Will it be this sunny?	Something to aim for

Starting in Wanlockhead – the highest village in Scotland – and covering 105 miles and 2000 metres of climbing, the Southern Uplands Sportive will finish outside the radar station at the summit of Lowther Hill. At 725 metres it is the highest road in Scotland – higher than the Bealach na Ba and the Cairnwell Pass.

Organiser Peter Smith said, “With the sportive calendar now as busy as it is, we were only interested in adding another event if we could create something truly special. With the Southern Uplands Sportive, we believe that we have done just that.”

After taking in the 8 mile Dalveen Pass and the 6 mile Devil’s Beeftub, the Southern Uplands Sportive has a real sting in the tail. From the village of Elvanfoot the route climbs for 6 miles back to Wanlockhead. With the kind permission and tremendous co-operation of NATS (formerly National Air Traffic Services), Buccleuch Estates, Hopetoun Estates and Scottish Natural Heritage, riders will take a left turn to climb the final 3 miles of private road up to the finish at the radar station.

“Because of the sensitivities of the site and the facilities at the summit, it took a number of months to get permission to use the incredible road up Lowther Hill,” said Peter Smith. “Think the Angliru with heather, sheep and an enormous golf ball and you won’t be far wrong!”

Entries for the inaugural event will open on March 13th and will be limited to 250 participants.

For further information on the Southern Uplands Sportive, contact Peter Smith on 0791 9897076, email [email protected] or go to www.sus8events.com