Cycling Hero Mark Beaumont Launches 17th Pedal for Scotland
World record breaking cyclist is joined by STV’s Sean Batty, cycling star Charline Joiner, and Capital FM’s Jennie Cook
World renowned adventurer Mark Beaumont officially launched the 17thPedal for Scotland today, having just recently completed his own Cairo to Cape Town ‘Africa Solo’ cycling challenge in world record breaking time.
Mark, a long term ambassador and champion of the event, will be encouraging thousands of other riders to complete their own cycling challenge at Scotland’s biggest bike event on 6thSeptember.
Mark was joined by the nations’s favourite weatherman, Sean Batty who is set to undertake his own Coast to Coast cycling challenge for the STV Children’s Appeal in just a few days. A veteran of Pedal for Scotland, Sean will also be saddling up to ride the Classic Challenge, raising money for the STV Children’s Appeal. Charline Joiner, Commonwealth medallist and Scottish cycling star, and Jennie Cook, Capital FM Presenter were also on hand to inspire riders to make Pedal for Scotland their challenge for 2015.
Pedal for Scotland, organised by Cycling Scotland and funded by Transport Scotland, offers a ride suitable for all ages and abilities. As well as the iconic 50 mile Glasgow to Edinburgh Classic Challenge, the event includes an epic 110 mile Big Belter ride for the more experience road cyclist, and several shorter Wee Jaunt rides in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen, ideal for families and first time riders.
The Classic Challenge ride takes participants on a scenic route between Glasgow and the capital city along a majority of closed roads, finishing in style at Murrayfield Stadium. There are plenty of rest stops along the way with a free lunch in the stunning grounds in Linlithgow Palace and some much welcomed home baking at Avonbridge.
Participants of Pedal for Scotland can also raise money for children and young people in Scotland affected by poverty by supporting the STV Children’s Appeal, who return as the official charity partner to the event for a third year. Last year participants raised over £110,000 for the Appeal, with this year’s total aiming to be even higher.
Mark Beaumont who has just returned from his Africa Solo cycling challenge said: “Pedal for Scotland is by far the biggest and most sociable ride of my year, I am really looking forwards to another great event. 2015 has seen me pedal the length of Africa, solo and unsupported for a new World Record, and now that I am back home to Scotland my aim is to encourage as many people as I can to get outside and get cycling this summer. Pedal for Scotland is the perfect event to get cycling fit for over the coming months.”
Capital FM Presenter Jennie Cook said: “I'm super excited about taking part in this year's event. Last year I had an unbelievable amount of fun and it was far easier than I thought it would be too. For those who cycle regularly, or for those who just fancy a fun challenge, you can't do better than riding your bike between Glasgow and Edinburgh with amazing cake stops along the way!”
Commonwealth Medallist and Scottish cycling athlete Charline Joiner said: "Over the past few years cycling in Scotland has gone from strength to strength and it's great to see events such as Pedal for Scotland taking place, especially for the 17th year running. Events like this are key to getting people of all ages and abilities involved in cycling whether it be for sport, leisure, to stay fit or have fun! I can't wait to be involved."
The Pedal for Scotland Classic Challenge ride, Big Belter and Edinburgh Wee Jaunt and Murrayfield Wee Jaunt will all be held on Sunday 6 September. The Glasgow Wee Jaunt take place the day before the main event, on 5 September and the Aberdeen Wee Jaunt will be hosted on 13 September.
ENDS
Entry is now open at www.pedalforscotland.org
STV Children’s Appeal fundraising packs can be downloaded from www.stv.tv/appeal.
For media information, please contact Katie Wright on 07423 436803, katiew@cyclingscotland.org
For media information, please contact Katie Wright on 07423 436803, katiew@cyclingscotland.org
1. Pedal for Scotland is organised by Cycling Scotland, the lead organisation for cycling promotion in Scotland. Cycling Scotland is the national cycle training, promotion, events and engineering organisation for Scotland. With grant funding from Transport Scotland we are working to establish cycling as an acceptable, attractive and practical lifestyle option. For more information please visit www.cyclingscotland.org . Cycling Scotland is a recognised Scottish Charity no. SC 029760.
2. Transport Scotland is the national transport agency for Scotland, delivering the Scottish Government's vision for transport. Find out more at www.transportscotland.gov.uk
3. The STV Children’s Appeal is committed to helping children and young people affected by poverty in Scotland. The STV Children’s Appeal works closely with Scotland's leading experts in the field of child poverty, sharing knowledge and expertise with both small community groups and national charities on their experiences of addressing the challenges of child poverty in Scotland. www.stv.tv/appeal
STV Appeal is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation, number SC042429.
4. Pedal for Scotland was established in 1999 as a way to encourage more people to cycle. Cycling 50 miles in a day demonstrates the considerable distances it is possible to achieve by bike, and encourages people to leave the car at home for short journeys.
5. Pedal for Scotland event is delivered in partnership with 8 local authorities and support services such as Police Scotland, Scottish Fire & Rescue Service, Scottish Ambulance Service and the St Andrews Ambulance Association.
6. Scottish Cycling
Based at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome in Glasgow, Scottish Cycling is the recognised national governing body for cycling in Scotland.
Scottish Cycling work across all six cycling disciplines: BMX, Mountain Bike, Cyclo-Cross, Road, Track and Cycle Speedway in 170 clubs throughout Scotland, with over 650 events across the disciplines providing lots of opportunities to participate.
From encouraging people to ride their bikes for the first time, to helping Scots compete on the international stage. Scottish Cycling also works in partnership with British Cycling to provide support across all levels of the sport in Scotland, as well as helping to nurture home-grown talent to compete at a world and Olympic level as part of a successful GB cycling team.
For more information please visit www.scottishcycling.org.uk
