More than 500 cyclists in the UKs most popular long-distance amateur cycling event, the Étape Caledonia, received punctures today after protesters spread thousands of
carpet tacks over sections of the course. The third annual 81-mile (130.35km) charity ride around the Pitlochry Highlands in Perthsire, central Scotland, raises funds for the Macmillan cancer charity and attracted 3,700 cyclists this year. However a group of local residents object to the race – the only event in Britain in which the entire route is closed to traffic – and formed a protest group to try and have the race stopped.. In a website posting before the event, the Against Closed Road Events (Acre) group said it was not organizing any formal protest, but offered legal advice to those who wished to obstruct the road or take similar action. Tayside police are investigating what they termed a “reckless and irresponsible” stunt, which saw the race stopped for about 90 minutes. Police said they were following “a positive line of inquiry” but declined to say if this was connected to Acre. Posted in World News, Please note: Comment moderation is enabled and may delay your comment. There is no need to resubmit your comment.