RIDER PHOTOS AVAILABLE AT MYBIB NUMBER NOW!
RIDER PHOTOS AVAILABLE AT MYBIB NUMBER NOW!
FOLLOW THIS LINK TO MYBIB NUMBER PEDAL FOR SCOTLAND 2015 PHOTOS
FOLLOW THIS LINK TO MYBIB NUMBER PEDAL FOR SCOTLAND 2015 PHOTOS
The Pedal for Scotland Classic Challenge route, spanning 50 miles from Glasgow to Edinburgh, will be closed to traffic for the duration of the event on Sunday 6th September. Now in its 17th year, this is the first time that the full Classic Challenge route will be closed to motorised traffic.
Over 7,000 people on bikes are expected to make the 50 mile journey from west to east, taking in Glasgow, Linlithgow, Kirkliston and Edinburgh. Securing a traffic free route for the first time will make the event even safer and more enjoyable for people of all ages and abilities.
Keith Irving, Chief Executive of the event organiser Cycling Scotland said: “Having a traffic free route for the first time creates a safer and even more enjoyable event for 7,000 people. There is still space for more people to register and to help raise funds to tackle the impact of child poverty.
“Even with this new traffic free route, participants must still follow the rules of the road and be aware of other traffic around them, especially in those areas where the other carriageway is still open, or where some limited residents’ access and essential bus services are still in place.
“We are grateful for the work councils and police are carrying out to help deliver a great event and for local residents and businesses who deal with the disruption that such a major, successful event can bring.”
Pedal for Scotland brings in £1.1m to the Scottish economy and is a life changing event for many participants.
If you are up for a challenge, there is still time to register. Click on “Choose a Ride” above for full details on all the rides available and registration.
Scotland’s biggest bike event, Pedal for Scotland, returns on 6th September and promises to be the best yet.
In partnership with MadeBrave creative agency, Pedal for Scotland is proud to present the Team Challenge, a bespoke VIP event package tailored to workplaces and businesses of all sizes.
The MadeBrave Team Challenge gives companies the chance to enjoy either the Classic Challenge 50 mile ride or the Big Belter 110 mile ride together as a team. Starting at Glasgow Green and finishing up at the iconic Murrayfield stadium, you and your workmates can enjoy the ride along with thousands of others, with extra VIP benefits including transport and bag transfer, queue jump for catering, VIP finishers lounge, team photos, prizes and more!
Sign up with your colleagues now for the perfect team building experience that you’ll never forget!
CLASSIC CHALLENGE – 50 MILES
Our 50 Mile Team Challenge gives companies the chance to enjoy our Classic Challenge Ride, which is now in it’s 17th year, together as a team. Cycling from Glasgow to Edinburgh, you and your fellow riders will enjoy the route with some special added benefits – including a queue jump at the start of the race, priority lunch queuing for corporate riders to fuel up with snacks and catch up with their team at stops throughout the ride and hospitality and access to showers and changing at Murrayfield Stadium on completion of the ride. It’s the perfect team building experience that you’ll never forget!
THE ROUTE
The ride’s huge popularity is due to the combination of a great route* that uses a mixture of closed roads, quiet back roads and cycle paths and the fact that it takes in Scotland’s two largest cities via stunning countryside. It’s the perfect challenge for both regular cyclists and those who haven’t cycled in a while – a few weeks training is enough to get in shape.
There are rest stops around every ten miles serving free refreshments, plus a free lunch at the beautiful Linlithgow Palace, topped off with entertainment and activities in Edinburgh, making for the perfect active day out for groups of friends, family or work mates. Transport can also be booked to get you and your bike to the start at Glasgow Green, or home from the finish line at Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh.
BIG BELTER – 110 MILES
The Pedal for Scotland Big Belter is a ride of 110 miles from Glasgow to Edinburgh. The ride uses the same start and finish points as the Classic Challenge ride, but takes a completely separate route, meaning you get the buzz of Scotland’s biggest bike event on a quieter route designed for road cyclists. The transport service will serve Big Belter riders too, meaning there is an easy and hassle free way to get you and your bike to the start in Glasgow Green, or back home from Edinburgh at the finish.
THE ROUTE
The route takes riders through the Southern Uplands and into Edinburgh passing through 7 local authorities and incorporating the best sections of numerous Scottish cycle racing circuits, including the A77 10 Mile Time Trial, sections of the Moscow APR and the Strathaven Anderside Classic, incorporating steep climbs around Muirkirk and undulating stretches across wild moorland. The Big Belter is a much more challenging ride for keen road cyclists.
