It’s massively important that mountain bikers access land in a reasonable, responsible and respectful way.
We’ve invited a range of environmental partners to spread that message. It’s been great to see people with very different backgrounds coming together around a shared love of our incredible natural heritage.
Come and join the conversation for day two of Thrive.
#mtb #reasonableresponsiblerespectful
Yes, it’s true…!!
The world-famous @dropandrolltour show is coming to Thrive 2026! 🤩
Excited doesn’t come anywhere close to describing how we feel about this!
Founded by and featuring Danny Macaskill and Duncan Shaw – this is THE premier bike stunt show! 💥
Our much-loved friends at @clanstuntshow are having a break through 2026.
Iain Withers, founder of The Clan, where both Danny and Duncan started their stunt show careers, was keen to help us find a replacement show. He reached out to Duncan, put us in touch and helped us navigate our way to booking Drop and Roll.
❤️ A heart felt THANK YOU to Iain, without whom this would not be happening!
Thanks also go to @santacruzbicycles who have been a major contributor in getting this deal over the line and Will Clarke from @northeastadventuretourism for a funding contribution which was the final piece of the puzzle.
These are the only shows Drop and Roll are currently booked to perform in Scotland this year!!!! Don’t miss out on this opportunity to see stunt bike royalty performing on home turf.
Visit the Thriveballater.com website for more information about this free to enter event and to book one of the limited overnight pitches for self-contained motorhomes and caravans 🥳
#dropandroll #madskillz #bikestunts #skidsarenotjustforkids #thriveballater
We’re back! The Drop and Roll tour will be coming to @thriveballater for the first time this September!
We’re delighted to be heading to Scotland’s biggest bike festival, Thrive Ballater for some Drop And Roll shows on the 19th and 20th of September 2026 This is currently our only confirmed stop in Scotland so could be your only chance to catch us on home soil this year! This is going to be a great weekend with plenty of events going on throughout the weekend. Hope to see you all there 👊🏼 #thriveballater #dropandrolltour
Big shoutout to @kennycriggie or as we call him ‘Special K’ 😬
The man behind the scenes who helps us build it all up and pack it all down at the Thrive 🙌
Kenny has our back. Rain, shine, chaos, or last-minute madness…he’s there, getting stuck in and making it happen. Honestly, we couldn’t do what we do without him.
Absolute legend and a proper team player. Thrive wouldn’t be the same without you, Kenny! Thanks for your support 💥
(One day I’ll sell my art work for millions, you’ll see!) 😂
#kennysonourteam #teamthrive #specialk #ridebikesbehappy #thriveballater
☀️ Sunshine, the bluest sky, bikes, and suspiciously good weather!
One of the Thrive crew has been living their best life down south getting some riding in (we’re not jealous at all…), while back home it’s been full steam ahead with organising and planning.
We’ll be back next week with more team intros and some pretty exciting news 🥳
Stay tuned 🚲
#sunshineshowoff #sunshinechasing #ridebikesbehappy #trailsfordays #backatit
Some of you will already know this legend from previous years…
Will (or William) Jacobs has been part of Thrive from the very beginning, and we honestly wouldn’t be the same without him. An insanely talented guitar player who brings the kind of energy that just pulls people in 🎶🎸
You’ll usually spot him mid-riff, completely lost in the music… and if you happen to notice his socks, don’t expect them to match. In fact, don’t expect socks at all 😂 because for Will, it’s never been about his foot-wear, it’s all about the music.
We’re lucky to have him, and we can’t wait for you to see (and hear) him again this year!
#thriveballater #centrestage #jwjmusic #guitar #beentertained
Email: [email protected] 🤘🏽
Aareeeet??
Meet the man, the myth, the legend… Mr. John Green 💚
We like to call him The Green Lantern, not because he glows (although after a full weekend, we’re not ruling it out), but because he’s basically our superhero in disguise.
By day, John’s a paramedic, saving lives and caring for people 🦸♂️🚑 But at Thrive?
You’ll find him as one of our set-up guys, unofficial lollipop man, bin boss, direction guru, master tidier, and general “have you got a second?” hero. If something needs doing, John’s already on it!!
He keeps things running smoothly, keeps everyone smiling, and somehow still has time to be an all-round top human while he’s at it.
Thrive wouldn’t be the same without him!
Give it up for John 👏💚
(Please take the time to appreciate my art work 😬)
#peoplewhomakethrive #greenlantern #herostatus #meangreenmachine #community
In this weeks edition of ‘the people who make Thrive’…
We’re shining the spotlight on a true local legend… Mr Graham Ross, or as most of you know him, Rossco 🙌
Rossco has been a DJ on the local scene since 1979 (yes, really 😄, the year of my birth!) He’s been bringing the tunes, the energy, and the good vibes wherever he goes. And lucky for us, he’s been doing exactly that at Thrive too. And like the true legend he is, he kindly donated his time and enthusiasm, all because of his love of mountain bikes. ❤️ We really appreciate your kindness and DJ skills Rossco 🥰
Now, he has been talking about retiring for the past couple of years… but we’re not convinced just yet!
If you’ve been to Thrive, you’ll know the buzz he brings, the music, the atmosphere, and that unmistakable Rossco touch that gets everyone smiling.
We’re pretty sure it wouldn’t be the same without him 💛
Give him a wee wave when you see him next! 👋🏽
#rosscodisco #getdrunkfalldownandhaves*x #legendarystatus #hestheman #goodpeopledoinggoodthings
Meet Ellie 👋
If you’ve ever admired our graphics, logos, or anything that just looks right… chances are Ellie’s been behind it!
Ellie brings that same creativity, detail, and sense of adventure into everything she does.
When she’s not bringing Thrive to life on our screens, or on our posters and flags, you’ll probably find her out on the trails, whether that’s shredding on her mountain bike, clocking up miles on the gravel bike 🚲 or helping maintain the trails she rides 😊 She’s and all round good egg 🥚 and pretty handy with a leaf blower!
Next time you’re out riding, keep an eye out for her
@ellief_bikesanddoodles@ellieflather_designforprint
#meettheteam #trailchaos #thriveballater #shesalegend #ridebikesbehappy
Thrive contributes 😊
We believe mountain biking should be accessible to everyone.
We’ve supported Tarland Trails Phases 1 and 2, helping make the Seymour Butts climb accessible for adaptive bikes, funding emergency work that reopened T2 within two days after Storm Babet, and contributing to the revamp of T1 at Drummy Woods.
We’re really proud to be able to contribute to such an incredible facility and help support the trails and community that make riding in Deeside so special!
Check out these amazing images of Drummy woods just after it’s impressive trail upgrades 😍🔥
@tarlandtrails@gibson_therapeuticphotography
#mtbcommunity #inclusivemtb #bikesforall #rideaberdeenshire #supportyourtrails
We have news! 🥰
Many of you who’ve joined us at Thrive will know Kate, one of our three organisers.
We’re so proud to share that she has recently taken on the role of Chair at the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, a pro bono role driven by her passion for animal welfare. 🐾
Well done Kate… We’re all so proud of you!
#fortheanimals #proudmoment #thrivecommunity #animallove #doinggood ❤️
@sspca
There’s nothing quite like that moment at the top! 😍
Looking out over Ballater and Lochnagar from our bikes, taking in the views across Royal Deeside… it never gets old. The fresh air, the hills and munros, the quiet before the next descent… this is what it’s all about.
We’re so lucky to ride in a place as special as Royal Deeside. Big skies, beautiful trails, and the best company to share them with.
#thrivebikefestival #royaldeeside #lochnagar #springhassprug #adventureawaits
