Route and road closures revealed as Cycling World Championships come to Perthshire

Thousands of cyclists will take part in the event this summer.

By Kieran Webster

May 24 2023, 4:44pm

A number of bus services will be affected during the UCI World Cycling Championships. Image: Shutterstock

Details have been revealed of the route and road closures for the UCI Cycling World Championships coming to Perthshire this summer.

The Grand Fondo race will see up to 8,000 cyclists racing through the region on August 4 – starting in Perth and finishing at Scone Palace.

It will be the first time the 160km Grand Fondo – which translates to Big Ride – will have been held in the region, with many roads closing for several hours.

Cyclists can also sign up for the much shorter 85km Medio Fondo.

Council chiefs hope the UCI event will bring a £2.7 million boost to the local economy – with millions also expected to watch on TV.

The UCI Cycling World Championships is the first event of its kind, bringing together several different disciplines for a series of events across Scotland.

Map for Grand Fondo in Perth and Perthshire

Main route (click image for full size)

The full route of the Gran Fondo. Image: Perth and Kinross Council.

Section 1: Perth (8am-noon)

A85 Charlotte Street, Perth
A85 Atholl Street, Perth

Section 2: Perth-Methven (9am-12.45pm)

A85 Barrack Street, Perth
A85 Dunkeld Road, Perth
A85 Crieff Road (Perth to Methven)

The Gran Fondo route begins at Perth city centre and finishes at Scone Palace. — The route begins at Perth city centre and finishes at Scone Palace. Image: Perth and Kinross Council.

Section 3: Methven-Sma Glen (9.15am-1.30pm)

C409, Glenalmond (Methven to A822, Sma Glen)

Section 4: Sma Glen-Milton Junction (10.30am-2pm)

A822, Sma Glen (B8063, Buchanty to A822 Milton Junction)

Section 5: Milton Junction-Aberfeldy (10.45am-2.30pm)

A826 (Strath Braan to Aberfeldy)

Section 6: Aberfeldy-Tummel Bridge (11.15am-3.15pm)

B846 (Aberfeldy to Tummel Bridge)

Two roads in Aberfeldy will be closed during the race. — Aberfeldy road closures. Image: Perth and Kinross Council.

Section 7: Tummel Bridge-Pitlochry (11.45am-4pm)

B8019, Strathtummel

Section 8: Pitlochry-Kinnaird (12.15pm-4.15pm)

B8079-A924 (Faskally to Pitlochry/Moulin)

New Route Perth and Kinross A924.jpg — The new route at Pitlochry. Image: Perth and Kinross Council

Section 9: Kinnaird-Kirkmichael (12.15pm-5pm)

A924 (Pitlochry to Kirkmichael)

Section 10: Kirkmichael-Bridge of Cally (12.45pm-5.15pm)

A924 (Kirkmichael) to A93 (Bridge of Cally)

Section 11: Bridge of Cally-Blairgowrie (1pm-5.45pm)

A93 (Bridge of Cally to Blairgowrie)

Section 12: Blairgowrie-Guildtown (11.15am-6.15pm)

A93 (Blairgowrie to Guildtown)

Road closures in Blairgowrie. Image: Perth and Kinross Council

Section 13: Guildtown-Old Scone (11.30am-6.45pm)

A93 (Guildtown to Old Scone)

Section 14: Buchanty-Bankfoot (9.45am-1.15pm)

B8063 (Buchanty to Chapelhill)
U31, Little Glenshee
U32 (Tullybelton) to C408 (Bankfoot)

Section 15: Bankfoot-Blairgowrie (10.30am-2.15pm)

B867 (Bankfoot) to B9099 (Pittensorn)

Organisers have been consulted on plans for the road closures.

The event is taking place on the same day as the Perth show.

Gran Fondo ‘fantastic’ for Perth and Kinross

The Gran Fondo time trials will also take place on Monday August 7 across Dundee and Angus.

Starting on West Grange Road, east of Dundee, riders will head north-east along Arbroath Road (part of the A92) towards Arbroath.

Councillor Andrew Parrott, environment, infrastructure and economic development convener at Perth and Kinross Council, said: “The Gran Fondo is sure to be a fantastic event for Perth and Kinross.

“We have a fantastic track record of delivering large-scale events and this will be another unforgettable event for cyclists and spectators alike.

“As we approach the event and council officers and the organisers will be working as hard as possible to minimise the disruption associated with the necessary road closures.