Over 7,000 people on bikes will travel from Glasgow to Edinburgh on Sunday 6 September as part of Scotland’s largest mass participation bike event, Pedal for Scotland, which starts at Glasgow Green and finishes at Murrayfield Stadium. Roads along the route will be closed between approximately 5.00am and 6.00pm.
This is the 17th year of Pedal for Scotland, a 50 mile route that takes participants on a scenic journey between Glasgow and Edinburgh, raising hundreds of thousands of pounds for charitable causes along the way.
Organised by Cycling Scotland, Pedal for Scotland is a truly unique event with riders of all ages and abilities taking on the challenge.
Keith Irving, chief executive of event organiser Cycling Scotland, said: “This is the 17th year of Pedal for Scotland, one of the country’s biggest mass participation events, which is worth £3m to the Scottish economy.
In order to keep the thousands of participants safe, the bike ride largely take place on closed roads. We work closely with local councils, Police Scotland and other emergency services to allow people to participate safely and enjoyably and we try to keep disruption to a minimum with diversionary routes in place.
“While we understand this may cause some temporary inconvenience, we appreciate the patience of businesses and residents to allow people from across Scotland to safely participate and barriers will be removed efficiently as soon as possible. We hope people across the country will come out and cheer on our riders as they take on this challenge. Support on the route is appreciated. “
Residents who have any further queries or require additional information can email [email protected]
Pedal for Scotland is organised by Cycling Scotland with funding from Transport Scotland.
Click here for more information on local road closures.
Data shows the direct annual economic benefit is over £1.05 million, with a further £1 to £2 million gained through health benefits to participants from across Scotland
New figures released today show that the 2014 Pedal for Scotland event was worth £1.05 million to the economy. On top of this direct economic benefit, there was an additional £1 million to £2 million annual health economic benefit stemming from the fact that thousands of participants cycled throughout the year in preparation for, or as a result of, the event.
The direct £1.05 million economic benefit stems from a range of sources including participant spend on food and drink, accommodation, transport and purchase of cycling equipment. The health economic benefit of between £1 million and £2 million is the financial value of lives saved due to the reduced death rate of those who have started cycling more regularly. In addition to the health economic benefit, the increased levels of regular cycling by participants could lead to fewer cases of Type 2 diabetes, Coronary Heart Disease, stroke and depression.
Research has shown that, in Scotland, physical inactivity contributes to approximately 2,500 deaths per year and costs the NHS at least £94million annually.
In addition to the economic and health benefits, Pedal for Scotland participants annually raise thousands of pounds for charity. In 2014, Pedal for Scotland participants raised over £110,000 for the official charity partner the STV Children’s Appeal. The funds raised for the STV Children’s Appeal are then matched by the Scottish Government and every penny raised is spent in Scotland, making a real difference to the lives of children affected by poverty.
In September 2014, over 10,000 people from all across the country took part in Pedal for Scotland events. The events took place across the country with the events visit communities in Glasgow, North Lanarkshire, Falkirk, West Lothian, Edinburgh, South Lanarkshire and Aberdeen.
Although most took part in the Classic Challenge ride that goes from Glasgow to Edinburgh, 70% of participants hail from outside the two cities – some coming from as far afield as Shetland - so the health and economic benefits of taking part and cycling more regularly span across Scotland.
Keith Irving, Cycling Scotland Chief Executive said: “With over 10,000 people taking part, Pedal for Scotland is the nation’s biggest bike event and this economic and health impact data demonstrate its importance. The range of Pedal for Scotland rides – from 4 miles to 110 miles – are designed so anyone, of any age or ability has an opportunity to enjoy cycling. Cycling Scotland are focused on ensuring that more people can enjoy all the benefits of cycling regularly throughout the year whether to work, school, the shops or for leisure. ”
Pedal for Scotland 2015 will take place between 5th , 6th and 13th September, with rides for all ages and abilities in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen. Register online at www.pedalforscotland.org.
2015 T-shirts are now available to purchase via your Pedal for Scotland account, in the following sizes:
Adult: XL, L, M, S
Child: age 5-6, 7-8, 9-10, 11-12
Price: £5.00
Maureen Watt, MSP for Aberdeen South and North Kincardine, and STV Aberdeen’s Laura Goodwin and Chris Harvey launch Wee Jaunt bike ride taking place in Aberdeen this September
STV news readers Laura Goodwin and Chris Harvey were on hand today to launch the family friendly Wee Jaunt Aberdeen bike ride, taking place on 13th September as part of Scotland’s biggest bike event, Pedal for Scotland. The husband and wife duo were joined by Sean (6), Emily (3) and Maureen Watt MSP to launch the event at Duthie Park.
