F ORT W ILLIAM FAMILY C YCLING F ESTI vAL

Lochaber cycling clubs West Highland Wheelers and Fort William Foxes are excited to co-host a free-to-everyone family cycling festival on the weekend of 24-26th March. The local groups were approached by Event Scotland, Sport Scotland and the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships to host the event in the run-up to this year’s event in Scotland.

The aim of the festival is to create a day of community enjoyment within cycling and encourage participation of new and existing riders in biking adventures just in time for spring. On Friday 24th there will be a ‘Why I love cycling’ film contest, when the audience will be invited to vote for their first, second and third favourites, with prizes provided by local businesses.

The following day the fun continues at Caol Community Centre between 10am and 3pm, with stalls from local cycling shops, community organisations and clubs, with the chance to take part in various challenges or view demonstrations of mountain bikes, adaptive cycle bikes, ebikes and trikes. There will also be the opportunity to have a go on the Dirt Factory’s airbag, show off your stunt skills or buy new gear at the kit sale.

Alongside the cycling there will be music from Nevis Radio, fun inflatables and a bucking bronco, with a free evening ceilidh in the community centre featuring musicians ‘Wee Cal’ and Louden MacKay.

Bringing the weekend to a conclusion, local mountain bike clubs will be holding social rides around the area with all welcome to come along. Lochaber Trail Association will also be holding a ‘dig day’ where you can learn how to create, maintain and improve your local trails.

More information on the weekend can be found on the social media pages of West Highland Wheelers and Fort William Foxes, with leaflets also available and various local cycling businesses, as well as Lochaber Environmental Group. Posters will also be on display throughout the area with QR codes to give immediate access to information.