You’d be forgiven for thinking the Tontine Hotel in Peebles, a 200-year old, ex-coaching inn, may not easily cater to mountain biking/adventure tourists. But Kate Innes, along with her husband and daughter, worked hard to make it happen.
“Mountain bikers are fantastic guests. They tend to stay in groups and are undemanding. If they have secure bike storage, a comfortable bed and some good food (often in sizeable portions), they tend to leave happy. However, we still do our utmost to ensure their stay is memorable.”
The secure bike storage element was crucial to the hotel in accommodating this growing market. They used a grant from Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland (DMBinS) to complete the necessary work and make it a reality.
“With our grant from DMBinS, we were able to build gates within our garage, supplying the required bike storage for our guests. With individual locks and CCTV, we’re proud to say we have super secure bike storage.”
“With our grant from DMBinS, we were able to build gates within our garage, supplying the required bike storage for our guests.”
And once the bikes are safely locked away for the night, it’s time for riders to relax and unwind.
“We provide them with great food, beers, wines and cocktails. Then, after a good night’s sleep, we serve up hearty breakfasts, and it helps to offer these early for those who want to get out on the trails as soon as possible.”
Tweed Valley is a key destination for mountain biking and a hotspot for events like the Enduro World Series and TweedLove. And Kate knows how important it is to capitalise on these popular events.
“Being a part of the GoTweed Valley consortium means we’ve been introduced to the event providers who host these fantastic events each year. By maintaining regular contact with them, we can plan for the arrival of event visitors.
"This can be as simple as providing early breakfasts or preparing for any special dietary requirements in advance so that riders can get out to the events and make the most of their day.
"The consortium has been a brilliant resource for us as it has also introduced us to cycling-related businesses located in and around Peebles. We can collaborate with businesses and organisations like Bespoke Cycles, Adrenaline Uplift, Dirt School and Ridelines to provide a first-class welcome for our mountain biking guests.”
Find out more - tontinehotel.com
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