Etape Caledonia Training Ride April 2010

These rides just keep getting better. As before riders gathered at Escape Route  in Pitlochry, this time to complete the full 81mile route of the Etape Caledonia. The weather was stunning with the temperature hitting 22C by the afternoon and no wind. It was great to see how well everyone was working on these rides and the groups were well matched. Two support vehicles were well stocked with energy supplies, water and food and tracked the riders for the whole course.

I’d like to say a big thank you to everyone involved in helping out on these rides and making them such a big success.

Don’t forget if you missed out on the single day rides, we have weekend events happening throughout the year. Visit Skinny Tyres for full details

A full gallery of photos will be posted in Flickr very shortly

Cycling in Highland Perthshire - Etape Caledonia Training Rides

Cycling in Assynt

Cycle routes around Scotland

This weekend we took a trip to Inchnadamph for a weekend of cycling, whisky and wine. Our previous memories of this area were of a gruelling 138mile sportive ride from Ullapool taking in almost 18,000ft of climbing organised by Hands On Events.

This time our rides were shorter, but we did discover what can only be described as the most amazing 40miles I have ever cycled in my life. The Drumbeg coastal road circled the soaring buttresses of Quinag (pronounced koonyak). Big climbs, and fat descents all rolled into a route that took your breath away on every turn. I’m not waxing lyrical about this ride for the sake of it. It was stunning and will certainly be on the itinerary of Skinny Tyres trips in the future.

Sunday the 10th of May saw 13 riders attempt the Ben Lawers classic.

It was proof of the old cliché… four seasons in one day. Fortunately the predominant season was Summer, but with a hail shower and fresh snow on the summits, it was a day that could’ve gone any which way.

A 100 mile route with 10,000ft of climbing, including 3 major passes it counts as one of the best single day rides in Scotland.