Comrie Croft to provide climax to busy 2024 cross country season

2023 was a memorable summer for mountain biking, with Glentress Forest and Fort William showcasing all that is great about the Scottish scene to the rest of the world.

The Cross Country world descended on the Tweed Valley, which played marvellous host to the four cross country disciplines; Olympic (XCO), Marathon (XCM), Short Track (XCC) and the XC Relay (XCR). What’s more, Scottish Cycling, as Official Activation Partner of the Championships, hosted our Race The Worlds Dirt Crit finals adjacent to the course the elite riders tackled, with the stars of tomorrow getting to stand on the very same podium as their idols.

Fast forward to 2024 and it is time to harness the passion and inspiration the World Championships provided by delivering another memorable summer of XC racing. The best bit – we don’t have long until the Scottish Cross Country Series (SXC) kicks off, getting underway at Cathkin Braes in Glasgow on Sunday 17^th March.

Cathkin itself played it’s part in last year’s ‘super worlds’ as it played host to the Pump Track Race The Worlds finals, with the likes of Danny MacAskill coming down to put on a show and inspire over 100 young riders.

The SXC Series takes in a fantastic blend of old and new venues, racing running from mid-March to mid-August, before that aforementioned climax at Comrie on 1^st September.

April sees Kirroughtree, quickly growing in both popularity and status, play host to a round of the British Series, thanks to Galloway Hillbillies and the SXC team; it’ll be great to see the best British riders come and test themselves north of the border.

From there we head for a staple venue, Lochore Meadows in Fife, at the start of May, before a month later we head north with the newly created Tarland Trails hosting its first XC race. If you haven’t ridden there yet, let us assure you, you’re in for a treat!

Later in June we’re heading to another new venue at SXC level in the form of Chatelherault, thanks to the efforts of Clydesdale Colts and the South Lanarkshire Leisure Trust, before a wee break until the final round of the series, currently pencilled in for Sunday 11^th August, venue tbc.

Then it’s all eyes on Comrie Croft and the Scottish National Championships on Sunday 1^st September. In the Elite races last year it was Grace Inglis (Saint Piran) and Lewis Martin (Studio Velo) who secured the right to don the Scottish stripes for 2024, and we look forward to seeing them show them off throughout the year, home and abroad.

For those with aspirations to compete at the very top level, the British Series is similarly spread across the summer, with popular venues such as Cannock Chase and Tong in the mix, before British Championships take place at Dalby Forest, Pickering from 19-21 July. Just south of the border, the XCM Championships will return to Kielder Forest on Sunday 8^th September.

For the youngsters, the SXC are hoping to work with volunteers to put on fun races for u8 and u10 riders – watch this space for more details on those. Or even better, if you’re willing to help make these happen, please contact [email protected]

Dates for your diary: