The TweedLove Bike Festival 2015 gets under way tomorrow (May 16) and the Peebles-based event promises a plethora of cycling-themed fun over the next fortnight. Here's my guide to some of the best ways to enjoy the action.
1) Earn your racing stripes
The Skinny Tweed, a classic 75km (46 mile) road bike sportive with electronic chip timing, takes place on May 17. In addition to a cracking route, it has the added incentive of a feed station stocked with mouth-watering Big Bear Bakery cakes.
Love Cross, a brand new event for 2015, is billed as action-packed, urban cyclocross-inspired racing in the heart of Peebles on May 19. Earlier that evening the TweedLove Family Ride will take place offering a gentle, traffic-free pedal around the town's high street.
Last year saw Chris Ball and Rosslyn Newman crowned king and queen of the hill. The 2015 Whyte Endura Scottish Open on May 22 and 23 is shaping up to be another edge-of-the-seat thriller with 500 riders set to battle it out on the Tweed Valley's enduro trails. Testament to its popularity, places are already sold out (waiting list at tweedlove.com).
Then there's the Glentress Seven, a not-for-the-faint-hearted seven-hour endurance race over an 11km (seven mile) course, on May 23. Solo spots have sold out but there are some pair and trio places still available.
2) Enjoy bikes on film
A celebration of all things cycling and celluloid will take place on May 28. Director/producer Stu Thomson of Cut Media will be giving a rare insight into his remarkable body of work which includes Danny Macaskill's viral sensations The Ridge and Imaginate.
Scottish bike travel and adventure guru Andy McKenna of Go-Where will be sharing stories from life on the trails. There is also an amateur short film competition (closing date for entries May 22) and a photo exhibition which runs from May 28 until June 24 at Eastgate Theatre, Peebles.
3) Go exploring
If dirt, rocks and big hills are your thing then check out Natural Tweed, a free event through remote and rugged countryside on May 25. The ride covers 45km (28 miles) and all riders will be given a printed map and full route description on the day.
New for 2015, meanwhile, is The Chase, a mountain bike orienteering event on May 20. The goal is to visit as many checkpoints as you can within a two-hour time limit.
4) Loosen up
Physiotherapist and ultra endurance runner, Ross Grieve, will be offering pilates classes for cyclists on May 25 and 26.
Specially developed for mountain bikers, target areas include helping transmit more power from pedals to legs as well as maintain control in the saddle over extended periods of time.
The two-hour class will include demonstrations followed by a Q&A session.
5) Watch world-class racing
After a successful debut in 2014, the world's top riders are set to return to tackle the Cannondale Alpine Bikes World Enduro on May 30 and 31.
The event village and expo at Tweed Green in Peebles is free for spectators. Swing by to spot big-name cyclists and soak up the vibe.
For those who fancy riding the route without the pressure of racing (or who missed out on a place in the sold-out event), there will be an Enduro World Series Course Ride on June 1.
Well, hangover-permitting ... The official after party - dubbed The Love Club 2105 - takes place on May 31 and promises music, beer, blether and dancing (although not necessarily in that order).
The TweedLove Bike Festival runs from May 16 until June 1. For more information including event prices and how to book, visit tweedlove.com
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