The ARC Story: Building a Community, One Ride at a Time

Where it All Began.

Adaptive Riders Collective (ARC) was founded in September 2022 by our CEO, Neil Russell. Born with spina bifida, Neil discovered the world of off-road adaptive cycling and, with it, a sense of freedom, adventure, and connection that transformed his relationship with the outdoors. What started as personal exploration quickly became a calling — to make sure others could experience that same thrill of independence and belonging on the trails. From Neil’s passion and lived experience, ARC was born: a community built to open up Scotland’s wild spaces to everyone who wants to ride.

A young boy riding a bicycle on a paved path with another child in the background

The Spark: Community and Inclusion.

Friendship and community have been at the heart of Adaptive Riders Collective (ARC) since day one. ARC grew out of founder Neil’s own journey into the outdoors through off-road adaptive cycling — an experience that opened up a new world of freedom, connection, and belonging. Through riding, Neil discovered not just the joy of exploring Scotland’s landscapes, but the power of shared experience and support among riders. From that spark, the idea for ARC was born: a community built to remove barriers to participation and help others discover the same sense of adventure, friendship, and independence that comes from riding Scotland’s trails together.

Group of six cyclists, five standing and one sitting in a wheelchair, posing with their bikes on a wooded trail near a stone structure during daytime.
Group of four cyclists on a sandy beach with mountains and a lake in the background. They are smiling and wearing helmets, with gear on their bikes.
Group of five people, some with bicycles, smiling and posing under a wooden sign that reads 'Tarland Trails' in a forested area.

Building More Than Just a Brand, Building Foundations.

After ARC was founded, our focus quickly turned to building something that would last. We knew that to make a real impact, we couldn’t just be a passing novelty — we needed a strong foundation, a clear vision, and a recognisable voice. The team set about securing start-up funding, creating a vision document and development plan, and shaping a brand that reflected who we are and what we stand for: community, inclusivity, and the freedom of the outdoors.

But more than that, we wanted to create a movement — a space where off-road adaptive riders could connect, be represented, and feel seen. Through advocacy, storytelling, and collaboration, ARC began to grow in visibility and credibility across Scotland’s cycling community. Alongside that, we launched ‘come and try’ sessions and community rides to help more people discover adaptive cycling for the first time — turning curiosity into confidence, and new faces into friends.

A graphic explaining the evolution of the Adaptive Riders Collective branding, including logos, badges, and slogans, with arrows and text descriptions.
Group of eleven cyclists with mountain bikes by a lake, surrounded by hilly landscape, some wearing helmets and outdoor gear, smiling at the camera.

All it Takes is One Event.

In 2022, the Dukes Weekender made history as the first gravel enduro event in the UK to include a dedicated category for off-road adaptive cyclists — a groundbreaking moment that embodied everything ARC stands for. Seeing adaptive riders take part and be celebrated alongside everyone else confirmed what we already believed: there was a real demand for greater inclusion, visibility, and opportunity in off-road cycling. The event showed us the power of community to drive positive change — and at ARC, we knew we wanted more. Just days after that weekend, the Adaptive Riders Collective CIC was founded. A board was brought together, and a plan began to take shape: to build, grow, and spread the word so that more riders could discover the freedom, adventure, and belonging that off-road adaptive cycling can bring.

Brady hiking backpack, Duke's 2022 booklet about adaptive cycling, Komoot bag, and a gray Nike Endura backpack.
Group of people with handcycles at a registration tent during an outdoor event, surrounded by trees and mountains.
Three men wearing helmets and sunglasses on mountain bikes, smiling outdoors.

Powered by Progress and Continued Momentum.

With early support and determination, ARC secured funding for our first two adaptive handcycles — a milestone that marked the beginning of our growing fleet of off-road adaptive bikes. As our equipment expanded, so did our opportunities. We began attending more events, speaking at conferences, and hosting an increasing number of rides, sessions, and weekend activities for adaptive cyclists across Scotland.

Our presence on the scene continued to grow. We took part in events like Muck n’ Mac Fest in the Scottish Borders and returned to the Dukes Weekender, strengthening our visibility and community connections. We also began forging partnerships with fantastic organisations such as Perthshire Gravel, Bike Trossachs, and Forestry and Land Scotland, working together to improve accessibility and awareness throughout the off-road cycling world.

That same year, our efforts were recognised when ARC received the Community Project of the Year Award at the Scottish Mountain Biking Awards — an incredible honour in our very first year. It confirmed what we already felt: that ARC was part of something truly special. The community was growing, the demand for consultancy and collaboration was rising, and most importantly, ARC was making a real difference — helping more people experience the freedom, connection, and joy of off-road adaptive cycling.

Three smiling people at the Scottish Mountain Bike Awards 2023, with one holding an award, in front of a screen displaying the words "Community Project of the Year".
A group of people with disabilities using handcycles and recumbent bikes at an outdoor event with tents and cloudy sky.
Man in a red shirt wearing a helmet on a recumbent tricycle in a lake with mountains and blue sky in the background.

Looking to the Future.

The journey so far has been incredible — but for ARC, this is just the beginning. As we look ahead, our focus is on empowerment, growth, and reach. We’re training more ride leaders with disabilities, ensuring that the future of off-road adaptive cycling is shaped and led by those with lived experience. Our team continues to grow, and we’re proud to now have a permanent base at the Wheels Cycling Centre in Callander, complete with office and storage space to support our expanding activities.

We’re also excited to have a new van arriving for the 2026 season, which will allow us to take ARC’s rides, events, and community sessions to even more locations across Scotland. Alongside this, our partnership with Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland (DMBinS) through the aMTB Foundations Programme is already making a huge impact — helping us train new leaders, increase participation, and further expand our fleet of adaptive bikes so that more people can experience the freedom of the trails.

We may be only three years into this incredible journey, but we’ve already seen how much can change when community and passion come together. And honestly, we’ve barely scratched the surface of what’s possible. The future of off-road adaptive cycling in Scotland is bright — and we can’t wait to see where the next three years will take us.

Three women outdoors on gravel, one in a wheelchair with a helmet, and the other two standing next to her, smiling and looking at her.
Three smiling people taking a selfie outdoors, wearing matching athletic jerseys with pink and blue colors and the words 'Adaptive Bicycling Collective' on them, with trees and a bicycle rack in the background.
A group of nine people, including a person in a wheelchair, sitting and kneeling outside in front of a wooden building, with a dog, during daytime with sunlight.

Be Part of the Adventure.

The trails are open, and the possibilities are endless. At ARC, we believe that off-road adaptive cycling should be for everyone, and we know the power it has to transform lives — building confidence, friendships, and a true sense of freedom. But we can’t do it alone. Whether you’re a rider, volunteer, partner, or advocate, there’s a place for you in this movement. Join us, support us, or come ride with us — together, we can continue to break down barriers, grow our community, and make Scotland’s outdoors a space where everyone can thrive.

Group of people with adaptive bikes and helmets sitting and relaxing on a dirt trail overlooking a river in a lush green valley surrounded by hills under a partly cloudy sky.