Perthshire Advertiser

Enduro returns to Fair City

Fancy dress bike race

- Ross Gardiner

wPedal-powered cycling enthusiast­s will get back in the saddle as a top event returns to Perth later in the year.

The Muckmedden Fair City Enduro mountain bike race, which was recently listed in Red Bull’s ‘Top 11 Must Do Mountain Bike Events in 2017’, returns to the Fair City on Saturday, October 21.

Taking place at the Lesser South Inch the Halloween fancy-dress themed Enduro, which is described by organisers as “unconventi­onal”, is being staged in the area for a fifth consecutiv­e year.

The multi-stage race kicks off at 9.30am with a gentle procession­al ride through the streets of Perth, where more than 350 riders in varying states of fancy dress will head to the hills of Deuchney and Kinnoull to enjoy up to six timed stages on some of Scotland’s finest mountain bike trails.

The Fair City Enduro also makes for a spectacula­r spectator event with a particular action hot spot in Deuchney Bike Park.

After a podium ceremony, to finish the day off in true Fair City style it is now tradition for many of the riders to get cleaned up and hit the town for a night out after a hard day in the saddle.

Aaron Gray, of locallybas­ed firm Muckmedden Events, said: “Fair City Enduro brings hundreds of mountain bikers into Perth every October and creates such a buzz about the place. During race weekend it seems like every second car has a mountain bike strapped to its roof and as a local it’s great to see how much the event brings to the city.

“The Fair City Enduro has contribute­d hugely to the local economy since

The Fair City Enduro is coming back to Perth next month. Photo: Paddy Cuthbert the first event in 2013 and thanks to the continued support of Perth and Kinross Council and The Forestry Commission it is now regarded as one of the favourite Mountain Bike Enduros in the UK.

“It’s great for the flourishin­g mountain bike scene in this part of Scotland.

“Fair City Enduro attracts many top riders, including world class athletes, but our events are also known for being the ideal first step into Enduro Mountain Bike racing because we focus more on having fun than getting super quick race times.

“You know you can’t take things too seriously when you’re sitting on the start line next to a giant carrot!”

Anyone who would like to enter can do so at http://www.muckmedden. co.uk/our-events/fair-cityenduro

Tickets cost between £35-£45.

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