The power of riding for your mental and physical wellbeing is well documented and to be celebrated. Everyone experiences challenges in life. Facebook selfies and glorious Instabangers rarely tell the whole story. Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland (DMBinS), Mòr Diversity and Treeline are delighted to bring you ‘Beyond Bikes’ - exclusive premiere screenings; beautiful, honest and inspirational stories from those finding their way by bike - up, around and through life’s bumps. It aims to bring important conversations into the cinema, challenging thinking about ‘normal living’ and gives voice to the opportunities that emerge when you grab life by the handlebars. With surprise guests and epic raffle prizes, all raffle proceeds from this special event will go to The Scottish MTB Health Fund.
Whether or not you ride bikes, this celebration of Scotland, bicycles and the human spirit will soothe and excite in equal measure with a line up including:
After The Storm reveals the remarkable story of Scots Asian diversity pioneer Aneela McKenna who has tackled racism and discrimination in her own life with the help of mountain biking. It invites viewers and the cycling industry to open their hearts and minds to how racial discrimination feels and to be the best, most enriched version of themselves.
Recovery - DMBinS are breaking new ground by delivering a holistic approach to positive health outcomes through an innovative Mountain Bike Trail Therapy programme.
Graeme McLean Head of DMBinS said, “Our Trail Therapy programme is something we are exceptionally proud of. We are delighted to be able to share this short film about the journey of one of the participants who has used mountain biking as a strategy for his recovery.”
Mind over Mountains – 'Mind Over Mountains' is a short film about the mindset behind riding far and fast. Challenging the idea that speed and suffering go hand in hand, it follows Annie Lloyd Evans, Huw Oliver and friends as they ride Scotland's stunning Cairngorms Loop ITT on a perfect August day. Moving fast, light and in the moment, they show us that love for a landscape and joy for the simplicity of movement are what fuel unforgettable rides.
This film night has been made possible with funding assistance from Film Hub Scotland. To ensure that as many people as possible can be part of the film night and the conversations around the issues raised, a tiered system of ticketing will be in operation - folks will be encouraged to pay the ticket price they can afford. The event will cater for members of the deaf and hard of hearing community as a BSL interpreter will be on hand for each film.
The proceeds from the film night will be donated to the Scottish MTB Health Fund to help DMBinS fund more projects across Scotland, taking real, tangible action by providing more MTB & Mental Health (Trail Therapy) Programmes, getting more women and girls riding, delivering urban MTB initiatives, supporting more MTB disability hubs and increasing the diversity of riders on the trails.