UCI Gran Fondo : Perth 3 nights - Optional Airport Transfers

Included with all packages:

• Hotel in Perth for 3 nights
• Self-catering, Bed and Breakfast, or Half Board options
• Various room options; single rooms, double and twin rooms, triples, suites, and family rooms
• Secure bike storage
• Guided Warm Up Rides
• Mechanic Service is Available all weekend
• ABTA protected

Wednesday 2 August : Arrival Day

Make your own arrangements to arrive at your chosen hotel in Perth today or make use of our airport transfers. We provide a regular service from both Edinburgh (EDI) and Glasgow (GLA) airports. We will welcome you at the airport at our welcome desk and your coach will be waiting outside the terminal.

Glasgow Airport Transfers - SOLD OUT

Glasgow Airport Transfer departure times: 09:30, 11:30, 13:50, 15:30 and 19:30

Edinburgh Airport Transfers - SOLD OUT

Edinburgh Airport Transfer departure times: 10:15, 11:30, 14:00, 17:00 and 19:50

Our hotels

We offer a large selection of hotels to suit every budget. All our hotels are in Perth, so you are close to the location of the event registrations, the start, the finish, the podium ceremonies, and the after-party. From hostel accommodation to 4-star hotels and from self-catering to bed and breakfast and half board.

Please refer to the hotel details page of your chosen hotel to find out more about what’s included.

What about my bike?

We are operating a centrally located bike store with continuous service from our team of bike mechanics. The bike store is within easy cycling distance of most hotels and close to all important venues in Perth. Bikes can be safely stored either at the hotel or at our bike store. Please check each hotel’s description for the details of where your bike will be stored.

Our mechanic will be available this afternoon at the hotel to assist you with fitting your rental bike or building your own bike after travel.

Thursday 3 August : Registration and Preparation Day

After breakfast, you must ensure that you register for tomorrow’s event. We also offer a guided ride on the Gran Fondo route.

Event Registration

• 09.00 – 18.00 Registration and collection of race packs – Headquarters in Perth at Perth Concert Hall
• 14.00 - 15.00 - Technical briefing for Gran Fondo and Medio Fondo – Headquarters in Perth at Perth Concert Hall.

Guided Ride

Main Route: max 30km

After breakfast and any final bike adjustments, we will take you on a supported, guided ride exploring the Gran Fondo course. A short coffee spin has been organised to keep your legs moving, but nothing too strenuous the day before the sportive.

After the ride, please make your way to the event expo in Perth to collect your race pack and attend the technical briefing for tomorrow’s Gran Fondo.

Friday 4th August 2023 : Gran Fondo day

Today is the day!

The Gran Fondo will start at 10.00 from Tay Street in Perth.

Getting to the start

It’s just a short rollout from each of our hotels to the start line. Make your own way to the start this morning, based on your own start time. Our staff will be on hand this morning if you have any last-minute mechanical issues, or if you need directions to the start line.

10.00 > 16.30 : Gran Fondo and Medio Fondo races - Perth

17.00 : 2023 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships Podium ceremonies

Saturday 5th August 2023 : Departure or Glasgow extension

After breakfast, please check out of the hotel and depart. Our airport transfers to Glasgow or Edinburgh Airport depart after breakfast.

Edinburgh Airport - SOLD OUT

We will run 2 transfers back to Edinburgh Airport today in line with the most popular departure flight times. 

Transfer 1 : Depart Perth at 0630, arrive in Edinburgh at 0730, for flights departing after 0930

Transfer 2 : Depart Perth at 1030, arrive in Edinburgh at 1130, for flights departing after 1330.

Glasgow Airport - SOLD OUT

We will run 2 transfers back to Glasgow airport today in line with the most popular departure flight times. 

Transfer 1 : Depart Perth at 0630, arrive Glasgow at 0800, for flights departing after 1000

Transfer 2 : Depart Perth at 1030, arrive Glasgow at 1200 (midday), for flights departing after 1400

If you want to depart at any other time, then we also offer private transfers on request. Please contact us for a quote

Alternatively, join us for a 2-night extension to watch the road races in Glasgow.

