Cycling celebration hits the road

A 16-day celebration of the bicycle is set to start in south west Scotland.

The Original Bicycle Festival will see a number of events held across Dumfries and Galloway which claims to be the birthplace of the pedal cycle.

The first pedal-driven bicycle is said to have been invented in the late 1830s by Kirkpatrick Macmillan, a blacksmith from Keir Mill, near Dumfries.

The event includes mountain bike and road cycling, coaching sessions and other cycling-themed activities.

The festival runs from 9 May to 24 May.

More than 50 separate events will take place during the festival which draws to a close with town centre races in Castle Douglas and Dumfries.

Among the attractions will be live displays by stunt biker Danny MacAskill and his team The Clan.

Councillor Ian Carruthers said: "I'm confident that thousands of people will participate in and enjoy our original and unique festival.

"It will be an excellent promotion for Dumfries and Galloway and encourage many people to dust off bikes in their garages and sheds and join in the fun and freedom of cycling."

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