Cyclists take on stunning ride round the mountains

etape: Huge turnout for annual sporting spectacular through stunning Perthshire scenery

Thousands of cyclists conquered the biggest-ever Etape Caledonia yesterday.

The mass-participation event, now in its 12th year, was extended to give riders the chance to pedal through 85 miles of spectacular Highland Perthshire scenery.

The new-look circuit was completed in an impressive time of 3 hours, 40 minutes and 14 seconds by Milton Keynes cyclist Jeremy Honor.

Around 4,500 cyclists took part in yesterday’s event, spurred on by new event ambassador and round-the-world cyclist Mark Beaumont.

The record-breaker, who grew up in the area, told crowds at Pitlochry: “It’s great to come back here and support an amazing event like this.”

He said: “These are the roads that I first cycled at the age of 12 and this was my training ground for taking on the world in 80 days.

“I am proud to see thousands of riders from all over the world descending on Pitlochry to take on this stunning route.

“It’s a cracking event and I’d like to say well done to the organisers.”

Cyclists arrived in the area on Saturday for a day of preparations and talks.

The first wave of riders left for the 85-mile course – described by organisers as a “cyclist’s dream” – at 6.30am yesterday.

The route, beginning and ending in Pitlochry, took them past rolling hills and forest-lined roads around Loch Ran noch, Loch Tum me land a demanding, twisting climb of Schiehallion.

The new four-mile extension saw riders head towards Trinafour with a challenging ascent of 1,227ft, before going back towards Kinloch Rannoch.

For the first time, there was also a shorter 40-mile tour through Tummel Bridge, Coshieville and Aberfeldy.

Thousands gathered before and after at a specially-installed rider’s village in the centre of Pitlochry, providing a welcome boost for shops and businesses.

The other major beneficiary was Marie Curie, the official fundraising partner for which many of the cyclists were taking part.

Over the years, Etape has made more than £1.5 million for the cause. Organisers IMG are now working on plans for an even bigger course. They want to extend it to at least 100 miles to attract some of the world’s elite cyclists.

Emergency services said the event passed without incident.

Picture: Gareth Jennings. And they’re off! The cyclists start their gruelling 85-mile circuit through Perthshire.

Picture: Gareth Jennings. Full concentration was the order of the day as this cyclist prepared to fire into action.

Picture: Gareth Jennings. Time for a quick rest before the big event gets under way.