Moray gears up for 900 cyclists this weekend

UPWARDS of 900 cyclists will be setting off from Elgin and Forres this weekend during Ride the North.

The mass participation 170-mile event has grown spectacularly since just 30 people took part in the very first one in 2011.

Organiser Neil Innes said: "Never in my wildest dreams did I expect it to become so massively popular.

"I used to take part in an event called Peddle Scotland which goes between Glasgow and Edinburgh.

"I remember coming back up to the north-east afterwards and thinking how brilliant it would be if we had a similar event. After all, we’ve got nicer scenery than the Central Belt.

"But it’s grown and grown and we have fantastic support from local firms like Walkers."

Cyclists will be coming into the towns during Saturday and setting off again early on Sunday morning.

Describing hotel rooms as becoming like "gold dust" over the course of the weekend, Neil added that he had organised transport to take participants to Lossiemouth, Rothes and Hopeman,

Amongst the participants is Richard Lochhead.

The MSP said: "Ride the North will bring nearly a 1000 people to see our wonderful landscape.

"It will be a big personal challenge given the miles involved but it’s not a race.

"What makes it extra special is that local communities host the event and provide feeding stations.

"Volunteers will be out in force at halls in Rafford, Clochan and Edinvillie over the two days and they always put on a great spread."

Ride the North has two alternative routes.

The bulk of the cyclists will be setting off from Cooper Park in Elgin and from Grant Park in Forres at about 9am on Sunday.