This year is shaping up to be one of the most exciting yet for road cycling in the south of Scotland. Along with the launch of the Kirkpatrick C2C, South of Scotland’s Coast to Coast in the summer, Dumfries & Galloway will play host to the Para-Cycling Road event at the prestigious 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships. And on 3 September, the tenth edition of Tour O The Borders will take place across the Scottish Borders and Dumfries & Galloway for the very first time with a brand-new 120km long route.
Tour O The Borders are marking this special year of cycling by offering 25% off entries to all residents from the south of Scotland until 17 April. So, if you’re lucky enough to live in the Scottish Borders or Dumfries & Galloway, you will get to enjoy beautiful, closed-roads for less than £60.
This year’s course promises to be Scotland’s most spectacular sportive yet, says Event Director, Neil Dalgleish: “The south of Scotland has miles and miles of quiet roads and dramatic views – as road cyclists we’re spoiled for choice. We want to give riders a day to remember on the bike and this year’s course is an absolute cracker.”
The new 120km route will take riders through some truly incredible landscapes in the wilds of the upper Tweed basin, passing the source of the River Tweed and legendary views of the Devil’s Beeftub. The route then descends to Moffat before passing through one of the country’s most stunning landscapes: the famous glacial valley of Moffat Water. Riders can expect wild glens, a view of the famous Grey Mare’s Tail waterfall and some stiff climbs.
This is the first time the event has visited Dumfries & Galloway, and the climb back into the Scottish Borders region will be rewarded with a long and lovely descent to the Glen Café and the banks of St Mary’s Loch. Shortly after, the course rejoins the traditional Tour O The Borders route up Paddy Slacks and over the pass to Traquair, before heading west back to a lively event village in the town of Peebles.
This year’s shorter route remains unchanged for 2023, which will please many of Touro’s returning riders. Wall of Talla fans can rest assured – along with Megget, the classic climb is still the centrepiece to the stunning 88km Challenge loop.
“We’re so pleased to be able to use a new route for a special edition in 2023,” says Neil. “Massive thanks to both Scottish Borders Council and Dumfries and Galloway Council for their co-operation and to the south of Scotland communities and businesses who have supported us over the years.”
Sign up below using the code SOUTH25 – you’ll be asked for your postcode on the entry form. Offer ends 17 April.
Tour O The Borders takes place on Sunday 3 September 2023.
For full details of both routes and entries visit:
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