Aviemore gears up for a brand new bike festival

A new cycling festival is on track for this May in the Aviemore area after being delayed by the Covid pandemic.

Organisers have BikeMore will be the first of its kind to be inclusive across a whole range of cycling base activities.

With the social hub based at the Old Bridge Inn, organisers hope that the gathering which takes place from May 12 to 14 will become an annual event for the village.

Event founder Scott Burns-Smith commented: “We are delighted to finally launch BikeMore this year.

"Originally the event was set to go live in Spring 2020 but as we all know the events industry was decimated on the back of the Covid pandemic, however, we are delighted that BikeMore will hit the trails in and around the Cairngorms in May.”

BikeMore will stage various biking relating experiences over the weekend from a free stunt demo show by the Clan Stunt Team on the Saturday at the Base Station of Cairngorm Mountain to a number of guided ride experiences starting out from Aviemore and aimed at different cycling levels throughout the weekend.

The ever-popular Old Bridge Inn will have a variety of locally sourced food offerings , music and top-class hospitality on offer.

One of BikeMore’s support partners is Cairngorm Mountain and chief executive Susan Smith said: “We are thrilled to be part of this exciting new cycling event taking place right here on our doorstep.

"Cycling is a hugely popular activity throughout the area and the vast range of picturesque trails should be highlighted and celebrated.

"The trails also provide the opportunity to capture breath-taking views of the Cairngorms.

"Building on this event we are also excited to be bringing family friendly mountain biking trails to Cairngorm Mountain this summer.”

2023 is set to be an explosion of cycling activity right across Scotland.

For the first time, 13 UCI World Championships will be held in the same location, creating the biggest cycling event ever and one of the largest events ever hosted in Scotland.

Mr Burns-Smith said: “Whilst the majority of competitive events will take place across the Central Belt in the month of August, it’s important to remember the diverse and amazing cycling destinations in the Highlands and, of course, Aviemore and the Cairngorms has a huge mix of some of the most exciting cycling led adventures anywhere in the country.

"This is a huge opportunity for all businesses in Aviemore and the surrounding locality to get behind and support with a view to the weekend growing and becoming an annual cycling event for the area.”

Mark Tate, chief executive of the Cairngorms Business Partnership, said: “It is fantastic to see BikeMore come to life.

"The Cairngorms National Park has so much to offer cyclists with amazing, well maintained trails where you can enjoy Scotland’s most stunning nature and landscapes, right from the heart of Aviemore.

"Whatever your bike; gravel, mountain or a gentle e-bike we are delighted that BikeMore will help locals and visitors alike to discover stunning rides from the heart of Aviemore along with its

famous hospitality and apres-bike.”

Further information on BikeMore will be posted across the event's social channels on Instagram and Facebook: @BikeFestivalAviemore including updates and information on how to register for the weekend.

Those interested in being part of the event as a business or sponsor can contact Mr Burns-Smith and the team at BikeMore via social media.

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