The runaway success of the inaugural Angus Cycling Festival has put the driving force behind the event on track for a top national award.
Held last September, the festival based around Forfar’s Reid Park drew hundreds of visitors to Angus and saw more than 5,000 miles covered by participant in a variety of events.
Plans are already well underway for the 2015 festival and the Angus Cycle Hub which developed the initiative have been buoyed by a shortlist selection in the community sport category of the Sport Business Innovation Awards.
Glasgow Science Centre will stage the glittering awards ceremony next month when a wide range of individuals and events will be celebrated and Scott Francis of Angus Cycling Hub said the inclusion of the Angus event on the roll of honour was the icing on the cake of the inaugural event.
He said those behind the nomination were “totally stoked” by the achievement of reaching the final five in the category.
“The first festival was a massive success, well beyond everyone’s expectations,” said Scott.
As part of the award nomination process, Angus Cycle Hub’s submission included impressive statistics from the economic impact assessment of the two-day Forfar festival.
“We had eleven events and races in all, including two firsts for Angus – the first regional youth race and the first enduro,” Scott continued.
“There were 530 participants and the total mileage covered was 5,300.”
The economic boost to the area was estimated at around £10,000 and Angus Cycle Hub is determined to build that figure when the event makes a Reid Park return in late September.
“We are speaking to people such as Event Scotland about growing the festival but there is no doubt the festival was such a big success because of the support we got through the likes of Scottish Cycling and Angus Council, which was tremendous,” Scott added.
The Scottish Mountain Bike Consortium also linked to play a key part in the events which included a funduro, airbag stunt competition and mtb racing over the highly-rated Balmashanner quarry course overlooking the town.
Scott revealed Angus Cycling Hub’s ambitions extend well beyond the festival, with a plan to try and source funding for the appointment of full-time cycling development figures locally.
Although the area’s natural landscape and the emergence of enthusiast-created facilities such as the Balmashanner track are helping Angus build its reputation among cyclists, there remains a feeling that the county is still well short of top gear in maximising its potential.
“We have been trying to make efforts to highlight cycling in Angus for some time because it is just so untapped,” Scott continued.
“There is definitely a need, and a want, and we’re looking to work with groups to develop that,” he added.
Rivals on the award shortlist include a Badminton Scotland/SAMH programme and RGU Aberdeen Youth Games.
“To even be on the shortlist is tremendous for us,” said Scott.