Record numbers expected at this year’s Etape Caledonia
Organisers have confirmed a record number of cyclists are expected at this year’s Etape Caledonia, the UK’s original closed road cycling event, which is to take place this Sunday, 12 May, in Highland Perthshire.
Over 4,200 cyclists are expected to descent upon Pitlochry this weekend, the highest number since before the pandemic.
The event, which is now operated by new owners Motiv Sports UK, will welcome cyclists from all over the world to tackle one of three challenging route options, 40-miles, 55-miles, and 85-miles. Participants will take on winding roads, tree-lined avenues, lochs, mountains, and everything in between, and will cycle on closed roads through picturesque Highland Perthshire villages including Kinloch Rannoch, Coshieville, Fortingall, Dull, Weem, Strathtay, Logierait and Ballinluig.
The three route options have been tailored for experienced cyclists and for those looking to push their limits. The 55 mile route option, introduced at the 2023 event, has become increasingly popular, with 23% of all participants opting to cycle this route in 2024.
Having run for almost twenty years, Etape Caledonia is a well-known sporting fixture in Highland Perthshire and over the years has attracted high profile names including gold medal holder and Olympian Eve Muirhead OBE, Chris Boardman, Graeme Obree, Mark Beaumont, James Cracknell, Rob Wainwright and film star, John Hannah.
Jo Dytch, Event Director, commented: “We’re absolutely delighted with the number of participants this year, which shows a real bounce back after the pandemic, and a return to the number of participants we welcomed before 2020. It heralds a turning point in mass participation sports events as cyclists return to activities they were happily involved in before covid struck.
“We’re also excited to be welcoming cyclists from all over the world, including from places as far away as Hong Kong, Australia and the United States, all of whom appreciate the unique nature of the sportive which allows them to cycle on safe closed roads and simultaneously enjoy the most spectacular scenery and glorious views. Etape Caledonia is truly a cycling sportive unlike any other!”
Cyclists can still register for Etape Caledonia 2024 at www.etapecaledonia.com. Registrations for Etape Caledonia 2025 will open on Saturday 11th May, with 2024 event participants given exclusive ticket access to Super Early Bird at the lowest possible price.
For information on road closures during the event this year, please visit: Resident & Road Closure Information – Etape Caledonia
For more information on this release please contact The Cunningly Good Group on 01738 658187.
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