition after six years. Picture: John Davidson
Jane Chisholm has seen her plan come to fruition after six years. Picture: John Davidson

• Subscribe to the Inverness Courier for just £10 for the first year by using my personal discount code - JOHNDAVIDSON - at checkout. Click here for this special deal!


Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.



This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More