The Scottish Bike Show Sportive has been hailed a success by the organisers after more than 800 riders tackled the inaugural event from Balloch Castle Country Park.

Riders had a choice of two routes, with the 100-mile route passing through Queen Elizabeth Forest Park, over the Dukes Pass, through Lochearnhead and along the shores of Loch Lomond and Loch Long, while the 65-mile course followed the same opening section as the longer route before diverting around Loch Katrine.

Project Events’ project manager Nick Abbott said: “The feedback has been very positive. The riders enjoyed the scenery and terrain and were pleased with the organisation we had put behind this event. We have taken many positives from the feedback and can fine-tune the other areas to make the 2013 event even better.”

All participants who entered the sportive were given a complimentary ticket into The Scottish Bike Show. One participant who entered the 65-mile sportive said: “I thoroughly enjoyed what was a testing, hilly route quite early in the year. For an inaugural sportive, I thought the organisation was very good.”