How an invasion in high-end lycra boosts our town

When thousands of cyclists descend on a small town in the south of Scotland, locals say the town is overrun by athletes in "high end lycra".

For one weekend a year Gatehouse of Fleet plays host to The Gralloch gravel race, which has become a major attraction since in launched in 2023.

With about 3,000 cyclists expected to compete or try out the routes, they are expected to out-number local people three-to-one.

For the people who live and work there all year round it is a huge - and welcome - transformation of their normally peaceful place of residence.

Mike Blakeman runs local cycling project The Wheels of Fleet, and will see professional riders join its weekly Friday school bike "bus" to inspire the next generation.

"The Gralloch completely transforms Gatehouse of Fleet during the week of the event with thousands of cyclists descending on the town for the races, sportive or ultra race," he said.

"Many family members and visitors arrive to watch the excitement too.

"The town is unrecognisable over the week, with so many visiting cyclists and a pop-up campsite arriving just outside the town. There is such a buzz around the Gralloch."

He said that buzz extended beyond the weekend itself and boosted the economy all year round.

"The bigger impact, though, is the huge number of cyclists that now visit Gatehouse across the year to ride the famous world championship Gralloch course for themselves," he said.

According to Jonathan Henderson of The Ship Inn, the race has produced a similar year round draw to the Wigtown book festival in bringing people to a "remote corner of Scotland".

"Culturally we are now on the map for not just being a quaint conservation village and, in these tough times, have a better diversified income stream," he said.

"We have more cyclists in the first four months of the year than we used to ever see across the whole year."

At the Masonic Arms, Sofia Perez Liaño also welcomed the "positive impact" on business and the community.

"The event brings many visitors to the town, which is very good for local businesses including hotels, cafés, pubs and shops," she said.

"It also promotes healthy outdoor sport and gives Gatehouse great exposure across the UK and internationally.

"The atmosphere during the event is fantastic and many local people enjoy getting involved."

Elaine Thomson runs The Iron Brew cafe and said she loved the weekend.

"There's such a brilliant buzz about the place. Gatehouse and Galloway comes alive with energy, excitement and lots of smiling new faces," she said.

"Whether they're here chasing a podium finish or simply soaking up our stunning scenery, it's always a pleasure to welcome them.

"We love chatting with the athletes and support teams, sharing a few local tips and hearing where everyone has travelled from.

"The atmosphere during race weekends is something really special."

David McNicol retired a few years ago but has lived in Gatehouse for decades and has been involved with the race since year one.

"Our small rural town becomes the centre of UK cycling for two days, because of this we are now visited by cyclists all summer - great for business," he said.

"It also brings a good positive feel to the town and the younger - and older - residents are able to mingle with some of the top cyclists from Europe, which leaves a lasting impression on them.

"Yes, the weekend can be disruptive with such a large sudden influx of people but the benefits to local community groups offered by the influence of the organisers is good."

The operators, in turn, are delighted with the welcome they get in Galloway.

Maximilian Wussler, co-founder of event organiser Red On Sports, said there would be 47 different nations on the start line this year.

"That tells you what The Gralloch has become," he said.

"From Australia to Argentina, Iceland to Bhutan, riders are travelling from every part of the world to race in Galloway, and Scotland is being shown on a global stage it has earned."