ONE of Scotland’s major mountain bike events will score a first this weekend when it gets a digital boost with “TV White Space” technology.
Scottish Enterprise has partnered with the Mountain Bike Centre of Scotland and Microsoft to equip Glentress Forest with cutting edge the technology that will allow live coverage of the event.
The Enduro event at the Tweedlove Bike Festival attracts 600 riders from around the world.
Moira Forsyth, from Scottish Enterprise, said: “TV White Space technology has the potential to provide a major boost for Scottish tourism.
“Like many rural tourism businesses the majority of mountain biking locations have no or very poor connectivity – whether mobile or internet access.
“This lack of connectivity to stream live events also significantly limits the international viewing opportunities when Scotland hosts global events such as the Enduro World Series, which bring significant income into rural locations.”
Danny Cowe, from The Mountain Bike Centre of Scotland, said: “We’re acutely aware that the visitor experience can be negatively impacted by poor connectivity – shutting down their ability to share their experience on social platforms.
“Beyond this they cannot use smart phones or other mobile devices in order to view or look and book with local businesses – for example local restaurants.
“We can see how this clever new technology could hugely improve both the spectator experience and improve their time at centres such as Glentress.”
