BORDERS cyclists will have the chance to benefit from a day of specialist coaching as part of a new event.

Live Borders Sports Development is launching the Rock Up and Ride event, a day of coaching and riding at Bowhill House, Selkirk, following the success of a similar project last summer.

After hosting the Borders Bike Fest at Tweed Green in summer 2023 to coincide with the UCI Cycling World Champions at Glentress, the sports development team have developed a cycling scheme where riders of all ages can take part with their parents or carers.

Event organiser Chris Bryant said: "Before COVID struck we used to run a schools only event at Bowhill and around 50 per cent of all the 2023 World Championship XC Team Event will have ridden these trails in our events.

"We wanted to open this up to everyone this year rather than just youngsters.

"For our event we'll aim to time everyone but won't be holding podium ceremonies so the riders can focus on their own achievements, hopefully in years to come we'll see some of our riders as World Champs of the future."

With the support of Scottish Borders Council's (SBC) Community Cycling Fund, Live Borders' Rock Up and Ride at Bowhill will use chip timing to let riders take in multiple laps of a cross country inspired course,

And while there won't be a winners' podium, riders can set themselves the challenge of completing their fastest laps, the most laps, or they can simply enjoy riding with others their age.

Or for those looking to build on their cycling skills, coaching sessions will be available from KICC - a local mountain biking club - and Live Borders' Cycle Skools coaching team.

Live Borders has run Rock Up and Ride sessions at the Tweedbank Outdoor Sports Complex, and have offered free bike check sessions alongside Cycling UK for the Pedal Play programme for riders aged three to five years old in Selkirk.

The Bowhill event will take place on Sunday, March 24 at Bowhill House, Selkirk.

To join the event, visit: www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/298109/Rock-Up-and-Ride-at-Bowhill-Community-Cycling-Event

The Rock Up and Ride free community rides from Tweedbank are still available throughout the week and can be booked at: www.cognitoforms.com/ClubSportBorders/RockUpAndRideFreeCommunityBikeRides