TweedLove Bike Week

It’s nothing to with chafing old world fabric – the TweedLove Bike Week will once again be taking place in the mountain biking mecca that is the Tweed Valley in the Scottish borders this summer. With support from fellow Scots Endura, they’ve unveiled an action packed programme taking place from Saturday 11 to Sunday 19 June 2011.

With more funding from EventScotland and Scottish Borders Council, they’ve been able to add loads of new stuff to last year’s busy programme of both free and paid events. There looks like there will be something for cyclists of all styles and ages

in there, from ‘cross to dual slalom. Here’s a full run through of what’s going to be happening…

The Glentress Seven – 11 June

Could this be the event Forestry Commission Scotland’s Glentress has been waiting for? A seven-hour endurance mtb event combining the best of the man-made and natural trails with loads of normally off-limits tracks and some specially built sections.

Skinny Tweed – The Hub, Glentress – 12 June

A free guide-supported road ride round a beautiful circuit of quiet country roads, with a stop for food and a very sociable demeanour. 44 mile route.

Local Ride-Outs

Peebles: 12 June (women only);
Innerleithen: 13 June
Selkirk: 14 June
Peebles: 15 & 16 June.

Local riders share some of their favourite (and lesser known) trails on these friendly, informal rides. Some fantastic mountain bike rides around the Tweed Valley. Routes vary, lasting about two hours.

The Peebles Sprint & family ride – Peebles, 14 June (pm)

A Belgian style ‘kermesse’ town centre road race. 40 riders battle it out over a short, fast and furious course. There will be an opportunity for kids and families to ride a lap of the course before the start.

Hawaii Tweed & Dual Slalom – Glentress, 15 June

Head to head racing down a parallel course; push up, switch courses and go again! BBQ, late night Hub cafe opening, Hub bikes demo night and ride-out.

Celluloid Tweed & TweedLove Film Competition – Eastgate Theatre Peebles, 16 June.

The multi-award winning headline film, Life Cycles, has been recognized as one of the most beautiful and original bike films ever made. It will be screened alongside a selection of the best entries to the amateur short film competition. See film competition details at the website – www.tweedlove.com/

Dirt Crit – Glentress, 16 June.

Peebles Cycling Club are holding a round of their Dirt Crit cross country series open to all children under 16.

Crosslove & Pump It Up – St Ronan’s Primary School, Innerleithen – 17 June.

Crosslove is a summer cyclocross race for all on a short, challenging off road course. Pump It Up, the unofficial Scottish Pump Track Championships, will see riders race each other over ten laps of one track and in a velodrome style pursuit on the other.

Natural Tweed – Innerleithen trailhead car park, 18 & 19 June.

Two epic free self-guided mountain bike rides with some big climbs, some ripping descents and awesome scenery, taking riders on a big trip of discovery on some great trails around the Tweed Valley. Limited places; please register early. Both routes approx 55 km.

Crank It Up – TweedLove closing concert, Peebles Burgh Hall – Saturday 18 June.

Scottish indie band success story Frightened Rabbit headline. Having just signed with Atlantic Records, Frightened Rabbit, who hail from Selkirk, return to the Tweed Valley for a very special one off gig. Support from The Filthy Tongues.

TweedLove is again being organised by the local community – everyone from Scottish Borders Council and Lothian and Borders Police to local businesses, cycling clubs and organisations and biking enthusiasts. Their enthusiasm, generous support and community spirit makes TweedLove the unique thing it is.

The many informal ride outs and guided rides on both fat tyres and skinny wheels, hosted by passionate local riders throughout the week, encapsulate the true spirit and ethos of the festival – ‘a special week of bike riding and good times on and off the bike in the Tweed Valley’.

For further information on TweedLove or to book your place go to: www.tweedlove.com/