Cyclists from across Scotland are set to flock to Reid Park, Forfar, on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 September for the 2016 Angus Cycling Festival; a family celebration of all things two wheeled.
The Festival, now in its 3rd year, is a must visit event for families and individuals interested in riding bikes. There will be mountain bike races for all ages, a stunt airbag contest, demonstration bikes from top manufacturers, a cycle skills course, a trade village and loads of family entertainment; all this and some great local food and live music.
The Angus Cycling Festival kicks off on Saturday 17 September with The Forfar Funduro. This is a multi-stage mountain bike Enduro race perfectly pitched for the novice rider with more challenging stages for the experienced racers. It is the perfect spectator event as the course is compact enough that family and friends can spectate from start to finish and cheer riders on as they hurtle towards certain joy.
The Funduro, organised by Muckmedden Events, will see up to 300 competitors tackle seven timed stages across the local countryside, including some exciting quarry stages, and finishing in the event village with a head to head dual slalom race, a guaranteed crowd pleaser.
Aaron Gray of Muckmedden Events, organisers of The Forfar Funduro, said:
“Our Funduros have a super-friendly atmosphere and trails that are just technical enough to make riders feel elated, not deflated. They are the perfect events for the Enduro curious novice to try their hand at racing. These events are all about having fun, not shaving tenths off stage times.”
The Festival concludes on Sunday 18 September with the final round of The Scottish Cross Country Championship (SXC) where riders will take on a tough multi-lap course across Balmashanner Hill and Reid Park. There will also be a spectacular show of skill and bravery as riders take part in big air Best Trick and High Jump Competitions which last year saw competitors jumping up to 20ft in the air.
The 2016 Angus Cycling Festival is being organised by local not for profit group, Angus Cycle Hub, and Muckmedden Events. It is also supported by Angus Bike Chain Cycling Club and The Robertson Group. The event is being funded by contributions from the Angus Council Community Grant Scheme and Scotmid.
Angus Cycle Hub director Scott Francis said:
“We’re hoping build on the success of last year’s events. We are thrilled to be hosting the championship round of the Scottish Cross Country Series this year on Sunday 18th September. Our volunteers have planned a tough course which should be fantastic for both racers and spectators.”
“The 2015 event was estimated to have an economic impact of around £50,000 to the local region with participants covering over 22000 miles by bicycle during the month worth of events we had organised and we are hoping to surpass that this year.”
For downloadable images of the Forfar Funduro and Angus Cycling Festival go to: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/dsc2n8hb1o6e0bc/AACe-EsLko-_f8_LcpDmPBqia?dl=0
For more information on the Forfar Funduro and Angus Cycling Festival go to:
http://www.anguscyclehub.co.uk/anguscyclingfestival/
http://www.muckmedden.co.uk/forfar-funduro/
For Forfar Funduro entries got to:
http://www.active.com/forfar-angus/cycling/mountain-biking-races/forfar-funduro-2016
Notes to Editors:
Sponsors, partners and supporters
Hosts:
Angus Cycle Hub – http://www.anguscyclehub.co.uk/
Muckmedden Events – http://www.muckmedden.co.uk/
The Scottish Mountain Bike Consortium – http://www.thesmbc.co.uk/
Angus Bike Chain – http://angusbikechaincc.com/
Developing Mountain Biking Tayside and Fife – http://www.dmbins.com/riders/tayside-fife
Angus Council – https://www.angus.gov.uk/
Co-Event Organiser:
Muckmedden Events – http://www.muckmedden.co.uk/
Sponsors of Muckmedden:
Alechemy Brewing – http://alechemybrewing.com/
The Cycle Jersey – http://www.thecyclejersey.com/
About Angus Cycle Hub
Angus Cycle Hub is a not for profit Social Enterprise & registered Community Interest Company whose mission is to support the development of a pathway for people to start and continue cycling as a means to better health and well-being regardless of socio, economic or ethnic background. The Hub will do this through paid events, workshops, training, bike-recycling and provision of a dedicated Cycle Hub. Angus Cycle Hub will support the development of a sustainable infrastructure to help nurture cycling activity in the Angus region through development of a full time Community Cycle Hub. This will increase cycling in Angus and contribute towards positive environmental improvements as well as improving the health of the local population.
