Major Highland cycling event Strathpuffer scheduled for January faces cancellation due to Scottish Government restrictions
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ORGANISERS fear they will be unable to stage a 24-hour cycling endurance race in Ross-shire next month due to Covid guidance.
It is unlikely Strathpuffer 2022 will go ahead at Torachilty Forest near Strathpeffer in January, with a decision expected to be confirmed by the end of the week.
The event, which is due to take place on Saturday, January 15 and Saturday, January 16 was sold out, with 1000 riders signed up to pedal through the tough woodland track in challenging temperatures.
After the event was cancelled last year due to Covid-19 restrictions, organisers were hopeful they could come back next month.
But event organiser Alasdair Morton said due to new restrictions announced by the Scottish Government this week to combat the Omicron variant, it is unlikely the event can go ahead, but not yet confirmed.
“Due to the announcements from the Scottish Government, it looks like we fall into that, but we are still making enquiries, “ said Morton.
“We want to make sure there is no way that we can do it and if we can’t, then that is it.
“There are people suffering more than we are having to cancel an event.
“But we have put questions in to various people at the moment as we look to clarify the situation.
“However, it is looking unlikely and we hope to finalise the decision soon.
“But it is not looking good.”
Strathpuffer has earned a reputation was one of the top cycling endurance events in the country.
The event traditionally attracted cyclists from across the world to cycle in 17 hours of darkness, usually in freezing conditions.
The event was last held in 2020, when the men’s race was won by Kyle Beattie from Aviemore with Edinburgh cyclist Zara Mair winning the women’s title.
