Innerleithen Apartments Cater To Mountain Bikers

Shortly after my write-up about the new Dirt School DVD produced by Scottish national downhiller Chris Ball I received an email from Alan Napier.

Alan Napier who turns 60 this year and his wife and partner Sheila both moved to Innerleithen just over 5 years ago. They had been involved in a taxi business in Edinburgh, sold the business and took a form of retirement.

When they first moved to Innerleithen they enjoyed the joys of retirement spent on long walks with their dogs. However, after six months decided they had to do something. Sheila got a job in Peebles managing a retail store on Saturdays while Alan did some extensive upgrading on property they purchased in Innerleithen.

After the work was done on the property they decided to rent out the flats and did so successfully for several years until last year. They were about to lose both of their tenants at the same time and decided that holiday lets could be more fun and provide some excitement during retirement.

So with the not inconsiderable help from their son Allan, the proprietor of an IT support and consultancy company they created MountainBikeApartments.com

Innerleithen is home to some of the best downhill mountain bike courses and races in the United Kingdom.  The Apartments have been specifically altered to suit mountain bikers.  The carpets have been replaced with either polished wood flooring, vinyl or tiles, all designed to make the bikers feel comfortable when coming back from their exertions.  Fully fitted modern kitchens make self catering easy as do the dining areas.  The lounges have comfy seating with flat screen digital TVs and DVD players available,

All of the beds are new and are either bunk or single divans.  When people arrive Alan and Sheila go out of their way to make them feel welcome with not only ensuring there is milk in the fridge to go with the tea, coffee and sugar provided as with the fruit bowl that Sheila makes sure is filled fresh as is all linen and bedding.

Checkout (when possible) is late in the day providing riders another day’s worth of biking and the ability to shower and have a cuppa before heading back home.  This is something that is always appreciated by the bikers and as long as they do not have someone arriving that day they are happy to oblige.

In the beginning Alan and Sheila were advised that this venture was risky…the bikers would be muddy, loud and bothersome late at night and generally be the cause of many headaches.  They have been doing this now since late September 08 and have had visitors from all over England, Aberdeen, the Isle of Mull.  They have had individual couples, large parties, families, clubs and on each and every occasion have been treated with the greatest of respect.  The Apartments have been left in the best of conditions and NO complaints from neighbors.  In short, all of the bikers have been a credit to themselves and their sport.

Alan and Sheila are thoroughly enjoying the new experience and this year they are looking forward to creating a new barbecue area for their guests.  The barbecue area will be ready before end of March and will be in the large garden where the secure storage shed and bike wash are presently located.

Related Posts

Random Posts

• January 29, 2009 -- A Jacket for All Occasions
• October 3, 2008 -- Notes From the Field: On Location in Vermont
• January 16, 2009 -- Proper Disc Brake Wear-In
• October 13, 2008 -- Buyer’s Guide to Used Mountain Bikes
• January 11, 2009 -- Combo Lifts: Squeezing More Results into Less Time
• February 11, 2009 -- Polar RS800CX BIKE in for Review
• November 4, 2008 -- Scott Hodge – Addictive Cycles – Support The Cause
• September 21, 2008 -- Hardtail VS. Full-Suspension: Which is Right for You?
• July 30, 2008 -- The Best Tools For the Trail
• November 3, 2008 -- Waterbury, Vermont & the SMBC