Thousands of cyclists will descend on Highland Perthshire this weekend to take part in The Marie Curie Etape Caledonia event.
Set over a gruelling 81 miles on Sunday, the ride begins and finishes in Pitlochry, skirts past Loch Rannoch and Loch Tummel and includes a steep climb at Schiehallion.
Now in its eleventh year, the Marie Curie Etape Caledonia will feature more than 5,000 cyclists, with a host of fundraising activities organised for the participants over the whole weekend. This includes a pasta party, which will be held on Saturday, in 40 minute slots, between noon and 6pm.
In addition, there will be ‘Q and A’ session with Chris Boardman, former Olympic gold medallist.
Entry to the event includes feed stations, with water, hot drinks and snacks, an event village with food, drink and shopping, complimentary bike mechanical services, a finisher medal and a complimentary finisher certificate download.
Etape Caledonia marks part of a busy season of cycling events in Perth and Kinross. This has seen the Dunkeld Enduro already take place, and the focus will soon switch to Coupar Angus with the town’s cycling festival scheduled for June 10 and 11.
Councillor Ian Campbell, leader of Perth and Kinross Council, said he had been involved with Etape Caledonia since its inception.
He said: “Although some people had some concerns at first, Etape has turned out to be one of the major sporting events in the Scottish calendar, and I’m delighted it has done so well.”
