TO mark the occasion, endurance athlete Jenny Tough and YouTuber Katie Kookaburra recreated the first-ever bicycle ride undertaken by Scottish inventor Kirkpatrick Macmillan on the treadle bicycle in 1842.
The two riders cycled 94 miles from The Crichton to Glasgow, passing through Burnhead, Sanquhar, Cumnock and along The Sir Chris Hoy Cycle Way. Once in the city they went by the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome and were joined by eleven-time UCI track world champion and six-time Olympic champion Sir Chris Hoy and nineteen-time UCI para-cycling world champion and eight-time Paralympic champion Jody Cundy to the finish in George Square.
The ride was to showcase Scotland as a place of invention and innovation ahead of the start of the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships.
At the start line in Dumfries, which will host the para-cycling Road event, there was a cycling showcase of all the unique bicycles that will feature across the 13 events across Scotland this summer. A replica of Kirkpatrick’s treadle bike was also on display after being loaned from Dumfries Museum.
Static bikes were placed in George Square and passers-by were encouraged to join in the challenge and log the first miles of the 23 Million Mile Challenge.
Jenny said: “I’m so excited to be recreating Kirkpatrick’s historic journey from Dumfriesshire to Glasgow alongside Katie to log the first miles of the 23 Million Mile Challenge as part of 100 days to go until the championships.
“The Challenge is a wonderful opportunity to get out on your bike and discover the freedom it can bring.”
Cllr Ian Blake, chair of Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Communities Committee said: “We’re very excited to be hosting four days of world class para-cycling here in Dumfries and Galloway.
“Our council has a strong recent tradition of being a fantastic host to cycling events and I’m sure the athletes will have a positive experience competing in our region in August.”
With something for everyone to enjoy, the 2023 UCI Cycling Worlds will feature 13 high-adrenaline, exciting UCI World Championships.
Tickets are on sale now from as little as £8, with concessions from £5, there are also many free events to watch throughout the championships.
Cyclists from across the UK are urged to complete as many miles as possible between April and the UCI Cycling World Championships in August.
Registration for the 23 Million Mile Challenge can be done here: cyclingworldchamps.com/23-million-mile-challenge.
