The National Trust Announces Partnership With Shred

SWINDON, England, March 30, 2011 - The National Trust, the country's biggest owner of outdoor spaces, has
for the first time ever teamed up with a cycling team, Shred, in a new
partnership for the 2011 season.

Throughout the season Shred, a well known UK mountain biking and road
racing team based in the south west of England, will wear National Trust
branded cycling (
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-chl/w-countryside_environment/w-activities/w-activities-cycling.htm)
kit and will be working closely with the Trust
at a number of biking events over the coming months.

They will become ambassadors for the Trust's countryside work as the
organisation increasingly focuses on its outdoor spaces.

Jim Pascoe from the National Trust said: "We're gearing up for a cracking
year of cycling and the new link with the Shred team reflects the importance
of getting more people on their bikes.

"We manage large swathes of stunning countryside (
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-chl/w-countryside_environment.htm) and
wonderful country estates and exploring these places by bike is the ideal way
to experience the great outdoors (
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-visits-feelfree.htm) and
get that bit closer to nature (
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-chl/w-countryside_environment/w-nature.htm)
."

In the south west of England the Trust is involved in the 1SW project and
is in the process of creating a new mountain biking trail centre on the
outskirts of Plymouth and planning another one in Cornwall.

Steve Toze, team manager for Shred, added: "Teaming up with the National
Trust for the 2011 season made lots of sense as they own the land where we
can do the things close to our heart - riding, surfing, walking and camping
(www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-holidays/w-camp.htm).

"Their greater focus on the fun side of cycling which appeals to everyone
really chimes with what we're about - a great experience in the outdoors."

A mini cycling revolution has been launched at the National Trust this
year with a series of seven magnificent challenge rides (also known as
sportives) starting with a ride through the beautiful Pembrokeshire
countryside on the 1 May and visits the South West with a Dartmoor to
Boscastle sportive on Sunday 25 September.

In late July (16-24 July) a cycling festival will see Trust properties
open their doors for after hours riding and events to help kids get the bike
bug.

The route for the Olympic road race in July 2012 was announced in early
February, with the Box Hill Zig Zag Road, a National Trust owned site, the
highlight. The men will negotiate the tactical hairpins and punishing climb
nine times and the women's race will do it twice. For the men's road race,
the Box hill loop is over half the entire distance. Olympic medals could be
won or lost here.

About the National Trust:

With more than 250,000 hectares (660,000 acres) of countryside and 710
miles of coastline across England, Wales and Northern Ireland there are
plenty of opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors with the National Trust.

The National Trust cares for 300 inspiring historic houses and gardens
across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. From former workers' cottages to
the most iconic stately homes, and from mines and mills to theatres and inns,
the stories of people and their heritage are at the heart of everything it
does. People of all ages, individuals, schools and communities, get involved
each year with its projects, events and working holidays and over 60,000
volunteers help to bring the properties alive for the Trust's 3.8 million
members.

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the hyperlink into your Internet browser's URL address field. Remove the
space if one exists.)

    Press Contact:

    Mike Collins
    Senior Press Officer
    The National Trust
    Heelis
    Kemble Drive
    Swindon
    Wiltshire
    SN2 2NA
    +44(0)1793-817708

www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Mike Collins, Senior Press Officer, The National Trust, Heelis, Kemble Drive, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN2 2NA, +44(0)1793-817708