Ideas to get you out & about

They say you never forget how to ride a bike, but I’m not so sure. Many of us had endless fun riding bikes when we were kids, but it’s an activity most have long since ignored. Not me, however. I’ve been cycling as an adult for a few years now having rediscovered the pleasures of pedalling, not to mention the amazing fitness benefits, too. I’ve even joined a local cycling club which provides organised rides for all ages and abilities. I really recommend it as great exercise and great fun, although it can be addictive. That’s why I’ll again be in Inverness tomorrow to see the cyclists in the Etape Loch Ness set off on their epic round-the-loch run. If you can come along, please do. I’m certain you’ll be inspired to get on your bike again, too.

LAP THE LOCH EtapE Loch NEss cycLE sportivE, Bught park, Bught road, iNvErNEss iv3 5sQ

• Thousands of cyclists tackle a 66-mile route round Loch Ness. Sun April 29 from 6.15am This event is now established as one of the best and most popular events in the cycling calendar. From 6.15am, some 5,000 cyclists will set off in timed waves from Inverness on a fabulous 66-mile closed-road route around Loch Ness. It takes in the wonderful scenery of the Great Glen but also includes a gruelling 4.8-mile hill climb out of Fort Augustus that tests everyone who takes part. It is an inspiring sight to see all the bikes, pedalled by people of all ages and sizes, setting off from Inverness if you can manage the early 6.15am start. If that’s too much to ask on a Sunday morning, saunter down to the finish line near Eden Court from 9am to cheer the participants home. The atmosphere at the Event Hub is truly marvellous.

PEDAL POWER iNvErNEss sciENcE FEstivaL FitNEss EvENt, EdEN court, iNvErNEss.

• Sat and Sun 9.30am until 2pm

This weekend sees the excellent Inverness Science Festival start its two-week run of family and school activities, including public lectures and exhibitions. Booking is essential for some events – full programme at the uhi.ac.uk/en/inverness-science-festival website – but over this special cycling weekend, scientists from the University of the Highlands will be at Eden Court focusing on the science behind exercise and organising drop-in tests to measure your own fitness, including bicycle challenges. See if you are up to cycling round the loch in next year’s Etape.

SNOW PROBLEM huNtLy Nordic aNd outdoor cENtrE, hiLL oF haugh, huNtLy aB54 4sh

• Cross-country ski-ing, tubing and mountain biking centre, Sat and Sun 9am until 5pm Huntly Nordic and Outdoor Centre is Britain’s only purpose-built all-weather facility for crosscountry ski-ing and rollerski-ing, providing tuition at all levels from novice upwards for recreational skiers. It’s set in lovely parkland beside the River Deveron so there’s plenty to keep the kids amused. Although there’s no snow, you can try ski-ing on the purpose-built all-weather tracks or go tubing on the downhill mat. They also offer mountain-bike bike hire to explore the local roads and forests. I was there last week and had brilliant fun so it’s well worth a visit.