Sir Chris Hoy Launches 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships' 23 Million Mile Challenge

Published: 25 April 2023

Organisers of the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships have today launched the 23 Million Mile Challenge in partnership with Love to Ride as part of the celebration of 100 days to go until the inaugural cycling mega-event takes place in Glasgow and across Scotland from 3-13 August.

Marking the occasion, endurance athlete Jenny Tough and YouTuber Katie Kookaburra recreated the first-ever bicycle ride undertaken by Scottish inventor Kirkpatrick Macmillan on the treadle bicycle in 1842.

At the start line in Dumfries, which will host the Para-cycling Road event during the 2023 UCI Cycling Worlds, there was also a cycling showcase of all the unique bicycles that will feature across the 13 UCI World Championships in Glasgow and across Scotland this summer. A replica of Kirkpatrick's treadle bike was also on display after it was loaned from the Dumfries Museum.

To showcase Scotland as a place of invention and innovation ahead of the start of the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships, the two riders started the journey from The Crichton in Dumfries and cycled 94 miles towards Glasgow, passing through Burnhead, Sanquhar, Cumnock and along The Sir Chris Hoy Cycle Way.

Once in Glasgow they went by the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, the venue for the Track and Para-cycling Track competitions, which will be integrated into one event for the first time. From there they were joined by eleven-time UCI Track World Champion and six-time Olympic Champion Sir Chris Hoy and nineteen-time UCI Para-cycling World Champion and eight-time Paralympic Champion Jody Cundy on their way to the finish into George Square, passing through Glasgow Green, the venue for BMX Freestyle (both Flatland and Park), and Trials as well as a section of the road Team Time Trial Mixed Relay on the way. 

To kick off the 23 Million Mile Challenge, static bikes were placed in George Square and passers-by were encouraged to join in the challenge and log the first miles. Cyclists from across the UK are urged to complete as many miles as possible between April and the UCI Cycling World Championships taking place in August.

Through the digital Love to Ride platform, cyclists can set goals, log their rides, track their progress, and connect with other riders through the network. Users can take part individually and contribute as few, or as many miles as they like. Individuals will earn chances to win prizes by riding their bikes and encouraging others to do the same.

You can learn more about Love to Ride and sign up here.

And in a further way to celebrate 100 days to go, the official merchandise for the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships with the online store open today at shop.cyclingworldchamps.com. Cube Partnership, official Championship's licensee, will provide the official merchandise, offering a comprehensive range of exciting merchandise products which include hoodies, T-Shirts and accessories, and will provide a world class e-commerce experience for cycling fans. Further attractive product ranges and special collections will be added to the shop in the coming months, ahead of the UCI Cycling World Championships in August.

Sir Chris Hoy, 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships Ambassador, said: "In 100 days, the greatest cycling athletes in the world will bring the biggest and best cycling event in history to Scotland. The 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships will be full of can't-miss moments across the country for everyone to experience and enjoy.

"I'm thrilled to help mark today's milestone and kickstart the 23 Million Mile Challenge by logging some of the first miles as part of the journey we can all be part of on the countdown to the Championships." 

UCI World and Paralympic Champion, Jody Cundy, said: "I'm excited to help kickstart the 23 Million Mile Challenge to mark 100 days to go until the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships. Having para-cycling track integrated with track for the first time, will make it especially exciting to be part of this inaugural event. Performing in front of a home crowd and hearing and feeling their energy is going to be quite special. I truly cannot wait till August."

Jenny Tough, endurance athlete, said: "I'm so excited to be recreating Kirkpatrick's historic journey from Dumfriesshire to Glasgow alongside Katie to log the first miles of the 23 Million Mile Challenge as part of 100 days to go until the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships.

"My life is all about adventure and enjoying the wonders of the outdoors whether it's on foot or on a bike. The Challenge is a wonderful opportunity to get out on your bike and discover the freedom it can bring whether it's going for a ride with your family or setting off on your own to discover what the world has to offer." 

Katie Kookaburra, YouTuber, said: "Cycling has brought so much to my life since I got my first road bike in 2014 during my gap year in Australia. The 23 Million Mile Challengeis the perfect chance for those who are new to cycling or want to start riding again. It can help improve so many things; fitness, making new friends, and building confidence. I am so happy to be helping log the first miles of the Challenge by recreating the ride of Kirkpatrick Macmillan alongside Jenny as the countdown to 100 days until the start of the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships in Glasgow and across Scotland this August."

UCI President David Lappartient said: "The 23 Million Mile Challenge is a fantastic way to launch into the final 100 days before the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships. With participants being able to choose how many miles they ride it gives everybody the chance to be part of this exciting event. Cycling is a sport for people of all levels and abilities, and the 23 Million Mile Challenge demonstrates that. I encourage everyone to sign up and ride together towards the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships!"

Paul Bush OBE, Chair of 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships, said: "In 100 days' time we will welcome the cycling world to Glasgow and Scotland for the first of its kind event, the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships. As we count down to 3 August, we want everyone in the UK to join us in celebrating the power of the bike and collectively cycle 23 million miles as part of the23 Million Mile Challenge.

"The 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships is more than an event and we want everyone to be involved whether it's coming to see the action, watching on TV or getting on your bike and taking part in the Challenge."

Culture Secretary Angus Robertson said: "Today we are not only celebrating the role Scotland has played in the history of cycling but we're looking forward to the historic role Scotland is going to play by hosting this world first event in just 100 days. Throughout the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships, the eyes of the world will be on Scotland, which is fantastic and affords an opportunity to show all that's best about our country - our people, our culture, our towns, and cities.

"I would encourage people to get tickets now and to get inspired by cycling. Ahead of August, we all have an opportunity to get involved by taking part in the newly launched 23 Million Mile Challenge. This is a great way for people to enjoy all the benefits that riding a bike brings."

Leader of Glasgow City Council, Councillor Susan Aitken said: "With 100 days to go until we are, once again, the centre of the sporting world, our plans to host eight of the 13 UCI World Championships in the city and welcome visitors from around the world are being finalised.

"As we move to event time, we will be continuing to tell people what to expect in August, how they can become involved and inspire people across the city to get on their bikes, travelling sustainably on our growing network of high quality, segregated cycling infrastructure."

Cllr Ian Blake, Chair of Dumfries & Galloway Council's Communities Committee said: "We're very excited to be hosting four days of world class para-cycling here in Dumfries and Galloway. Our Council has a strong recent tradition of being a fantastic host to cycling events and I'm sure the athletes will have a positive experience competing in our region in August."

Cllr Jackie McCamon, Vice-Chair of Dumfries & Galloway Council's Communities Committee said: "Being at the 100 days to go milestone really does bring home just how close we are to hosting these UCI World Championships. The race days themselves and all the preparation work will bring significant economic impact to our region and will once again showcase Dumfries and Galloway on the world stage."

With something for everyone to enjoy, the 2023 UCI Cycling Worlds will feature 13 high-adrenaline, exciting UCI World Championships including Track and Para-cycling Track at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, BMX Racing at Glasgow BMX Centre, BMX Freestyle (Park and Flatland) and Trials at Glasgow Green, Indoor Cycling (artistic cycling and cycle-ball) at the Emirates Arena, Mountain Bike Cross-Country, and Marathon in Glentress Forest, Tweed Valley. Mountain Bike Downhill in Fort William and Road and Para-cycling Road across Scotland (a full list of the UCI World Championships is included in the Notes to Editors). 

Tickets are on sale now from as little as £8, with concessions from £5, plus there are many free events to watch throughout the Championships.