Pedal Power

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16 August 2010

bikesbothwellThe Fresh'n'lo Pedal for Scotland event is upon us again. Taking place on the 12th September 2010 this  cycling challenge challenge has got bigger with three different categories of cycle ride for the connoisseurs of cycling to the people who want to just have fun.

The first of these bike rides which is in its 12 year is the "Challenge" ride which is a 51 mile bike ride between Glasgow and Edinburgh. This bike ride prides itself on being Scotland’s largest bike ride attracting 7000 participants last year.

However if this bike ride appears to be a little on the feeble side in terms of distance one need not worry - the "Sportive Challenge" could be the one for you. At a whopping 100 miles this bike ride is not one for the faint hearted. Catering for the hardcore cyclist it takes in a slightly more scenic route from Glasgow to Edinburgh. As well as passing through 7 local authorities the route will also take in some of Scotland’s numerous cycle racing circuits. Although the Challenge ride and the Sportive ride have the same start and finish points the routes will differ to enable those taking part in the Sportive challenge the chance to achieve the best time they can.

So having catered for the lycra - clad enthusiasts who take their two-wheeled pedalling seriously, there is another cycle ride that has been added to the Freshnlo Pedal for Scotland event for 2010. The Family ride which a 3 mile off-road bike ride round Glasgow Green meaning young children can enjoy a cycle without coming into contact with busy traffic. If that isn’t enough for the children there is also going to be entertainment in the form of legendary children’s entertainment group the Singing Kettle.

The big attraction to the event for keen cyclists is undoubtedly  the special guest. Record breaking Scottish cyclist Mark Beaumont. Beaumont, who became the fastest person to cycle around the world, and recently completed a cycle ride from Alaska to the southern tip of South America, will start the ride on Sunday 12 September. Mark commented on his involvement with the event: "The freshnlo Pedal for Scotland bike ride is an eagerly awaited event and it’s fantastic that Cycling Scotland have revamped the event to now incorporate the three different rides, allowing people of all abilities and ages to take part”.

This event will not only involve the whole family along with the more serious cyclist it will also raise money for various charities including the Maggie’s Centre which is the official Freshnlo Pedal for Scotland Charity. Other charities that are also going to benefit from the cycle include: Alzheimer Scotland, Keep Scotland Beautiful and Cycling Scotland. SO why not get on your bike and raise money for worthwhile charities at the same time!

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RE: Pedal Power
written by Aulyin , 2010-08-19 21:55:07
Please look over this idea for a fund raising event on the anniversary of kirkpatrick MacMillan's 200th birthday.

How much could be raised with 'The MacMillan 100KM'?

Kirkpatrick MacMillan pedaled his new contraption from Keir Mill in Dumfriesshire to Glasgow: 62 miles in two days.
62 miles converts to 99.78 KM (call it 100KM).

Kirkpatrick Macmillan was born near Dumfries, Scotland, in 1812.
Could we arrange to have a annual cycling rally following his route from Drumlanrig to Glasgow beginning in June 2012 to commemorate the feat and raise money for the MacMillan Trust Cancer Research.

KM: http://www.squidoo.com/kirkpatrickmacmillan
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RE: Pedal Power
written by Aulyin , 2010-08-19 21:57:43
If we could find out the exact route MacMillan took we could arrange with villages and towns along it to hold cycle orientated events, raising more money for charity.

Could we have 100 events?

Kirkconnel in Dumfriesshire pays a small fortune to have a large section of the A76 closed down and a diversion put in place. This would be a good time to have the rally and it's in June.

See what other cyclists say:
http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=12651714&start=20
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Why does cycling have to be a challenge?
written by Bill 1212 , 2010-08-25 09:57:28
Events like this are highly questionable. They are contra-intuitive to promotion of cycling as valid everyday, functional mode of transport. This article and whoever is behind this event are elevating the simple activity of riding a bike into a ''challenge''. So '' lycra - clad enthusiasts take their two-wheeled pedalling seriously''? I take riding my bike seriously because it takes me to work, shopping library. I wear ordinary clothes, no lycra, no helmet, use the streets and roads as my right like other vehicles. Seems to me that underlying Cycling Scotland's concept of cycling is reactionary - '' serious cycling'' is only for 'sport' or 'recreation'. Using my bicycle as my mode of transport IS a 'serious' activity, functional and a pleasure. For the same reasons I oppose all ''charity rides'' and oppose using celebrities, like Beaumont or Hoy in cycling promotion until I can be convinced they ride their bikes in the same way as Dutch and Danish citizens do.
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RE: Why does cycling have to be a challenge?
written by pedalgirl , 2010-08-26 08:39:15
I couldn't agree more with your comment.
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