The Wee Jaunt Aberdeen, now in its third year, offers a family friendly traffic-free loop route right through the heart of Aberdeen, starting and finishing at the picturesque Duthie Park. The six mile route is open for three hours, and riders can do it as many times as they like, followed by entertainment in the park.
Laura and Chris will be taking part on the day, raising funds for children and young people in Scotland affected by poverty by supporting Pedal for Scotland’s official charity partner, the STV Children’s Appeal. Wee Jaunt participants also have the opportunity to raise money for the Appeal. Last year, Pedal for Scotland riders raised over £110,000 for the charity, supporting projects across Scotland including several in Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire.
Laura Goodwin said, “The STV Children’s Appeal is committed to supporting Scotland’s children and I’m really excited to be taking part in Pedal for Scotland as a family and to support this amazing cause. The Wee Jaunt is a great way to get all the family out on their bikes together and raise money for children affected by poverty in Scotland.”
Maureen Watt said, “I am very pleased to be a part of this event which not only raises money to help children, but encourages all of us to get on bikes and up our fitness.”
The Wee Jaunt Aberdeen is accompanied by three other Wee Jaunt rides as part of the Pedal for Scotland series of events. Wee Jaunts in Edinburgh (nine miles), Murrayfield (four miles) and Glasgow (six miles) will give even more people a chance to be part of Scotland’s biggest bike event, regardless of age or ability.
Cycling Scotland Chief Executive, Keith Irving said, “The Wee Jaunt Aberdeen promises to be a fun-filled day for all the family, and an excellent introduction to travelling by bike, be it for work, school or pleasure. The ride will take place on traffic free routes, allowing participants to relax and soak up the atmosphere of this great event. Getting more people cycling and being active everyday will improve the health of Aberdonians and everyone across Scotland”
Entries for the Wee Jaunts, along with the Classic Challenge, Big Belter and MadeBrave Team Challenge rides, are now open. Register at www.pedalforscotland.org.
STV Presenters, David Farrell and Jennifer Reoch, launch the Wee Jaunt Glasgow bike ride taking place this September as part of Pedal for Scotland
Riverside Show presenters, David Farrell and Jennifer Reoch, swapped the studio for a saddle today (4th August) to launch the family friendly Wee Jaunt Glasgow bike ride, taking place on 5th September as part of Scotland’s biggest bike ride, Pedal for Scotland. The pair was joined by Calvin (3), Jack, (3), Isabelle (7) and Alasdair (4).
The Wee Jaunt Glasgow is a six mile ride starting in Glasgow Green. It follows a traffic free riverside route taking in the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome and Commonwealth village. Riders can then enjoy an array of entertainment at Glasgow Green.
David and Jennifer will be taking part on 5th September and raising funds for children and young people in Scotland affected by poverty by supporting the STV Children’s Appeal, Pedal for Scotland’s Official Charity Partner. Wee Jaunt participants also have the opportunity to raise money for the Appeal. Last year’s participants raised over £110,000 for the charity, supporting projects across Scotland including a number in Glasgow and the West of Scotland.
Jennifer Reoch said, “The STV Children’s Appeal is committed to supporting Scotland’s children and I’m really excited to be taking part in Pedal for Scotland this year to support this amazing cause. There are events to suit all levels of experience over the weekend and the Wee Jaunt is a great way to get involved with your friends and family and raise money for children affected by poverty in Scotland.”
Derek Mackay MSP, said, “The Scottish Government is providing an additional £150,000 to Cycling Scotland to extend the variety of bike rides, and increase the number of road closures as part of this year’s Pedal for Scotland. Since Pedal for Scotland began, it has grown enormously and this year we will see again record levels of participants in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen. I wish everyone who takes part an enjoyable day out. ”
The Wee Jaunt Glasgow is accompanied by three other Wee Jaunt rides as part of the Pedal for Scotland series. Ranging from 4 – 6 miles, Wee Jaunts in Edinburgh, starting in Kirkliston, Murrayfield and Aberdeen will give even more people a chance to be part of Scotland’s biggest bike event, regardless of age or ability.
Cycling Scotland Chief Executive, Keith Irving, added, “The Wee Jaunt Glasgow promises to be a fun-filled day for all the family, and an excellent introduction to travelling by bike, be it for work, school or pleasure. It’s the perfect introduction to the next day’s Classic Challenge ride from Glasgow Green to Edinburgh, letting people of all ages and abilities enjoy cycling that weekend. The ride will take place on traffic free routes, allowing participants to relax and soak up the atmosphere of Scotland’s biggest bike event.”
Entries for the Wee Jaunts, along with the Classic Challenge, Big Belter and MadeBrave Team Challenge rides, are now open. Register at www.pedalforscotland.org.