Tour de Lauder back for the fifth time this month

Organised in memory of local resident Steve Cully, it raises funds for the Steve Cully Tribute Fund at Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland.

Volunteers are calling for everyone along the beautiful 89 mile and 50 mile routes to get involved.

Craig Lewis from the committee explained: “This year bring all the family and friends out and cheer on the riders from the High Street, War Memorial or Thirlestane Castle grounds from 9am on the day. The committee and all the riders would hugely appreciate you and your family’s support. From cheering off the riders from the start line in front of the Castle or along the High Street from 9am-9.15am to cheering the riders back in from 12.15 to 6pm. Many locals will have cowbells from last year and we encourage you to bring these along to ring and new cowbells will be issued to P1 class of Lauderdale Primary. Cow bells are also available to purchase from shops in Lauder.”

To mark the fifth year of the event there is a new children’s cycling activity - the ‘Cully Cross’ - in addition to the cycling Skills Zone within the castle grounds.

People can also support the event through entering our fantastic raffle. Tickets are on sale now in Lauder shops and will also be sold at the castle on the day of the event. Some of the prizes are up for grabs include hire of a Maserati for the weekend, Trek Bike hotel breaks and many more.”

The Tour de Lauder will follow the same 89 mile and 50 mile routes as last year, starting and finishing at Thirlestane Castle and passing through Peeblesshire, the central Borders and Berwickshire.

For more details on the route please visit the website www.tourdelauder.co.uk.

Alison Acosta, Fundraising Manager at Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland said: “We’re so grateful for the Tour de Lauder’s continuing support as all money raised from the event will have a huge impact in supporting vital services in the community for those with chest, heart and stroke conditions. We hope to see as many people as possible out on the route or at the Castle on the day to mark this special year for the cycle.”