A YOUTHFUL mountain bike club has won a major award.

KICC was named as the Best Mountain Bike Club In Scotland at the annual Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland awards ceremony.

And members of the club didn't have far to go to collect their trophy as Thursday's ceremony was held in Innerleithen's Memorial Hall.

KICC initially met bi-monthly at the local primary school when it was first set up around a decade ago, but demand quickly grew and the sessions were moved to Glentress.

The club, which now has a membership of 90 junior riders and 22 adult helpers, hosts events and races aimed at encouraging young people into the outdoors.

The club membership is an even balance of male and female riders and this mix is echoed in the strong leadership offered by the clubs female leaders and coaches.

Chris Bryant, co-founder and chair of KICC, told us: "KICC has assisted many young riders who are now racing at a national or European level but they still account for a small proportion of our membership.

"By giving opportunities to develop the whole person and not just the cyclist KICC hopes that our young people are given the skills and confidence to succeed in sport, at school and in whatever they choose beyond school."

This year KICC worked with local mountain bike tour operator Go-Where Scotland to produce a five-week training and expedition opportunity for girls in the club.

It is hoped that the publicity from the bikepacking trip will attract equipment sponsorship to allow the club to replicate and enhance the project for 2020, extending the offering from a single overnight stay for girls to a two night trip and the same for boys.

KICC has also integrated Youth Scotland's iLead programme for youth leadership into the club along with the more normal mountain biking and indoor winter training sessions.

Chris admitted collecting the Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland award is icing on the cake.

He added: "To win Best Club is a fantastic recognition of all the hard work our volunteers have contributed over the years.

"The club would not succeed without the dedication of all our leaders, helpers and of course that of our young people and their parents."

KICC currently has extensive waiting list for membership and wants to hear from any qualified mountain bike leaders that are available to help at Glentress on Sundays between 10 and 12.

More information is available from the KICC website.