10 ways to celebrate the power of the bike

 The Tweed Valley prides itself on being a world-class cycling destination, with an enviable selection of downhill, cross-country, road and gravel trails to cater for all. As the area prepares to welcome the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships, here are 10 ways that visitors and locals can celebrate the Power of the Bike this summer season.

 1. the biggest cycling event ever  

All eyes turn to the Tweed Valley between 6 and 12 August as Glentress Forest plays host to the greatest mountain bike cross-country riders in the world. Over the course of a thrilling week, these world-class athletes will battle it out for prestigious rainbow jerseys in disciplines including the Olympic Mountain Bike Cross-Country and an epic Mountain Bike Cross-Country Marathon. Energy levels will be high, the racing intense … and the atmosphere second to none. Book your tickets now to be part of something truly special.

 2. world champs Fringe fun

When you’re ready to take a breather from the race action, a carefully curated programme of fringe events will ensure you have some downtime to enjoy everything else that this biking valley has to offer. Look out for volunteer trail dig days, inspiring talks with leaders from the cycling world at the Eastgate Theatre and a free Borders Bike Fest for kids on Tweed Green, Peebles. Further down the valley, Adrenalin Uplift’s Worlds’ Weekender promises an action-packed weekend of riding, music, bike demos and festival vibes at Innerleithen trailhead.

 3. retail therapy

Is there such a thing as too many bikes? Not around these parts! Whether you’re looking to celebrate the power of the bike with a new set of wheels or just looking to get your existing steed ready for the trails or road, there are no shortage of first-class bike shops in the Tweed Valley. Offering expertise on new purchases, maintenance and repairs – along with insider knowledge on all the trails and routes – our local bike shop owners are among the best in the business.

 4. Fine-tune your riding

If there was ever a time to hone your riding skills or be inspired to learn some of the basics, it is now. The UCI Cycling World Champs will hopefully act as a catalyst for transformative change in the way we view and use bikes in Scotland – and having confidence in the saddle is a good way to start. From beginner to expert, the Tweed Valley is packed with industry-leading coaches, all on hand to keep your riding on track. Whether you’re looking to nail those jumps or just get your little ones used to life on two wheels, check out our wealth of instructor-led sessions and courses.

 5. Discover a new favourite

It’s difficult to get in a cycling rut in the Tweed Valley. Whether you’re a gravel explorer, a downhill demon or just cross-country curious, you are never far from a fresh biking adventure in the local hills and forests. But with so much to choose from, sometimes it’s just about knowing where to start. Thankfully, the valley is home to some of the finest, friendliest bike guides you’ll come across, all eager to show you their favourite secret spots or techiest trails. And if you’d prefer to head out on your own steam, we have a fabulous selection of routes and rides to inspire you on our dedicated biking pages.

 6. Cycle to work, cycle everywhere

At the UN climate change conference in Glasgow in 2021 (COP26), the bike was hailed as a powerful tool in the fight against climate change. At Go Tweed Valley, we are passionate about active travel and agree that promoting cycling will have a significant impact on the health of Scotland’s people, as well as the environment. We are thrilled that much of the area is connected by a safe (and beautiful) network of off-road routes and multi-use pathways and encourage you to ditch the car and explore, commute or sight-see on two wheels this summer (and beyond).

 7. Explore by E-Bike

We understand that not everyone has the fitness or confidence to disappear into the wilder reaches of the valley by bike. But we see E-Bikes as a great enabler, offering an accessible way for most to spend a day exploring at their own pace. There are a handful of trusted E-Bike hire businesses in the area – and a selection of loops in and around the valley for you to enjoy in our 8 Easy Routes Guide. And look out for more challenging, faster trails to put your E-Bike through its paces at the TweedLove Electric Weekend supported by Bosch at Traquair this August! Keep an eye out too for details of an upcoming competition to win a day’s E-Bike hire …

 8. Get some air!

Want to hang out with the cool kids? Then head to Cardrona pumptrack. Although the valley is famous for its mountain biking and road cycling scenes, there are plenty taking to the air at this small, purpose-built track. It’s perfectly positioned on the Tweed Valley Railway Path, in the heart of Cardrona, and well worth a stop if you have little ones (or energetic big ones) in tow. A new skatepark in Victoria Park (Peebles) is also home to the BMX crowd too – and if looking for similar on a larger scale, head along to Hawick for some seriously good fun on the jumps.

 9. Scotland’s most beautiful sportive

For those with a love of skinnier tyres, this year’s Tour O The Borders promises to be something a bit special. To celebrate the tenth edition of this closed-road sportive, riders will be taken deep into the wilds of southern Scotland on a brand new 120km course – expect epic climbs, and some pretty spectacular descents. The Devil’s Beeftub, Grey Mare’s Tail and St Mary’s Loch all feature on the new course, with the legendary Wall of Talla still the centrepiece to the classic 88km route. A big day out and an all-round celebration of cycling (and pies) guaranteed.

 10. Refuel and recharge

Surely the highlight of any two-wheeled adventure is a well-earned bite to eat. And so you’ll be glad to hear that keeping riders refuelled and refreshed is something we do particularly well around here. There’s an abundance of coffee shops, restaurants, bars, take-aways and hotels that are happy to welcome cyclists – all serving hearty, locally-produced nosh that will keep the legs spinning. Along with our shops, attractions and bike-specific businesses, these eateries and pubs are as key to the cycling community in the Tweed Valley as the riders themselves, and deserve to be celebrated this summer.

Further info

Looking to take your biking adventure to the next level? Check out some of the bikepacking routes that traverse the Tweed Valley, including the challenging Capital Trail established by our friends at Bikepacking Scotland. For more local routes off the beaten track, the WeLoveMountains site features an array of interesting and lesser-known tracks and trails for those with an adventurous spirit.

Photo credits: Ian Linton; UCI Cycling World Championships; Tweed Valley Trails Association; Alpine Bikes Glentress; Ridelines; Forestry & Land Scotland; Blair Kemp.