A MAJOR event took over George Square on Tuesday to celebrate '100 days to go' until the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships.
To drum up excitement ahead of the cycling mega-event, Canadian author and adventurer Jenny Tough and Mancunian Youtuber Katie Kookaburra started the day by cycling a historic route from Dumfries to Glasgow.
The two endurance athletes recreated the first-ever ride that Scots blacksmith Kirkpatrick Macmillan undertook in 1842 on the treadle bicycle he invented.
Along the 94-mile route towards Glasgow, Jenny and Katie were joined by the legendary cycling champion Sir Chris Hoy at his namesake Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome.
With him was 19-time UCI Para-cycling world champion and eight-time Paralympic champion Jody Cundy.
Sir Chris, 2023 UCI Cycling Worlds ambassador, said: "In 100 days, the greatest cycling athletes in the world will bring the biggest and best cycling event in history to Scotland.
"The 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships will be full of can’t miss moments across the country for everyone to experience and enjoy."
Meanwhile in Glasgow, George Square was abuzz with festivities as the 2023 UCI Cycling Worlds partner Love to Ride launched the 23 Million Mile Challenge.
Cyclists from across the UK are urged to register for the challenge and complete as many miles as possible on their bikes between April and August when the UCI Cycling Worlds will be held.
Sir Chris is passionate about encouraging people across the UK to get involved.
He said: "You don’t have to be competitive, you don’t have to be racing, you don't have to be in lycra, just get on your bike, have fun, enjoy yourselves, and reap the rewards.”
Passers-by were encouraged to log the first miles on static bikes set up in George Square. They were also treated to a mini pump track for kids and a meet-and-greet with the sports stars.
Sir Chris said: “I’m just really proud that Scotland is the first country to host this unified world championships.
“All of the events, mountain biking, road cycling, velodrome, indoor cycling, BMX, the lot – they’ve got everything coming together for the first time.
“It’s going to be the biggest cycling event in history, so for Glasgow and for Scotland to be the ones to host it, it’s massive.”
Leader of Glasgow City Council, Councillor Susan Aitken said: “With 100 days to go until we are, once again, the centre of the sporting world, our plans to host eight of the 13 UCI World Championships in the city and welcome visitors from around the world are being finalised.
“As we move to event time, we will be continuing to tell people what to expect in August, how they can become involved and inspire people across the city to get on their bikes, travelling sustainably on our growing network of high quality, segregated cycling infrastructure.”
The inaugural cycling event will take place in Glasgow and across Scotland from August 3-13.
To register for the 23 Million Mile Challenge, click here. To find out more about the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships, click here.
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