Angus Cycling Festival is hoping to double the number of people attending this year’s event.
The growing festival, which will be held for the third time at Reid Park in Forfar, has planned a series of cycling activities for people of all ages and abilities.
The festival kicks off with the Forfar Funduro, a mountain bike race which will see around 250 competitors tackle seven timed stages across the local countryside.
This event finishes at Reid Park with a head to head dual slalom race.
The festival will also host a round of the Scottish Cycling Tayside and Fife Youth Cross Country Series with a completely new course for youngsters this year.
During the weekend of September 17 and 18 there will also be a trade village in the park, which will feature demonstration bikes from top manufacturers, family entertainment, live music and local food.
The festival is being organised by local not for profit group Angus Cycle Hub, Muckmedden Events and Angus Bike Chain Cycling Club.
Angus Cycle Hub director Scott Francis said: “We’re hoping to double last year’s turnout and are thrilled to be hosting the final round of the Scottish Cross Country Championship this year.
“Our volunteers have planned a tough course which should be fantastic for racers and spectators.”
Another new addition this year will be a road based challenge ride into the Angus glens.
The festival concludes on Sunday with a spectacular show of skill as riders take part in a best air and best trick competition, which last year saw competitors jumping up to 20 feet in the air.
Angus Council has shown its support to the festival with community grants.
£1,000 from the Focus Years Fund will help towards the cost of advertising, PA hire, circus skills workshops and two-way radio hire.
It is also being used to bring in some adaptive bikes for people to try and attract some Scottish manufacturers of bike apparel to showcase product innovation in cycling which is going on within Scotland.
Another grant of £3,350 will go towards the cost of first aid provision, stunt airbag hire and race timing equipment hire.
Mr Francis added: “The previous year’s event was estimated to have an economic impact of around £50,000 to the local region.
“Money generated goes back into helping develop cycling and the work Angus Cycle Hub does in the Angus region.”
