Event admin & Information

Below you will find a list of date-critical actions and essential information to support your preparation for, and participation in, Trans Caledonia 2026. These deadlines are important and must be adhered to.

We strongly recommend that riders mark these dates in their diaries and set reminders to avoid missing any key requirements.

DEADLINE - Friday 6th MARCH 2026

Race Participant form:

To help our planning, all riders must complete a race participant form by this date. A link to the form will provided shortly.

DEADLINE - Saturday 6th MAY 2026

Final balance payment:

Final balance must be paid by Saturday 6th May. Failure to pay the final balance by this date will result in forfeiting your place.

DEADLINE - Monday 6th July 2026

Travel details:

Send full details of how you will arrive and depart from the event (if flying, please include times, origin city, airline and flight number for both your outbound and homebound flights).

Insurance:

Send us a copy of your accident and injury insurance (must clearly show your name and dates of coverage).

Participant health & Medical Form

Fill in the health and medical form linked below.

DEADLINE - Sunday 6th September 2026

Whatsapp:

Please ensure that WhatsApp is installed and TBC is added as a contact (+44 TBC)

GPX Files:

Please ensure that you have downloaded the GPX files and loaded them onto a suitable app / GPS device.

Detailed INFORMATION

  • Sunday 6th September – Arrival Day

    • Meeting Point 1: Peebles Hydro (Race check-in: 12:00 – 13:00)

    • Meeting Point 2: Edinburgh Airport (EDI) (Race check-in: 12:30 – 13:30)

    • Transfer to Aberdeenshire: Approximately 3.5 hours

    • Evening: Registration, welcome briefing, and dinner at Ardoe House Hotel (Aberdeenshire)

    Monday 7th – Saturday 12th September – Race Days

    • The race will start in Aberdeenshire and finish in the Tweed Valley

    Sunday 13th September – Departure Day

    • Breakfast and hotel check out

    • Return shuttles to Edinburgh Airport (EDI)

  • If you are driving to Trans Caledonia you are required to meet at the Peebles Hydro Hotel (EH45 8LX).

    You must arrive ready for race check in between 12:00 - 13:00 on Sunday 6th September 2026. Bikes must be built ready for transfer on bike trailers by 13:00. Bike bags will be stored and returned at the end of the week.

    Parking will be available for the week at Peebles Hydro Hotel at an additional cost of £25 per vehicle.

    From 13:00 we will then transfer you and your bike to the race day one location for race registration, briefing and dinner (approximately 3.5 hour drive). Note, lunch will not be provided on this day.

    Our final race hotel is Peebles Hydro Hotel therefore you will have access to your vehicles if parked at Peebles Hydro from the evening of Thursday 10th September.

    Although our preference is to meet everyone at Peebles Hydro, there is an option for participants to arrive directly to our first hotel in Aberdeenshire (Ardoe House Hotel), arriving there by latest 18:00 on Sunday 6th September. Please note, there are very limited options for a shuttle back to Aberdeenshire at the end of the race so this may be DIY. Please email us as soon as possible if you are planning to arrive directly to Aberdeenshire.

    ACTION: By latest Monday 6th July, riders are required to confirm their travel details and book parking. Details on how to book parking will be provided soon.

  • If you are flying to Trans Caledonia you are required to meet at Edinburgh Airport (EDI). Exact pick up location will be provided soon.

    You must arrive at the pick up location ready for race check in between 12:30 - 13:30 on Sunday 6th September 2026. Therefore your flight must arrive before 12:00 (midday) on Sunday 6th September.

    When booking flights, particularly those with connections, please consider arriving early to allow extra time for possible delays with luggage. If you plan to arrive before Sunday 6th September and would like advice on hotels or riding options, please contact us directly by email.

    Bikes must be built ready for transfer on bike trailers by 13:30. Bike bags will be stored and returned at the end of the week.

    From 13:30 we will then transfer you and your bike to the race day one location for race registration, briefing and dinner (approximately 3 hour drive). Note, lunch will not be provided on this day.

    Action: by latest Monday 6th July you must send us full details of your flights, including times, origin city, airline and flight number for both your outbound and homebound flights.

  • Flying: Shuttles back to Edinburgh Airport (EDI) will depart from Peebles Hydro Hotel between 08:00 and 12:00 on Sunday 13th September. Therefore your flight should not depart earlier than 11:00 on Sunday 13th.
    Bike bags will be available from the evening of Saturday 12th September.

    Driving: Check out of Peebles Hydro Hotel by 12:00 (midday on Sunday 13th September).

    Aberdeenshire Shuttle: A very limited number of places may be available for a shuttle back to Aberdeenshire. Please contact us directly if you may need this.

  • You can travel with the following bags:

    • 1 x bike bag (must be emptied and will be stored for the duration of the event week with no access during the week)

    • 1 x holdall/duffle - transported by our team during the race. Max 25kg.

    • 1 x smaller bag - transported by our team during the race

    • 1 x riding rucksack / hip pack - transported by you on your bike

    Below a link will be added shortly to our recommended packing list, mandatory kit requirements, and bike preparation guidance.

  • Appropriate accident / injury insurance cover is mandatory in order to participate in Trans Caledonia.

    Your insurance must include:

    • Cover for mountain biking (including downhill riding) in a competitive or racing environment, or confirmation that this is not specifically excluded.

    It is each rider’s responsibility to ensure that their insurance meets the requirement outlined above.

    In the event of an emergency, medical treatment and evacuation will be arranged by the event medical team via the UK emergency services. Trans Caledonia does not provide personal accident insurance for participants.

    Trans Caledonia operates a strict cancellation policy. We therefore strongly recommend that you also purchase insurance that covers the loss of your entry fee should you be unable to take part.

    The Official Insurance Partner of Trans Caledonia is Bikmo. We recommend their insurance policies for participating in Trans Caledonia.

    Action: By Monday 6th July, please send us a copy of your accident and injury insurance (must clearly show your name and dates of coverage).

  • We require all riders participating in Trans Caledonia to complete a Participant Health & Medical Form. All information provided will remain strictly confidential.

    For your safety, it is important that our medical team are aware of any pre-existing medical conditions before the event. Please take the time to complete the form.

    If you would like to discuss a medical matter directly with our medics, please let us know, and we will connect you with them.

    ACTION: Please submit your completed health form by Monday 6th July at the latest.

  • We will be using WhatsApp as a primary channel to share logistics and course-related information with participants throughout each day of the race. Messages will be sent via Broadcast mode.

    Action: by Sunday 6th September

    • Download the WhatsApp app if you haven’t already.

    • Add the Race Director (contact details TBC) to your phone contacts.

    • Notify us if the mobile number you use for WhatsApp is different from the one you provided during application.

    Note, if you do not add the Race Director as a contact, you will not receive race broadcast messages.

  • All participants will receive GPX files for the race route in the week prior to Trans Caledonia. You will need to download and load these GPX files onto suitable UK mapping app on your phone or a GPS device in order to navigate the course.

    While the race route will be marked with arrows at key transitions to help guide you, the GPX files are essential for full navigation.

    Action: By latest Sunday 6th September, download the GPX files.

  • Please see link to our refund and cancellation policies here.

  • The official race rules will be made available here shortly.

  • If you plan to arrive early or wish to extend your stay in Scotland after the race, please feel free to contact us for advice.