On the Fast Trax to Success

"Mountain bikers can fly into Aberdeen airport, jump straight on a bike, and head directly to Kirkhill Forest to take on a technically challenging course, with an exciting selection of jumps, doubles and tabletops," enthuses Andrew Thompson, Director of Aberdeen and Aboyne based Mountainbiketrax. "Such is the convenience of Aberdeen airport, and the increasing availability of cheap flights, that they can even return to their own bed that evening for a well-earned sleep."

Andrew, who is also a Territorial Army Major, feels that this is the secret weapon in the arsenal of his business, a specialist company providing mountain biking services including training, qualifications, holidays and adventures to a range of clients. "People will travel two, three, maybe four hours to ride; and taking Aberdeen Airport into account, almost the whole of the UK can be reached in this time. For many British mountain bikers it can be easier to get to Aberdeen than it is to get to the Lake District or the 'Seven Stanes' in the Scottish Borders."

The airport is far from being Mountainbiketrax's only selling-point though, Andrew explains: "Deeside may have been regarded as the poor cousin to Aviemore once-upon-a-time, but the fact is that it is home to some world-class trails and routes. We also have a fantastic team here; they all have extensive experience of the outdoors and specifically mountain biking, and are HSE approved first-aiders. Importantly the entire team is Scottish Mountain Bike Leader Award qualified, which is recognised as a model of excellence in the UK."

Mountainbiketrax was formed by Andrew and fellow enthusiast Stuart Henderson in September 2005, and enjoyed a successful first season last year. By Andrew's own admission, setting the business up was a gamble: "We were really testing the water to begin with; so it came as a pleasant surprise to find that we could make money straight away doing something that we were passionate about."

There may be a hint of modesty on Andrew's part here – he has a good working knowledge of business, thanks to a previous career path as managing director of an environmental consultancy. With his military background he also brings to the job many years of outdoor leadership experience in what can be arduous and challenging conditions. Finally, he had the nous to seek the help of the Business Gateway service, delivered by Enterprise North East Trust (ENET).

"Although I had an understanding of business, the prospect of setting up and running Mountainbiketrax was quite different to anything I had been involved with in the past. Initially I feared that I may not be eligible for help from Business Gateway because of my former job, but my fears were unfounded and they have been extremely helpful.

"The service offered by Business Gateway has been great; there are a variety of courses available, and I was assigned an extremely knowledgeable advisor, Karen. Thanks to Karen, Mountainbiketrax can be proud of its web-presence. Before I met with her I had a very good website in place; but she offered me a number of pointers on how I could improve it, and I am now very happy to say that Mountainbiketrax has an excellent website.

"I have found that one of the most useful things to come of my experience with Business Gateway has been the networking opportunities that have arisen by the simple act of Karen adding me to her contact list."

Despite all the planning in the world, there is always a potential stumbling block for any outdoor enterprise in the north east - the unpredictability of Mother Nature. With his military background, though, Andrew is made of much too stern stuff to let the weather hinder him, something he seems to have in common with his clients. "I would have expected that our season would run from the end of March to the end of October. However, with such mild weather last year, we were taking groups out until December. As far as I am concerned though, as long as there is not six feet of snow, I'm happy to take a group. We also have a number of corporate clients who we cater for all year round." In fact, some of these clients are all-too-familiar to Andrew, he jokes: "In February this year I spent two weeks in Wales training soldiers – it seems I can't get away from the military."

Mountainbiketrax is a specialist company providing mountain bike services delivered with passion for the discerning mountain biker. From a Royal Deeside base Mountainbiketrax runs several high-calibre packages aimed at visitors and local mountain bikers alike. More information can be found at www.mountainbiketrax.co.uk or by calling 01224 279900.

The Business Gateway service in Grampian is delivered by Enterprise North East Trust. For more information telephone 01224 289725 or visit www.bgateway.com.

ENDS

Picture caption: Andrew Thompson of Mountainbiketrax is making tracks with his new business.

For further information, contact:

John McIntosh
Tricker PR
Office 01224 646491
Mobile 07780 680751
Email jmcintosh@trickerpr.com