The guys over at Muckmedden have announced their 2017 schedule, once again leaning towards fun, primarily, but as always, a strong family focus.
Classics such as the Funduros return to start and finish of the autumn, but the real news is that The Eliminator grows from a standalone event into a weekend festival much like Cream o’ the Croft. If you fancy some low pressure, super fun races, then Muckmedden has to be high on the list. Pete’s favourite, The Fair City Enduro returns to celebrate Halloween once more.
Eliminator.
The Eliminator which is held bi-annually at Parkhill Farm in Newburgh, Fife, returns this year as a weekend mountain bike festival (23-25 June), along the lines of the now bi-annual Cream O’ The Croft bike festival. It promises to be bigger and better than ever with the addition of family focused camping, kids bike racing, live music, a Fife farmers market, a beer festival and other fun attractions for all ages.
Another exciting addition to the festival is an invitation-only Cross Country Eliminator on the Friday evening. The tournament will see a selection of bike club riders from across the country battle it out in a series of elimination races on a short, action-packed cross country circuit that circles the event village. It promises to be a big hit with a festival crowd in full Friday night party mode!
Forfar Funduro.
Next on the 2017 line-up and returning for a fourth successive year is the Forfar Funduro on the 2 September. The headline race of the Angus Cycling Festival has gained a reputation amongst Scottish mountain bike riders as a must do event due to the progressive quarry trails, festival atmosphere and crowd-pleasing dual slalom stage into the event village. As part of the Angus Cycling Festival participants can also make a weekend of it and enjoy many other cycling and non-cycling activities, from stunt air bag sessions to circus skills workshops, family bike rides and live music.
Fair City Enduro.
The Fair City Enduro, which traditionally takes place in the City of Perth close to Halloween, takes place on 21 October. Now in its fifth year, the event regularly attracts up to 400 riders in varying states of fancy dress who ride through Perth City centre to tackle a number of timed stages on some of Scotland’s finest trails in the hills of Deuchney and Kinnoull. Muckmedden have kept riders guessing each year with several changes of venue and tweaks to the race format and this year is no different with some exciting plans lined up for this year’s event to keep things fresh and fun.
Falkirk Funduro.
Rounding off the year in style is the Falkirk Funduro, which features a whole day and night of mountain bike racing for riders of all ages and abilities, from toddlers to pro Enduro racers. The event takes place on 25 November on the fast-expanding Callendar Estate mountain bike trail network.
Thanks to the easy-going nature of the trails, a compact course and the venue’s easily accessible central belt location, this event has proven to be extremely popular with both first time Enduro racers and experienced riders and is the perfect event for the whole family to try their hand at Enduro racing.
Riders looking to add a touch of extra spice to the final race of the year also have the option to strap on their lights and race after dark!
Aaron Gray of Muckmedden Events, said: “2016 has been such an amazing year for us, with so many riders trying our events for the first time and keen to come back for more. We strive to put on great family-friendly events rather than just a bike race and the extra touches such as spectator focused stages, kid’s races and undercover seating areas seem to be appreciated by the riders and their families.
