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In pictures: Scotland's snowy 24-hour mountain bike race

News imagePaul Campbell A mountain biker dressed in red skids in deep snow during the Puffer. It is bright daylight in an area of woodland and the cyclist is watched by a younger competitor behind him.Paul Campbell
The weekend's Strathpuffer was held in forestry near Strathpeffer in the Highlands.

Deep snow brought an added challenge to the weekend's gruelling Strathpuffer 24-hour mountain bike race.

The event near Strathpeffer in the Highlands involves laps of an eight mile (12.5km) route.

Cyclists compete solo, in pairs or teams of four and about 17 hours of the competition is held in darkness.

Photographer Paul Campbell captured some of the action in Contin Forest.

News imagePaul Campbell Cyclists wearing helmets, protective glasses and colourful cycling jackets run on snow between rows of bikes and cheered on by other cyclists.Paul Campbell
The race is competed by solo cyclists, pairs and teams of four.
News imagePaul Campbell A female cyclist wearing a silver cycling helmet, pink rimmed glasses, turquoise long-sleeved top and colourful leggings cycles through snow in bright daylight. The cyclist is smiling. Paul Campbell
The Puffer was held on deep snow following several days of snowfall in the Highlands.

Inverness athlete Kyle Beattie was winner overall, while South Uist-based Kerry MacPhee won the women's title.

The Puffer was started in 2005 but disrupted by the Covid pandemic.

It was resumed in January 2023 after a break of two years.

News imagePaul Campbell A mountain biker wearing a white helmet, reflective glasses, light green jacket and black waterproof trousers rides through a snow-covered area of long grass. Behind them is another cyclist wearing a bright yellow helmet, blue jacket and black waterproof trousers.Paul Campbell
The race has been held since 2005.
News imagePaul Campbell Kyle Beattie is wearing a black and red helmet, orange and black cycling top and black cycling leggings. He is lifting the front wheel of his orange bike while performing a wheelie.Paul Campbell
Inverness athlete Kyle Beattie was overall winner.
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