The first Angus Cycling Festival starts next month with a packed programme of events for cyclists of all abilities.
The festival starts with a triathlon and duathlon in Monifieth on August 10 and concludes with a weekend of events at Forfar’s Reid Park on September 13 and 14.
On September 7 participants can choose between a 45-mile road ride around Glenisla, a ladies only cycle through Forfar or a mountain bike ride starting in Kirriemuir.
The festival has been organised by Angus Cycle Hub and The Scottish Mountain Bike Consortium and has been made possible by a grant from Angus Council as well as support from local cycling clubs.
Aaron Grey from The Scottish Mountain Bike Consortium said: “Whether you haven’t had your road bike out of the shed for a while, you want to enter your first mountain bike race or you fancy an epic wild adventure without getting lost, there is an event for you in the Angus Cycling Festival schedule.
“Enthusiasm for the festival is growing just now thanks probably to Scotland’s recent cycling success at the Commonwealth Games.”
The weekend event at Reid Park will include balance bike races for toddlers, a stunt competition, a youth cross country race and a family ride. There will also be opportunities for coaching as well as the opportunities to take test rides on bikes from major manufacturers.
Scott Francis from Angus Cycle Hub said: “The response has been fantastic from local clubs and there is a real enthusiasm to showcase the fantastic cycling and mountain biking available in Angus.
“We are hoping that we can make this a yearly event if it’s a success. We see this as the first stepping stones to start a coordinated approach to developing cycling in Angus.
“In future we hope to help raise the profile of Angus as a cycling destination, help develop and support local cycling and mountain biking initiatives and support local businesses to capitalise on cycle tourism.
“We also hope to extend the coaching for schools and the community.”
More information on the festival can be found at www.anguscyclingfestival.co.uk.