Farm transforms for family bike and outdoor festival

Mountain bikers and lovers of family fun in the great outdoors are in for a real treat at the end of August as The Eliminator MTB Weekender returns.

Supported by EventScotland, part of VisitScotland’s Events Directorate, it will be back at Parkhill Farm, Newburgh, Fife from Friday 31 August to Sunday 2 September.

The everyday barley fields and rolling hills of Parkhill Farm will once again be transformed into the magnificent venue for one of Scotland’s most fun-packed, family-friendly festivals, with an action packed activity programme for all ages, both on and off the bike.

Organisers, Muckmedden Events, are promising the greatest edition of the event yet.

At the heart of this amazing weekend is the now legendary and wacky Eliminator Head2Head downhill race on Sunday (with practice and qualifying on Saturday) that pitches cross country whippets against mountain bike enduro specialists, downhillers and weekend warriors on three challenging but smile enducing sections that are suitable for any bike.

For those who either do not qualify for the Head2Head or are eliminated from the early rounds, there is the new Barley Dual Slalom, a thrilling first past the post dual racing elimination tournament through a field of fully-grown Barley.

To kick off the festival in style The Cross Country Eliminator, Scotland’s only cross country mountain bike eliminator tournament, fast and furious racing where four riders battle it out against each other to avoid elimination, makes a welcome return on Friday evening.

The Muckathlon, an achievable and fun focused 30km off-road Duathlon (5km run, 20km Bike, 5km run – approx) for solos and pairs, with its stunning bike route that takes in some of the Fife Coastal Path, also returns for a second outing on Saturday. There is also The Mini-Muckathlon, a mini off-Road Duathlon for children aged 6 – 13, on Sunday.

For all wee Muckers – under six – who are keen to join in, there will be a series of pedal and balance bike races around a simple course within the event village on Sunday.

As with its sister festival, Cream o’ the Croft, recently staged at Comrie Croft Trail Centre, The Eliminator is not only a festival of mountain bike racing for all ages, it is also a music festival with fun activities, camping and glamping; and a gourmet, locally sourced food and drink festival, all crammed into one unbelievable entertainment weekend.

The attractions that will keep everyone entertained on Friday, Saturday and Sunday include a fantastic line up of live music (local Fife duo The Coaltown Daisies will headline on Saturday night), live DJ sets, climbing wall, pumptrack, yoga sessions, silent disco, Funky Mountain obstacle course, a round of the Scottish Bike Trial Championships, a farmers market, face-painting, mega water slide, karaoke, storytelling and craft and circus workshops. All non-race activities are included in the price of a festival pass or race entry.

Aaron Gray from Muckmedden Events, organisers of The Eliminator MTB Festival, said:’One of the things that makes The Eliminator so special compared to our other events is that Parkhill Farm is an ordinary working farm, with perimeter fences and livestock roaming the fields. There are no permanent bike trails or buildings on site, so we have a blank canvas to work on and can mix things up each year to keep it fresh, which is really exciting as an event organiser.

‘It’s almost time for Roger at Parkhill Farm to send the cows off on their holidays again to allow us to transform the hills and fields into Scotland’s most stunning Mountain Bike Festival venue. I can’t wait to show everyone what we have in store for this year’s event!

‘Thanks to continued support from Fife Council and Event Scotland this year, we have added even more exciting activities to this year’s line-up and have even extended the event into the Sunday to fit it all in! It should be an unbelievable weekend, particularly if this amazing weather keeps up.’

To boost the appeal of the event village Muckmedden are also looking for young entrepreneurs who have made, designed or invented a new and exciting product or service (not food or drink) and who are eager to test the market with a free retail pitch, selling alongside more established independent professional traders. Young singers, musicians, bands, DJ’s and other performers are also being invited to fill various slots on the live stage, showcasing their talents to more than 1500 people over the event weekend.

For further information and to get involved, e-mail Rachel at info@muckmedden.co.uk as soon as possible (deadline for applications Wednesday 01 August).

Roger and Rachel Howison from Parkhill Farm, the venue for The Eliminator, said: ‘This summer, in celebration of the Year of Young People, we’re giving our fields at Parkhill Farm over to the kids, passing them the mics, the wrenches and the trade stalls and we can’t wait to see what hard work, talent and a little youthful energy can create!’

For more information about The Eliminator Mountain Bike Festival and to purchase festival passes and race entries click HERE.