Temporary street furniture outside the Concert Hall in Perth
Some of you may be wondering about the street furniture that has suddenly appeared outside the Concert Hall in Perth. It has been placed there temporarily until the end of March by an organisation called COMoUK who promote shared travel. You can find out more about the events taking place during the Perth placement HERE.
Mark Wedgewood Talks - From Boring to Dull
Communications Officer
Royal Scottish Geographical Society
Long Term Closure of Route 83 between Guay and Kindallachan
Volunteers sought for ETAPE 2026
As plans continue for ETAPE 2026, taking place on Sunday 10th May 2026, we wanted to reach out to local groups and organisations to invite your groups to volunteer on the event.
ETAPE relies heavily on volunteers to operate safely and successfully, and we welcome both individual volunteers and organised groups such as clubs, youth organisations, charities, and community groups. A range of roles are available, including helping at feed stations on the route, handing out medals at the finish, and assisting with pack collection the day before the event. All roles are fully briefed and supported.
For group volunteers, we offer a £40 per person contribution, which many organisations use as a simple and effective fundraising opportunity. Individual volunteers are offered a free place at ETAPE 2027 or another Motiv Sports event, which can also be passed on to a friend or family member if preferred.
We are also proud that ETAPE is supported by Cancer Research UK as its main charity, helping to fund vital research that impacts so many families and communities across the UK. By volunteering, groups and individuals are directly contributing to this wider charitable impact.
At this stage, we are simply inviting expressions of interest. Completing the form does not commit anyone to specific roles or times, and full details will be shared much closer to the event.
Register your interest using the form below or drop me an email:
https://www.etapecaledonia.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss involvement in a way that best suits your group or community, please don’t hesitate to get in touch at volunteers@motivsports.com.
We would also be grateful if you felt able to share this opportunity within your organisation or networks, should it feel appropriate to do so – if you need any additional information for this or some imagery etc to include place reach out to me.
Thank you for taking the time to read this, and for the continued support.
NANCY BAXENDALE
WORKFORCE MANAGER – 07933 390293
MOTIVSPORTS.COM /// TOGETHER IN FORWARD MOVEMENT
Joint Active Travel Manifesto for 2026
ByCycle is one of more than 60 organisations supporting the Joint Active Travel Manifesto for 2026: Thriving Places, Healthier Communities, and Saving Lives. It calls on all political parties to support five commitments:
• Investment in active travel to transform our local high streets and benefit our communities
• Long-term commitment to accelerate delivery of national strategies on walking/wheeling and cycling
• Networks of infrastructure to enable anyone to travel safely by foot, wheeling or by bike
• Integrate active and public transport to enhance transport options, reduce congestion for all and link longer journeys together
• Safety: reduce road danger and create safer streets for all
You can see the manifesto below
Closure Black Bridge, Almondbank
The pedestrian bridge carrying the cycle route 77 at Almondbank will be closed on
Monday 2 February for replacement of the bollards. Further information
SusannahRae@pkc.gov.uk or telephone 07557 180705.
Dundee Trail Therapy - An Innovative Intervention Programme
Trail therapy is an innovative intervention programme that seeks to use mountain biking in combination with more traditional therapy techniques to support those with a diagnosed mental health illness. Each session is based on FLOW theory which was developed by Edinburgh Napier University.
You can find out more HERE
Some Images from September's 3rd Sunday Ride around Fife. Thanks to Leader, Gordon McFarlane
Some images from Drumochter Drop V
Sara and Mike’s Journey – Drumochter Drop V
As we loaded the bikes on our cars in Fife, the blue skies and lack of wind promised a glorious day for our ride from Dalwhinnie to Perth. On arriving in Perth, we met up with our pal from Newcastle, Liz Todd, who comes up each year for the Big Ride. The van and the coach had already arrived. We took the opportunity to chat to old friends who we had ridden with for many years in the past. A real treat. Then the bikes were safely loaded and we took our seats in the coach – Mike with David Dawson so our chattering meant a swift journey to Dalwhinnie but we still took the opportunity to watch the magnificent scenery roll by.
All the passenger and bikes were safely disembarked under blue skies at the Deerstalker Diner in Dalwhinnie and one of our number was despatch for food; not the fastest service but welcome and we lingered long in the sunshine putting off the journey ahead. An intriguing guest was Liz’s, our mechanic, bearded lizard which became quite an attraction.
So the journey began.
The pass was at its best – blue skies, sunshine and amazing shimmering mountains but also burns apparently lacking water and, amazingly, no midges. We cruised down to Calvine, often on newly laid roads, noting the change of scenery from open moorland to glades of trees and bubbling burns as we neared the end of the path. As we had been warned, Bruer was very busy with tourist but we avoided that and rode on to Blair Atholl with views of the white castle. We rested awhile in Blair Atholl in anticipation of our first real climb of the day at Killiecrankie. It turned out not to be as bad as anticipated and we rode on spurred by the thought of lunch in the again very busy town of Pitlochry. We had a very leisurely meal at the Bridge Restaurant, again linger too long in the sunshine and, after fixing a minor mechanical with Sara’s bike, headed off on the second part of our journey.
The heat made the first climb through the woods towards Logierait rather challenging but we soon overcame it, dodging some 4*4s, before dropping down to Logierait Bridge and joining the Dalguise road where we built up speed in anticipation of an ice cream stop in Dunkeld. Fortunately the ice cream serving chip shop was open when we arrived and we enjoyed some huge 99’s to help us on our way. The final major hill of the day from Burnham Station was soon conquered and the run home began through open farmland and Bankfoot and on to the new cycle path, Luncarty and home. Neither Sara nor Liz had been passed the Destiny Bridge before (oops, Google Street Map view hasn’t quite caught up yet!) so they were impressed by the new road structures. Finally to the Inch, Tay Street and the cars.
A journey that will live long in the memory with superb company, very ably organised by Ian, Kirsty and their team and supported fully by Liz and her bearded lizard, Howes Removals who transported the bikes and Smith and Sons Coaches the people. Subsequently many plaudits were received from riders who were eagerly anticipating next year’s event.