An Endurance Test For Outsiders - The Outsider Festival 2009

The Outsider Festival is returning to the Rothiemurchus Estate, near Aviemore, in the awe-inspiring landscape of Cairngorms National Park on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 June 2009, with the OutRider 4, a world-class four-hour mountain bike endurance event, confirmed as a headline activity. On Sunday 28 June The OutRider 4 is being staged in conjunction with No Fuss Events, organisers of the hugely popular Three Tens Series and Relentless 24 cross-country mountain bike events. Run on an endurance format, individuals and teams of two, three or four will compete over four hours to see who can complete the most laps of a top-class eight mile (approx) course on some fantastic trails around Rothiemurchus. The course will include a mixture of forestry roads and singletrack with some interesting natural sections and some superb mountain bike terrain; with stunning views to the Cairngorm Mountains. The OutRider 4 will cater for the full spectrum of fitness and skill levels giving recreational riders, racers, off road riders and weekend warriors an opportunity to get on their bikes, ride a great course with loads of likeminded people and have a good time in a fun and relaxed environment. It's all about having a good time in a wonderful place, and leaving enough energy to enjoy the rest of the festival. Neil Dalgleish, the Outsider Festival biking organiser, said: 'We think that the festival's biking will be even better this year. We've got a brilliant course, and the four-hour format makes it really accessible to all levels of riders. The transition area will be right in the festival arena so it should be a lot of fun for all the teams and spectators too. Four hours also means people should have some energy left to have a really good time and soak up the fantastic atmosphere of the packed festival programme. 'With Dave Keegan of Bothy Bikes, the undisputed expert of the trail network in the Cairngorms National Park, setting another superb course and Frazer Coupland and the team from No Fuss Events directing things on the ground I know we have the perfect team for a fantastic biking event.' The Outsider is the only festival in the UK that offers a range of outdoor activities both inside and outside the arena - Outsider Active - making The Outsider Britain's most innovative outdoor festival. The Outsider Active programme also includes the OutRunner, a 12k run around Loch An Eilein and the Rothie Relay, a new team running event on 6k lap course, both on Saturday 27 June. New for the 2009 Festival there is also a combined active event for individuals and teams, The Outsider Duathlon challenge. It incorporates both the running and mountain bike events. The Duathlon offers a challenge on both days of the Festival, with loads of time in between for competitors and supporters to chill out and take part in all the other activities and entertainment of the festival. The Outsider will have a packed programme of great bands and DJs, classic movies, comedy and cabaret and cool stuff for kids, all under canvas. The first artistic programme details for the Outsider will be announced soon - please see the website for details: www.outsiderfestival.co.uk. Outsider Active will also offer opportunities to go hiking, strolling, gorge-walking, river rafting, mountain climbing, nature watching, bush craft, stargazing and loads of other outdoor activities, all from the UK's most beautiful festival arena. The philosophy of the Outsider Festival is to create a new kind of festival; a greener festival; a festival to share and take part in; a festival celebrating the great outdoors and above all; a festival with a conscience. For more information on OutRider 4 and The Outsider Festival - www.outsiderfestival.co.uk