National tourism agency EventScotland has put its hands in its pocket to give cash backing to a major new mountain biking competition in Perthshire.
The Highland Perthshire Enduro will form one of the centrepieces of this year’s week-long Highland Perthshire Cycling Festival.
The event also hosts the Etape Caledonia Sportive. Now EventScotland is contributing funding towards the Enduro, guided rides, a film night and the marketing and promotion of the event.
Tourism bosses hope the event will attract hundreds of competitors and visitors to Highland Perthshire.
The importance of the festival has also been given cash boosts by the Perth and Kinross Countryside Trust and Perth and Kinross Council, as well as Explore Scotland.
EventScotland’s chief operating officer Paul Bush OBE said: “The new Enduro event will create a real challenge for those looking to tackle the uphills and downhills on the 49km (30-mile) route.
“The programme offers something for everyone and it is great to see the strong family element in the festival once again.
“Scotland is the perfect stage for events, and riders in the festival’s closing event, The BIG Day, will be treated to some of the most spectacular views the country has to offer.”
The Enduro event opens the week-long festival on Saturday May 4 and will see competitors take on off-road trails around Dunkeld.
It encompasses climbs and descents, on single track and two-way roads, along with stunning views.
There will be four special timed stages that include a single track loop, a switchback descent and a challenging downhill section, with the winner accumulating the lowest combined time from these sections.
In order to lend more intrigue to proceedings, however, the exact route will remain a secret until nearer to the event.
The technical downhill sections can be ridden on a hard tail bike and there are chicken runs and easy lines for less confident riders.
Kat Brown, from Highland Perthshire Cycling, said “It’s very exciting to have our own Enduro in Highland Perthshire.
“We love to get out on our bikes as much as possible and the route we have chosen takes in the great trails we ride all the time.
“It made even more sense to link them all up into one big ride and invite like-minded riders looking for an achievable challenge to have as much fun as we do.”
Endurance organisers No Fuss Events, from Fort William, will be working with the team at Highland Perthshire Cycling. Entries are now open and places can be secured by visiting the website nofussevents.co.uk.
The cost is £40 and riders must be 16 or over to take part.
For more information on Highland Perthshire Cycling and Highland Perthshire Cycling Festival visit highlandperthshirecycling.co.uk.
The week also features family fun days, kids’ events, local rides and the BIG Day, before it culminates in the Etape Caledonia Sportive on Sunday May 12.