Peebles saddles up for bike event

Tweedlove organiser Neil Dalgleish said the annual event would not have survived another cancellation. Photo: Ian Linton

Having missed its 10th anniversary event due to the Covid pandemic, TweedLove Bike Festival will return to Tweed Green in Peebles from September 17-19, with at least 1,500 cyclists involved in bike events and many hundreds of others visiting the festival village.

It’s a positive turn of events for both the event and the Peebles company behind it, Hillside Outside Ltd, who looked almost certain to go out of business at the start of the year.

With no event revenue since the summer of 2019, the situation was dire and staff were lost. Now, with a new team and a reborn public enthusiasm for all things cycling, the picture is looking much brighter.

“It’s been a tough time and looked totally hopeless at times, but we’re fighting our way back,” said TweedLove boss Neil Dalgleish.

“I’d like to thank South of Scotland Enterprise, Scottish Borders Council and EventScotland for the support and advice – we wouldn’t be here now without it.”

During the event, Tweed Green will be buzzing with bikers, the top bike brands, festival food and drink and the free Canyon Airbag, with the new September date aiming to finish the summer season in style.

This year, there’s an added dimension too, as the organisers want to bring attention to how bikes, and e-bikes in particular can contribute to promoting greener travel and draw attention to the climate crisis.

“Bikes have to play a much bigger part in our future travel mix, it’s as simple as that,” said Neil.

“We’re absolutely delighted to see life returning to normal and welcome people back to the Tweed Valley,”

The festival, which is free entry all weekend, will also include a free outdoor family cinema night, the Frog Bikes Kids’ Zone, a huge bike industry expo and demo where the public can try the best new bikes, marked trails, meet and greet with pro riders and a chance for bike fans of all kinds to immerse themselves in the world of cycling.

Tweedlove is looking for people to join the event crew. For more information, email [email protected].