Start training now for a world-class cycling event in spring

MARIANNE TAYLOR

WHEN Charlie Milarvie first hit the roads in the late 1970s, cycling wasn’t the mainstream activity it is today. “People in Lycra were regarded as aliens from outer space,” he laughs. These days, however, Lycra is a familiar sight on Scotland’s roads as a new generation inspired by the likes of Sir Bradley Wiggins takes the sport from strength to strength at both grassroots and competitive level.

The popularity of the sport will have a further chance to soar in the spring thanks to the arrival of the Tour of Ayrshire, a prestigious race with world qualifying status. The Herald is the media partner of the event.

Hundreds of cyclists of all levels are expected to take part in the two elements of the Tour, a 20k (12.5 miles) Chrono time trial on Saturday April 29, and the Marmotte Ecosse the next day, which will see up to 5,000 riders taking on a challenging 137km (85 miles) course around East Ayrshire and is part of the pan-European Marmotte series of Gran Fondo events.

The routes – all on closed roads – were announced in The Herald earlier this week, with the time trial leaving from Kilmarnock and taking in Fenwick, Waterside and Moscow. The Marmotte Ecosse also starts and begins in Kilmarnock, and encourages riders to enjoy the varied scenery of East Ayrshire.

Milarvie, who designed the route for race organisers Galazo and has been riding in the area for almost 40 years, is confident it will inspire riders of all levels, from elite racers and experienced competitive riders to leisure cyclists looking for a new challenge.

So, how do you go about designing routes for such races, especially when the stakes are high (those finishing in the top 25 per cent of both, in each age and gender classification, will be invited to compete in the UCI World Championships in Albi, France, in August 2017)?

“Both courses have been designed with three things in mind,” explains Milarvie. “We want to give all the cyclists taking part a good day out on the bike, a real challenge and a chance to take in the environment. That’s what it’s all about, really.

“The Loudon Valley is one of the most beautiful and underrated parts of Scotland, and the cyclists will enjoy the undulating hills.

“You have to think about these things primarily from the perspective of a cyclist, but you also have to think about the planning and delivery of a big event like this, in terms of closing roads. That’s a heavyweight logistical exercise requiring consultations and management to deliver it effectively and safely.

“But we also need to think about it from the perspective of the spectators, who I hope will really get behind the event.”

So what can the cyclists expect? According to Milarvie both events that comprise the Tour of Ayrshire will be challenging. “Not many of the roads in East Ayrshire are flat, so you’ll either be working uphill or concentrating on going downhill, while at the same time taking in the beauty of the countryside.

“The contour of the roads is great and there is just so much to see. Riders will be moving to higher parts of East Ayrshire, into the former mining areas where there is less trees and foliage, then back to the lush areas lower down.

“But don’t let the moderate distance trap you into a false sense of security as the rolling nature of the roads, the grippy surfaces and the speed that people will be rising at will provide a real test. It’s a test worthy of the UCI status.”

The organisers hope the prestigious