Scots record breaker launches festival

19/02/2009

Cycling celebration at the birthplace of the pedal bike

Round-the-world cyclist Mark Beaumont has helped launch a new festival at the birthplace of the pedal bike.

The Original Bicycle Festival takes place at the birthplace of the pedal bike in Dumfries and Galloway.

It is thought to have been invented in the late 1830s by Kirkpatrick Macmillan, a blacksmith from Keir Mill, near Dumfries.

The 16-day event to encourage people to take up the health pursuit will include mountain bike rallies, coaching sessions, and a host of cycling-themed cultural and educational activities.

Beaumont, whose peregrinations round the world featured in a recent BBC documentary, paid tribute to the original Scots cycling pioneer.

"At the speed of a bike you can see great sights and meet wonderful people, all thanks to the vision of people like Kirkpatrick,” he said.

Events run from May 9 to May 24.