With just a few days left until the 10th anniversary of Poppyscotland’s popular Sportive, supporters are being urged to sign up today and get on their bikes in aid of the Armed Forces charity.
Taking place on Sunday, September 21, 2025, the Sportive features four routes designed for different ability levels. It is split into two distinct types – the Classic (46, 68 and 102 miles) and the Wee Yin (22 miles).
As in previous years, riders will start in Prestonpans, East Lothian, before following the coastal route to North Berwick and beyond. Classic routes include a timed hill climb and feed stations, with distances ranging from 46 to 102 miles, while the Wee Yin (22 miles) offers a flatter, family-friendly ride through Gullane and Aberlady before returning to the coast. All routes finish in Prestonpans.
The event wouldn’t be possible without the support of the charity’s many volunteers who staff the various stations throughout the routes, or its sponsors, including Leith Cycles, based on Leith Walk, Edinburgh, who have been a staple supporter throughout the event’s history.
Sportive organiser Richard Todd said: “We are extremely grateful to the team at Leith Cycles for their support with our Sportive event each year, ensuring that they are on hand at pit stops throughout each route to assist with any minor bike faults.
“As a small token of our appreciation, we recently presented owner Richard Dowsett with a framed Poppyscotland memorabilia jersey marking 100 years of the Scottish poppy.”
Richard Dowsett, owner of Leith Cycles, said it was a pleasure and privilege to support Poppyscotland over the years. He added: “We are a small, independent business and we are delighted to help once again by providing both manpower and the necessary tools or equipment that may be needed for any bicycle issue on the day.
“Just being there to help cyclists with any issues they may have is imperative so that participants can complete their Sportive route safely.
We really enjoy being a part of the Sportive and we continue to help, knowing what a fabulous charity Poppyscotland is in supporting our country’s Armed Forces community.”
Entry for the Classic routes is £40 per rider (minimum age: 16). The Wee Yin route is £25 per rider or £40 per family (2 adults and 2 children). The minimum age is 12, and entry is free for riders under 16.
Entry includes electronic timing, mechanical support, food and water stations, coffee at the start, tea and toast at the finish, the ‘King and Queen of The Heugh’ timed hill climb, sweeper service, and a finisher’s gift.
To sign up, visit poppyscotland.org.uk/sportive
