Pedal put to metal on Kilberry Loop
Seventy-seven cyclists from across Scotland headed to Tarbert on Saturday August 6 to take part in the 2022 Kilberry Loop Sportive.
Undeterred by the morning’s showers it was all smiles on the starting line as the cyclists were piped on their way by local bagpiper John Hunt.
This 40-mile ride, organised by the Mid Argyll Triathlon and Cycle Club and registered with British Cycling, has been a fixture on Tarbert’s events calendar since it was first staged in 2018.
Starting and ending at The Gather, Tarbert, the Kilberry Loop Sportive is an inclusive event, open to cyclists of all abilities and the perfect first step on the road to competitive cycling. The route itself is testing but the rewards are huge, with breath-taking scenery from every angle.
For those riders cycling in company and making the most of the opportunity to enjoy the day, the photo opportunities are endless.
And for those cyclists who want to push themselves, the route is exciting enough to get the adrenaline flowing.
The sportive first takes cyclists north, out of the village on the A83 before heading onto the B8024 single track road.
Cyclists then head south west over Loch Caolisport and travel down its shore line before reaching Kilberry Head, bearing due east and then up through Torinturk, before passing Tarbert Golf Club and then turning back onto the A83 to return to The Gather.
Event organiser John Hardie was delighted to welcome cyclists back to what has become a firm favourite on the Tarbert events calendar, saying: ‘It doesn’t feel like a year since we were last here and I’m thrilled to welcome everyone back to Tarbert.
‘We have a very high rate of returning cyclists and I’m delighted to welcome some new names to this year’s event.
‘I hope our sportive will become their new favourite event too, and they go on to bring their friends back with them next year.
‘These events don’t organise themselves and I’d like to thank Phil and Corrin at The Gather for their hospitality. 'Thanks to our marshals who covered the 40-mile route, who supported and cheered on our cyclists, and whose encouragement spurred everyone on to dig that little bit deeper – even up the longest hills!
‘A huge thank you to the encouragement from local residents along the route who made the cyclists feel most welcome. To our registration team, first aiders and, of course, our cyclists, we couldn’t do this without any of you.
‘Look out for details of next year’s event dropping into your inboxes soon, and don’t forget to forward it onto your friends.’