A brand new celebration of cycling, The Original Bicycle Festival, is to be held in Dumfries and Galloway on 9-24 May 2009, and will feature a packed programme of cycling themed activities and events, celebrating the mountain bike and road cycling trails and rich cycling heritage of the south west of Scotland.

The festival reaches its second today, stretching from 15-17 May. The sixteen-day Festival celebrates the region’s two wheeled triumphs of all shapes and sizes, from the world renowned 7stanes mountain bike trails and annual host of road cycling’s Tour of Britain; to its status as the birthplace of the pedal cycle, invented by Kirkpatrick ‘Pate’ Macmillan.

Taking place tomorrow is the Stepping Stanes Mini Festival, a free family fun day with bike coaching, a bike clinic, celebrity appearances, cycle challenges and bike races for all ages and abilities.

The family event takes place on 16 May from 10am to 3.30pm, as is organised by the Stepping Stanes Youth Cycle Development Club. The mornings activities will focus on coaching and having fun, and is ideal for absolute beginners or keen racers looking to hone their skills.

The Women on Wheels at 7stanes Kirroughtree takes place on Saturday and is a free event for women and girls of all ages, abilities, and cycling genres who want to come along and be inspired, learn and, most importantly, have fun on two wheels. There’ll be guided rides, coaching sessions, bikes to demo, bike maintenance, trade stands and talks.

For a full list of all the events taking place head to www.originalbicyclefestival.co.uk