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Banffshire Cycle Challenge back on the road


By Kyle Ritchie

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The Banffshire Cycle Challenge returns to Banff on Sunday following a year off.

Cyclists will set off from the Deveron Community and Sports Centre and have a choice of three routes to take on.

Organised by the Rotary Club of Banff, supported by Banff Round Table and The Inner Wheel Club of Banff, the event is in its eighth year after it was postponed in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

It is designed to encourage participation by cyclists of all ages and abilities from first timers to experienced riders.

The last challenge was held in 2019 when thousands of pounds were raised for charity.

The Banffshire Cycle Challenge will set off from the Whinhill Road car park at the Deveron Community Sports Centre in Banff.
The Banffshire Cycle Challenge will set off from the Whinhill Road car park at the Deveron Community Sports Centre in Banff.

A Rotary club spokesman said: "The Banff Rotary Club has a long history of organising local charity events such as the Vintage and Classic Car Day, as well as assisting with other events, and we wanted to promote an activity which is growing in popularity, is fun, enhances achievement and engenders well-being.

"The longer route for those seeking a challenge is 25.5 miles, the intermediate route is eight miles and the short route designed for those with restricted abilities, families and younger children is approximately four miles.

"All the routes go through areas of picturesque rural scenery with stunning views of the Banffshire countryside.

"The routes follow tarred roads, with the longer route suitable for both high-performance racing bikes and mountain bikes. However, the event is designed as a challenge, not a race."

The event has been organised to raise funds for Rotary supported charities, local organisations and local youth sport development.

There is also an opportunity for groups to raise money for their own organisations via sponsorship with them getting back at least 75 per cent of the sponsorship raised.

All three cycle routes will start from the Whinhill Road car park at the Deveron Community and Sports Centre at 10am on Sunday. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Participants should not assemble too far ahead of the start time at the start/finish area at Whinhill Road. All cyclists must register prior to participating in the challenge and must comply with the safety guidance.

Registration can be completed in advance for each individual either online on the registration page at banffshirecc.weebly.com/online-registration-2021.html

Participants can also download the registration form and post it to Banff Rotary Club, c/o Macduff Dental, 52 Duff Street, Macduff AB44 1LQ or email to banffshirecyclechallenge@gmail.com

Online registration closes at 6pm on Saturday. People can also register in person on the day of the cycle challenge with registration facilities open from 9am.

Group registration can be done by downloading the form at banffshirecc.weebly.com/taking-part.html

All those taking part are encouraged to raise as much sponsorship money as possible. Sponsorship forms for individuals and families can also be downloaded on the taking part webpage.

It is recommended that sponsorship funds are handed in to the registration facilities on the day of the cycle challenge, if possible.

Otherwise, sponsorship monies should be submitted as soon as possible after the cycle challenge to the address shown on the downloadable entrance form.

For those not raising sponsorship a voluntary donation of £10 per head is suggested for participation in the event. Children under 16 do not need to make a donation.

Those individuals or families who raise more than £25 of sponsorship, and hand the money in on the day, will not be expected to make a £10 voluntary donation.

Recognised groups and organisations can take part in the cycle challenge as a way of raising money for their own funds.

Free entry will be offered for the group members if more than £100 in sponsorship is raised. At least 75 per cent of this sponsorship will be returned to the group or organisation. Sponsorship forms for groups can be downloaded on the taking part webpage.

​There is no time limit to complete either route but marshalling, support services, medical cover and start/finish area facilities will not remain in place beyond 1.30pm on the day of the event.

The challenge is supported by Cycling Scotland and local sponsors.

Additional information for participants can be found at banffshirecc.weebly.com


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