Local: West Highland Wheelers Club

Since the start of Fort William UCI Downhill events in at 2002, the Cross Country and Downhill Champs in 2007 and more recently again the Downhill Championship in 2023. Theres been one Cycling club, working away, in the shadows of Ben Nevis honeing the champions of tomorrow. The West Highland Wheelers was formed in the very early 90s by Davie Austin, to encourage all Cyclists to reach their best. We can say for sure, thats been achived.

How a regular Saturday morning looks for the Wheelers Kids Club at Nevis Range

We all know that Fort Willaim is known for its large scale Mountain Bike events, the World Cups and World Champs, bringing the most talented riders from all over the globe, battleing to claim the biggest prizes the sport has to offer. Many top level cycling athletes have sharpened their teeth within the wheelers as members, producing top level in Road, Downhill, Cross Country and Enduro results across the world. Receiving National and World Titles. So how has so many, achived such quality, from one club?

Its simple, Dedication!

Wether its the riders themselves, or the committed team within the club, they all play pivotal roles in the wider community. The young ones have someone to chase, all whilst being supported by a club who all add to this sence on community or put more simply, Family.

Multiple Masters World Champion Alastair Maclennan leading the youths of tomorrow.

Initially Alba Mountainbike’s engagement started with the club when running coaching sessions for the Kids Club on Saturdays, a fantastic way to give back to the community and hone your coaching toolbox. This then led to coaching a team of junior members developing and improving their race craft and results in Enduro and Downhill. We feel it's important to do our best to help our local club, this is why we work closely with the team to continue to inspare and support the next genaration of champions. So when the club take a well earned break in the school holidays, we run our Kids Holiday Sessions, continueing to support the new riders into the sport.

Front rider - Nina Cameron (Scottish Champion and now World Cup racer. 3rd rider - Daniel Parfitt (curretly racing Juniour World Cups)

There is never a quiet week with the wheelers, always having some form of event running. A Wednesday night ride, Kids Club on a Saturday, Time Trials in the summer, Winter League Cross Country races, Bike and Blether or the annual Wheelers Festival. They always keep you busy.

Our personal favorite excluding the Saturday sessions has to be the infamous, Wheelers Winter League. A series of grueling Cross-Country races through the winter, trust us they are heart stoppers. In fact we usually organise an annual race at our local trails, so stay tuned to our Facebook Events

The sessions always end with the weekend ritual of coffee and cake post ride.