About Drumlanrig Root Rats

The Drumlanrig Root Rats are the youth section of Drumlanrig Rik's Bike Shed cycling club.   We are based at Drumlanrig Castle near Thornhill to the north of Dumfries and our aim is to to promote the amateur sport of biking in Mid and Upper Nithsdale and community participation in the same area.  The Root Rats name comes from the exposed tree roots that are the trademark feature of the Drumlanrig mountain biking trails. These roots can require skill and attention to be ridden and are part of what makes mountain biking at Drumlanrig so much fun.  Don't worry though, because if you are new to mountain biking, this is just one aspect of what we have to offer and there are plenty of skilled coaches and leaders in the club who can help you develop your bike handling skills.
  
At present, we run coaching sessions and rides on Monday evenings for riders split into groups depending on age and ability.  Attending our coaching sessions will enable you to participate in cycling in a safe environment under the supervision of our coaches, leaders and helpers.  Root Rats club members benefit from the experience of British Cycling qualified coaches and Scottish Mountain Bike Association qualified Trail Cycle and Mountain Bike leaders and our present coaching team consists of

Andrew Taylor (Level 2 Coach)
Rik Allsop  (SMBLA Mountain Bike Leader and Trainee Level 2 Coach)
Ewan Clark (SMBLA Trail Cycle Leader and Trainee Level 2 Coach)
Graeme Scott (SMBLA Mountain Bike Leader)
Richard Riley (SMBLA Trail Cycle Leader)

We have a number of other volunteers in the process of training to become Trail Cycle Leaders and are always on the lookout to expand our coaching team.  We also receive a high level of guidance and support through our Scottish Cycling Regional Development Coach, Alan Denman.


As well as the coaching team. our committee includes


Richard Cantillon (Chairman)
Guy Willoughby (Welfare Officer)
Michelle Clark (Treasurer)
Quentin Palmer (Duty of Care Documentation)
Richard Riley (Drumlanrig Rep)
Jack Taylor (Youth Rep)
Simon Philips
Graeme McQuarrie-Parkes