In September came the tragic news that champion downhill mountain biker Jaymie Mart had died at the age of just 31. Jaymie, originally from Penrith and who lived in the Scottish Borders, was seven-times Elite Female Scottish Downhill Champion and the silver medallist in the 2010 World Mountain Bike Masters Championships.

Known to her friends as The Barbadian Bullet, after successful racing on a dual nationality passport for the Barbados mountain bike team, she was sponsored by Trek and Fox Racing Clothing.

She was much loved her amazing enthusiasm to work and life and her friend and mountain biking rival Petra Wiltshire said after Jaymie’s death: “Jaymie brought fun, warmth and laughter to everyone she has ever known.”

Now a new mtb’ing festival, Jayfest, will celebrate the mountain biker’s life.  To be held in the Scottish town of Innerleithen, where Jaymie had lived, the event promises an invigorating combination of downhill racing events for riders of all ages and abilities.

Innerleithen also promises to do Jaymie’s memory proud with a host of local traders selling great food and artistic products, as well as live music and DJs.

The Jaymie Mart Foundation, set up to nurture new and emerging mountain biking talent at grass roots level, is the financial backbone to Jayfest. The Foundation aims to provide two young riders, who are able to demonstrate huge promise, with a means tested grant to take their sport to higher levels.

Keep an eye on this blog and Jayfest for more news about dates and more about the event.

(No doubt you are wondering how Jaymie died, but I have found no available information about this.)