Get on the wheel of The Flying Scotsman, Graeme Obree at the 2015 Flying Scotsman Sportive.

This years sportive will be on Sunday, 21st June 2105, with the event start & finish at Loudoun Academy, Galston. The Flying Scotsman Sportive offers a great ride with plenty variation in scenery and contour as the routes wind across East Ayrshire and South Lanarkshire on rural roads. The typography is challenging and the scenery beautiful - all you will need is a decent bike and decent condition to be sure you can complete this challenging sportive.

Anyone who has followed Graeme Obree and is familiar with his biography 'The Flying Scotsman' will be aware of the history of 'The Valley' with Galston, Newmills and Darvel prominent during Graeme's early transition from leisure cyclist to become a Scottish, British then World Champion cyclist. The routes follow his favourite local roads, roads which take riders from the floor of the valley up steep climbs to crest the Ayrshire hills. There are two routes, Old Faithful a 44 mile route and perhaps aptly named, The Beastie - which takes in 78 miles of scenic roads across East Ayrshire and South Lanrakshire.

The routes are on the following links.

Old Faithful - http://ridewithgps.com/routes/3916781

The Beastie - http://ridewithgps.com/routes/3916837

Both routes have been designed by Graeme and travel across roads he knows intimately and has cycled and trained on since he was first introduced to cycling. Both routes are challenging with short but demanding climbs and steep descents. Participants are advised to be well prepared and bikes will need to be in tip top condition. With good preparation The Flying Scotsman Sportive offers a challenging but beautiful ride.Graeme will lead the ride and be on hand to offer encouragement to all.

Info for Riders

Both routes have been personally selected by The Flying Scotsman, Graeme Obree to present a challenging sportive and utilise rural roads avoiding main highways where possible. The Flying Scotsman Sportive will be headquartered at Loudoun Academy, Glasgow Road, Galston. The H/Q will host reception, toilets and changing facilites. Limited parking is available at Loudoun Academy with additional parking available close by in Galston. Event start times will be between 0900 and 0930 on Sunday, 21st June 2015. Cyclists participating will be supported with assistance from Police Scotland to manage the transition across main highways (A71), British Red Cross, electronic timing, comprehensive event signage, marshals on all main junctions, food stops, mechanical support and a broom wagon. The routes are available on line on the following links.