Tag: Sportive

Cyclists encouraged to Sign Up for 10th year of popular Sportive

Cyclists are being urged to saddle up and support Poppyscotland’s upcoming Sportive, as the charity celebrates 10 years of the popular event.

Not only is this the tenth anniversary, but the Wee Yin route will also become a permanent feature after a successful trial of the scenic course in 2024.

The Sportive is Poppyscotland’s flagship fundraising cycling event, featuring 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 line up at the starting point in Prestonpans, East Lothian, then head along the historic coastal route to North Berwick where Classic route participants will face a timed hill climb before reaching the first feed station at East Linton.

From there, the short route continues to Gifford while medium and long routes head towards Garvel before splitting at Whiteadder Reservoir, with the longer challenge heading to Duns and medium returning to Gifford. All routes finish in Musselburgh.

The Wee Yin route will take cyclists inland to Gullane before heading back towards Aberlady and then on to the coastal path. 

Poppyscotland’s Head of Fundraising and Learning, Gordon Michie, is encouraging both individuals and families to take part in this year’s Sportive, and said: “2025 marks the 10th anniversary of this event, and we have been working so hard to create something really special for all of our riders.

“With the Wee Yin route proving so popular last year we are delighted to be able to bring it back on a permanent basis, opening up the Sportive to even more participants who may want to take part. The Wee Yin is perfect for those leisure cyclists and families too.

“Please sign up today and be a part in one of the best cycle rides in Scotland with amazing scenery, all while supporting our Armed Forces veterans and their families.”

Avid cyclist Ally Mallinson took part in last year’s trial run of the Wee Yin route and encouraged his daughter, Amy, to partake in it also. Ally highly recommends it to others. He said: “It’s a great idea and it would be good to see more families out doing it as that’s what it’s all about.

“The Wee Yin route is a good way of staying fit, healthy and raising money for a great cause and it’s a good family activity. Cycling on roads is safer than many people think and if you follow the highway code, cycle properly, you should not have an issue.

“I’ll be back this year with Amy and my son!”

Gordon added: “We’re really excited to celebrate the 10th edition of the Sportive and our goal is to raise as much as possible to support the Armed Forces community at times of need, including help with housing, debt, mental health, and mobility.

“If you’d like to help us make an even bigger impact, please consider adding a £10 donation per rider. It’s a small gesture that can make a big difference!”

Entry for our Classic routes is £40 per rider (minimum age: 16). The Wee Yin route is £25 per rider or £40 per family (2 adults & 2 children). 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 & Toast at the finish; ‘King and Queen of The Heugh’ timed hill climb; sweeper service and a finishers gift.

To sign up today, please visit poppyscotland.org.uk/sportive

Two’s company for visually-impaired Edinburgh and Lothian cyclists

Lothian tandem riders are gearing up for Poppyscotland’s popular Sportive event, proving visual impairment is no barrier to cycling.

Edinburgh-based Vie Velo cycling club pairs sighted “pilots” with blind and visually-impaired riders for regular social bike rides.

Now 30 group members have challenged themselves to complete the Sportive on Sunday 25th September, cycling up to 68 miles on routes through East Lothian and the Scottish Borders.

They will join around 1000 cyclists at the event, which is Poppyscotland’s biggest fundraiser outside the Scottish Poppy Appeal. Now in its seventh year, it has already raised more than £250,000 to support the Armed Forces community in Scotland.

This year’s Sportive aims to be the most inclusive ever, opening up the route to tandems and e-bike users.

Ken Reid, 63, from North Berwick, chair of Vie Velo, took up tandem riding in 1990 when he found his eyesight deteriorating due to retinitis pigmentosa, a progressive condition.

He helped set up the club in 2019 with the support of Cycling UK and grants from RS MacDonald Charitable Trust and Transport Scotland.

They now have almost 90 members, with around one third affected by visual impairment, and meet at Saughton Park for bike rides at least twice a month.

Ken said: “We were looking for a challenge for our group and were keen to support Poppyscotland. We felt there was a close connection since many veterans in Scotland are affected by sight loss.

“I kept cycling solo as long as I could when I realised I was losing my sight. But then I decided to buy a tandem and found a group of mates who would take turns to go out with me.

“We were delighted to be able to set up the club to get more blind and partially-sighted people engaged in cycling. We’d like more people to know about us and be aware they have the option of getting back on a bike again.

“The most important thing in tandem riding is trust. You have to place all your trust in the pilot, and that can be a big change if you’re used to having control. But it’s also great fun and very sociable – we’re not racers and all our weekend rides include stops for coffee and cake!”

The Sportive, sponsored by Fred.Olson Renewables, will start and finish at Prestonpans Community Centre. Entrants can choose between three routes of different lengths, taking in stunning coastal and country roads. The most challenging 102-mile route covers the Lammermuirs, before dipping down to Chirnside and Duns in the Scottish Borders.

Gordon Michie, Poppyscotland’s Head of Fundraising and Learning, said: “We’re very pleased to welcome the riders from Vie Velo, and very grateful for their support. They are truly inspirational and really do show that cycling can be for everyone, regardless of age or ability.

“We’re excited that the Sportive is returning to East Lothian and the Borders after a two-year break. This year’s event aims to be the most inclusive ever, and we’re encouraging riders of all abilities to take part, whether on a traditional bike, an e-bike or a tandem.

“The Sportive is always very popular, but there’s still time to join in, get fit, and raise funds for a great cause Participants can choose between three routes, taking in stunning coastal views and country roads, with a timed hill climb to challenge the most experienced cyclists.

