We're looking forward to welcoming participants and spectators here for the Etape Loch Ness. Taking place on Sunday, 29th April, it is a 66-mile (106Km) cycle sportive starting and finishing in Inverness.
It's a great opportunity to watch this continental-style, spectacular event here in the Highlands.
The closed-road route encircles Loch Ness and has some spectacular views and scenery rising to 900m of ascent.
There is also a timed King of the Mountains stage with a 4.8-mile climb.
It is so popular, the capacity of 5600 has been fully subscribed and we wish all taking part the very best.
Macmillan Cancer Support has been the main charity partner for the Etape Loch Ness since its inception, and this year the charity hopes its team of riders will break the £1m fund-raising milestone at the event.
In addition to Macmillan, event riders use the sportive to raise money for a wide range of good causes and charities close to their heart.
Stunning Loch Ness route
Etape Loch Ness event director Malcolm Sutherland says the event is about more than providing one day of thrilling cycling on the roads around the most famous stretch of water in the UK.
He said: "When we set up this event, we knew that it had the potential to be more than just a cycling event and over many years of hard work, we are delighted to see the benefits it is bringing.
"I believe that we have created an event that really resonates with the local community. We wanted people in Inverness - along with all the towns and villages along the route - to feel a real ownership of the event.
"We simple couldn't do this event without the help of the local community, so it is very gratifying to see the return benefit, whether that is through the additional spending which would otherwise not happen, or through the fund-raising that is carried out for charities here in the Highlands and beyond."
The stunning Etape Loch Ness route follows the A82 along the northern side of the loch, before passing through Fort Augustus onto the south side. The route then continues around the southern side of the loch before returning to the event hub at Eden Court in Inverness.
Also, for those who are spectating and supporting, check out all our Loch Ness cruises . . . so you can see the scenery from a different perspective!