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In pictures: Record entry for cycling's Etape Loch Ness

News imagePaul Campbell Three riders cycling close together. One of the riders has an arm round a fellow cyclist as they cycle towards the photographer taking the image. Behind the group are brown hills.Paul Campbell
The cycling event is held around the shores of Loch Ness

The Etape Loch Ness had a record 6,500 cyclists for its 12th annual event.

The road race, which was held on Sunday, follows a 66-mile (106km) route, which starts and finishes in Inverness.

One of the most gruelling sections of the ride is an ascent just after Fort Augustus and 34 miles (55km) into the route.

It consists of a 4.8 mile (7.72 km) climb to the top of the Glendoe summit.

News imagePaul Campbell A large group of riders head off from the start line of the Etape Loch Ness in Inverness. There is a large banner with the words "start" and "finish" in white letters on a red background.Paul Campbell
The annual race begins in Inverness
News imagePaul Campbell Two cyclists, with their backs to the camera, free wheel down a hill on a long, rural road. Either side of the road is rugged moorland and low hills are in the distances. It is a fine day and the sun is out.Paul Campbell
Cyclists got a mild day as spring showers held off
News imagePaul Campbell Cyclist wearing different colours of cycling kit cycle along a rural road. Loch Ness is in the background.Paul Campbell
News imagePaul Campbell A group of cyclists pedal up a hill, some of them off their saddles and standing as they push the pedals on their bikes. The road is flanked by trees and there is green, leafy woodland behind the group.Paul Campbell
The 12th edition of the event welcomed 6,500 cyclists
News imagePaul Campbell Cyclists negotiate a twisting road along the shores of a Highland loch. The surrounding landscape is brown moorland, silver birch woodland and in the background is a mountain with snow on it.Paul Campbell
The route had many twists and turns
News imagePaul Campbell A group of riders pedal up a hill on a rural road. Two cyclists, on the right, are riding a tandem and the cyclist at the front is wearing a Batman costume. Behind the cyclists rise steep hills and mountains.Paul Campbell
News imagePaul Campbell A close up of a female cyclist. She is wearing cycling glasses, a black and white helmet and a green and orange cycling top.Paul Campbell
News imagePaul Campbell A cyclist wearing an orange top waves to the camera as they cycle up a tree-lined rural road.Paul Campbell
Cyclists stayed positive on the gruelling course
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