“We’d like to thank Fred. Olson Renewables for continuing to sponsor us this year. This means 100 per cent of the sign-up fee and any sponsorship raised will go towards providing vital welfare support to veterans, servicemen and women and their families across Scotland.”

The Sportive is an “open road” cycling event, meaning that no roads will be closed in order to minimise disruption to the public. Riders can have a free place if they are supporting a cyclist with a disability.

Cyclists can register at Prestonpans Community Centre on Saturday 24th September between 2pm and 6pm, or on Sunday 25th from 6:30am to 8:30am. 

For more information, visit www.poppyscotland.org.uk/sportive

Veterans urge cyclists to get on their bikes to support Poppyscotland

A FORMER Royal Artilleryman, who cycled 855 miles for Poppyscotland, has got back on his bike to launch the charity’s Sportive event.

Billy Morrison, 57, from Musselburgh, is urging cyclists of all ages and abilities to join the 7th annual cycling event throughout East Lothian and the Scottish Borders.

He joined former comrade, Jack Regan, 54, from Tranent, to launch the Sportive, Poppyscotland’s biggest fundraiser outside of the Poppy Appeal. Returning after a two-year break, it has already raised more than £250,000 to support current and former members of the Armed Forces and their families across the country.

Around 1000 cyclists are expected to take part in the event on Sunday 25th September, sponsored by Fred. Olson Renewables.

Starting and finishing at Prestonpans Community Centre, three routes ranging from 45 to 102 miles will take in the stunning coastal road to North Berwick then loop round the East Lothian countryside. More adventurous riders will cycle over the Lammermuirs, dipping down to Chirnside and Duns in the Scottish Borders. 

Billy, who served in the first Gulf War and Afghanistan and now works as a Tesco delivery driver, has already raised an incredible £10,000 for Poppyscotland as part of his 1921 Poppy Pledge.

He cycled the distance of Land’s End to John O’Groats around East Lothian and on a static bike in the Musselburgh Tesco store in the run-up to Remembrance Sunday last year.

He said: “I’d encourage cyclists of all ages and abilities to join in, get fit, and raise funds for a great cause. I’ve been very lucky myself, but I see this as a way to give back to former colleagues.

“Whenever I needed a bit of help, someone always stepped up for me. That’s something I’ll always recognise, and I want to make sure that everyone else who has served can get the help they need.”

Jack, who served alongside Billy in Iraq and recently retired as a Scottish Power linesman, added: “This is a fantastic day out, as well as a way to show our support to former servicemen and women and their families.

“Veterans can be very reluctant to ask for help, but we want to get the message out that it’s only a phone call away.”

Gordon Michie, Poppyscotland’s Head of Fundraising and Learning, said: “We’re very excited that the Sportive is returning to East Lothian and the Borders after a two-year break. It’s always a sell-out event, so we are encouraging cyclists to sign up as soon as possible.

“We keep numbers low to avoid the need for road closures, and the intimate and friendly feel of the event is one of its attractions. The route takes in stunning coastal views and country roads, while the timed hill climb will challenge more experienced cyclists.

“We’re incredibly grateful to Fred. Olson Renewables for continuing to sponsor us this year. This means 100 per cent of the sign-up fee and any sponsorship raised will go directly to our work supporting Scotland’s Armed Forces community.

“We’ve already raised more than a quarter of a million pounds to provide vital welfare support to families across Scotland, from help with housing and employment to mental and physical health issues.”

The Sportive is an “open road” cycling event, meaning that no roads will be closed in order to minimise disruption to the public.

Participants on e-bikes and tandems are welcome to take part, while riders can have a free place if they are supporting a cyclist with a disability.

For more information or to register, visit www.poppyscotland.org.uk/sportive

From one Poppy ride of a lifetime to another for Sportive royalty!

They overcame hundreds of fellow riders to be crowned the King and Queen of the Heugh at last year’s epic Poppyscotland Sportive, and now the two cycling stars have enjoyed the fruits of their success. The pair have received a truly unique, money-can’t-buy prize: a day with the Queen’s Pony! Continue reading From one Poppy ride of a lifetime to another for Sportive royalty!

Get on your bike for Poppyscotland

SOLDIERS GET ON THEIR BIKES TO LAUNCH POPPYSCOTLAND SPORTIVE

One of Scotland’s top cycling events, which raised almost £50,000 for Scotland’s leading Armed Forces charity in 2017, returns for a fifth year – and is even bigger and better. The Poppyscotland Sportive, which was launched in 2014 and voted one of the top three Sportives in Scotland last year by Sportive.com, gives riders a choice of three routes to suit a variety of levels of experience and fitness. Continue reading Get on your bike for Poppyscotland

Soldiers get on their bikes to launch Poppyscotland Sportive

Soldiers from 2 SCOTS were ready to ride them on the beaches as they get on their bikes in East Lothian to help launch the 2018 Poppyscotland Sportive. The annual mass participation cycling event later this year aims to raise funds for the leading Armed Forces charity and takes place in and around the county. Continue reading Soldiers get on their bikes to launch Poppyscotland Sportive

Sportive cycling event raises thousands for Poppyscotland

Almost 900 riders took to the streets and hills of East Lothian yesterday as part of the annual Sportive cycling event and helped to raise tens of thousands of pounds for Scotland’s leading Armed Forces charity. Poppyscotland’s Sportive is one of the most important awareness-raising and fundraising events in the charity’s calendar and has grown steadily in popularity since the first Sportive in 2014. Continue reading Sportive cycling event raises thousands for Poppyscotland