Glasgow Extension Itinerary (bookable at checkout)

The Junior Road Races take place on Saturday 5 August. The men’s Elite Road Race takes place on a route between Edinburgh and Glasgow on Sunday 6 August. Join us for a two-night stay in the centre of Glasgow and be right in the heart of the action of the finish of the Men’s Elite Road Race.

Saturday 5 August 2023 : Junior Road Races

We will depart Perth after breakfast, and we’ll arrive in Glasgow before all the day’s action starts.

The Men’s and Women’s Junior Road races both start and finish in Glasgow city centre at George Square. Our hotel is conveniently located within walking distance of all the action.

Sunday 6 August 2023 : Men’s Elite Road Race

On Saturday, the Men’s Elite take to the streets of Edinburgh and Glasgow. The Glasgow finishing circuit will decide the winner today and you can be right there in the heart of all the action.

Monday 7 August 2023 : Departure Day

Today, we will depart Glasgow after breakfast and take you to Glasgow airport. Our transfer will depart from Glasgow at 0900, to arrive at Glasgow airport at 0930. If you would like a transfer at a later time or to Edinburgh Airport, contact us for a quote for private transfers.

Who can take part?

Each UCI Gran Fondo World Series event of the 2022-2023 seasons grants qualification rights for the 2023 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships. Events Calendar available here.

Based on the results of each race, the first 25% of athletes in each age group will be qualified for the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships. The 25% is calculated based on the number of starters in each age group, and not on the number of riders having finished the race. In addition, the first three riders of each official age category will qualify directly for the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships, independently of the number of starters in that age group. Riders must finish the race to gain qualification. The age categories of the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships are:

• 19 – 34
• 35 – 39
• 40 – 44
• 45 – 49
• 50 – 54
• 55 – 59
• 60 – 64
• 65 – 69
• 70 – 74
• 75 – 79

All rules are available here

Jersey is obligatory

It is mandatory for a rider to wear their national kit at the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships Time Trial  and Road Race. Although the official national jersey is not required, a jersey representing the country with a similar design and colours as the original national team jersey is required. Private or club sponsors are allowed to be featured on the national jersey.

Perth is in the heart of Scotland and is super-easy to reach by car, bus, and train. The train station and bus station are both within walking distance of the city centre; just a quick five-minute stroll will have you amongst the beautiful shops, bars, and restaurants that make Perth such a popular day out.

BY PLANE

Perth is close to two international airports:

Glasgow International Airport – 90 minutes/ 68 miles/ 109km

Edinburgh International Airport – 1 hour/ 41 miles/ 66km

Rent a car at the airport or take the train.

BY TRAIN

Perth Railway Station is a short walk from the city centre with regular services to and from Stirling, Dundee, and Pitlochry, with a journey time of around 30 minutes. From Edinburgh, the journey takes an hour and 25 minutes. The direct train to Perth from Glasgow runs hourly from Queen Street and takes around an hour. For train times and to book your ticket visit the website directly. Train Tickets | Times & Timetables | Fares in Scotland | ScotRail

BY CAR

There’s a wide range of safe and secure, short-stay car parks within the city centre. If you wish to stay all day, follow the signs for South Inch, Kinnoull Street, Thimble Row or Canal Street car parks. These car parks are a short walk from the High Street. Parking information

Perth Council are continually working towards the vision of a greener Scotland, and they have made a public commitment to increase the accessibility and availability of chargers, and to promote the use of electric cars. In partnership with Transport Scotland, the Office for Low Emission Vehicles, and the Energy Saving Trust, Perth and Kinross Council have installed 35 chargers within 13 locations across Perth and Kinross. There are ongoing plans to implement more. EVs in Perth and Kinross - PK on the Go

COACH LINES 

Travelling around Perth is easy by bus, with many fast and reliable services available, from all over the city. Bus Journey Planner | Find Bus Routes | Stagecoach (stagecoachbus.com)