MAJOR changes are being made to TweedLove’s award winning bike festival in Peeblesshire this year.

Renamed ‘Transcend’, the event will be held from June 7-9 at Nether Pirn Farm, near Innerleithen.

And organiser Hillside Outside has teamed up with a number of local businesses to help grow the sportive.

The company has joined forces with the Tempest Brewing Co from Tweedbank and Innerleithen’s Adrenalin Uplift.

Event director Neil Dalgleish said: “Our aim is for this to become the biggest and best bike festival in the UK.

“It’s in a beautiful site, right next to some of the best mountain biking in the world, and we have all the ingredients to provide an unbeatable weekend of fun, on and off the bike.

“Working with other like-minded, forward-looking local businesses, we can now offer camping on site, uplift to the trails, a beer-fest-style friendly atmosphere and a weekend of bikes and good times which is truly different from anything else in the UK.

“People can come and enjoy a weekend here riding their bikes or trying out new ones on the fantastic Tweed Valley trails and routes. You don’t have to race or sign up for an event – you can just come and enjoy all the goodness of the festival – the bikes, the bling, the beer, food and fun – and nip out onto the trails whenever you feel the urge. There’ll be loads to do both on and off the bike.”

The venue, set to be transformed into ‘Transcend Farm’ for the big weekend, is owned by dairy farmer David Hamilton.

And he has a connection with the valley’s bike scene too, as his brother Dik built many of the famous forest trails which have helped to transform the valley into a tourism magnet.

The Tempest Brewing Company also has bikes in the company DNA.

Director Gavin Meiklejohn and many of the staff are keen riders and racers and have been supporting the bike scene for the past few years.

He said: “We’re keen to put something back in to the community and are super excited about partnering up with Neil and the TweedLove team to deliver a truly world class festival experience to the area.”

Organisers are also delighted to offer the bike and rider uplift service this year.

Mr Dalgleish said: “Adrenalin Uplift have revolutionised the bike uplift service here.

“It’s a great service which allows riders to have multiple descents on the trails without any stress or hassle.

“We’re delighted to be able to include it in the events and in the festival – it’s going to be awesome fun.”