Bealach Mor Sportive: 2nd to 5th Sept 2010
A one, two or three night all inclusive trip, based in Gairloch, Wester Ross. The original and still the mightiest. Take on the beast of the Bealach. Cycling in Scotland just got scary.
Check out the full details of our different support packages below.
Places strictly limited to 10 per trip, book early to avoid disappointment.
Skinny Tyres has the last remaining places for the Bealach Mor
The Bealach Mor
If you’ve never cycled The Bealach Mor before, then you’re in for a treat. If you have cycled it before then it’s no wonder you are back for more. This is one of the events that has to be on your “must do” list. Cycling in Scotland doesn’t get much better than this.
The Bealach na Ba is the UK’s biggest road climb at 2053ft (626m) from sea level. You will climb a continuous 6mls (10k) to the summit. That’s only the start of the fun. The Applecross Peninsula is a rollercoaster of a road with short tough climbs as you hug the Atlantic coastline round to Shieldaig, Torridon and finally the finish in Kinlochewe. It is set in a fabulous unspoilt landscape with outstanding views of the ocean and the mountains of Skye and beyond. Quite simply it is some of the best cycling in Europe and certainly up there with the best in Scotland. It’s no wonder then that entries for this sportive sell out quickly.
Skinny Tyres are delighted to have teamed up with the event organisers, Hands On Events, for 2010 and are able to offer a complete support package for this event. As with all our trips our mission is to take care of all the details and allow you to concentrate 100% on turning the pedals.
We are limited to 10 places, so please book early.
There is also an opportunity for partners and families to accompany you on this trip. Gairloch offers a multitude of activities for families while you are out riding including horse riding, whale watching and glass bottomed boat tours. Please contact us directly at Skinny Tyres for more details of this cycling trip in Scotland.
The Itinerary
One Night Stay Friday 3rd to Saturday 4th September 2010
You could leave home at 5am and drive up to Kinlochewe for sign on and event start, ride the event and then head home again all on the same day. But, why do that when you could be relaxing and enjoying the amazing riding in this area?
Our one night stay means you avoid that very early start on the Saturday morning and get a chance to get some warm up miles in on the Friday.
We will meet at the Old Inn in Gairloch for 1pm. Upon arrival, you will have an opportunity to settle into your accommodation and meet the team. We will then head out at 2pm for a 2 to 3 hour ride along the shores of Loch Maree. This ride will be supported by a Skinny Tyres guide and a back-up vehicle in case of any mechanical difficulties. We will also provide energy supplies during the ride. There are a couple of steady climbs involved, but this route is designed as a warm-up for 
the event tomorrow, so the emphasis is on getting the legs warmed up. We will head South East out of Gairloch and along the southern shores of Loch Maree. This beautiful loch is surrounded by ancient Caledonian pine forest and the summit of Slioch (the spear) rises above the Loch. On our return an evening meal will be provided, after which you will have the rest of the evening free to relax. Our staff will check your bike over on the Friday evening to ensure it is in top condition for the race the next day. Saturday is the day of the event and after breakfast you will check out of the Old Inn and we will head along to Kinlochewe for the event start. You will be provided with energy products to keep you going during the event. After the event you will get a chance to have some of the famous Hands On Event vege chilli, get yourself a cup of tea or coffee and recount the day’s cycling with all the other riders. You will have the opportunity to get a massage to loosen the legs off before heading home.
Two night stay Friday 3rd to Sunday 5th September 2010
This package is ideal if you have a long distance to travel and allows you to not only avoid an early start on the Saturday morning, but also a long drive home after a hard day in the saddle.
As above we will meet at the Old Inn in Gairloch for 1pm. Upon arrival, you will have an opportunity to settle into your accommodation and meet the team. We will then head out at 2 pm for a 2 to 3 hour ride along the shores of Loch Maree. The ride will be supported by a Skinny Tyres guide and a back-up vehicle which will be on hand in the case of any mechanical difficulties. There are a couple of steady climbs involved, but this route is designed as a warm-up for the event tomorrow, so the emphasis is on getting the legs warmed up. We will head South East out of Gairloch and along the southern shores of Loch Maree. This beautiful loch is surrounded by ancient Caledonian pine forest and the summit of Slioch (the spear) rises above the Loch. On our return an evening meal will be provided, after which you will have the rest of the evening free to relax. Our staff will check your bike over on the Friday evening to ensure it is in top condition for the race the next day. Saturday is the day of the event and after breakfast we will head along to Kinlochewe for the event start. You will be provided with energy products to keep you going during the event. After the finish you will get a chance to have some of the famous Hands On Event vege chilli, get yourself a cup of tea or coffee and recount the day’s cycling with all the other riders. You will have the opportunity to get a massage to loosen the legs off before heading back to the Old Inn for an evening meal and a chance to relax. Our Skinny Tyres staff will get your bikes cleaned after a hard day’s riding. We will check out of the Old Inn for 10am on Sunday 5th.
Three night stay Thursday 2nd to Sunday 5th September 2010
This is the luxury package and is for those who want to spend some time enjoying the fantastic cycling in this area. This trip will also include a full reconnaissance ride of the Bealach Na Ba
Thursday 2nd September
Meeting at the Old Inn in Gairloch for 1pm. Upon arrival, you will have an opportunity to settle into your accommodation and meet the team. At 2 pm we will transport you and your bike for a 2 to 3 hour reconnaissance trip to the infamous Bealach Na Ba. You will have an opportunity to ride the Bealach Na Ba from the South, which is the direction the event takes. We will then head back to the Old Inn for an evening meal and a chance to relax.
Friday 3rd September
You will have a free morning before we set out at 2pm for a ride along the shores of Loch Maree. The ride will be supported by a Skinny Tyres guide and a back up vehicle which will be on hand in the case of any mechanical difficulties. There are a couple of steady climbs involved, but this route is designed as a warm-up for the event tomorrow, so the emphasis is on getting the legs warmed up. We will head South East out of Gairloch and along the southern shores of Loch Maree. This beautiful loch is surrounded by ancient Caledonian pine forest and the summit of Slioch (the spear) rises above the Loch. On our return an evening meal will be provided, after which you will have the rest of the evening free to relax. Our staff will check your bike over on the Friday evening to ensure it is in top condition for the race the next day.
Saturday
This is the day of the event and after breakfast we will head along to Kinlochewe for the event start. You will be provided with energy products to keep you going during the event. After the finish you will get a chance to have some of the famous Hands On Event vege chilli, get yourself a cup of tea or coffee and recount the day’s cycling with all the other riders. You will have the opportunity to get a massage to loosen the legs off before heading back to the Old Inn for an evening meal and a chance to relax. Our Skinny Tyres staff will get your bikes cleaned after a hard day’s riding. We will check out of the Old Inn for 10am on Sunday 5th.
Additional days’ riding can be arranged to extend your trip. Transfer to and from Inverness can also be arranged. Please contact Skinny Tyres for details for this or other cycling trips in Scotland.
Photos of Bealach Mor Sportive provided by © Northsport Photography in cooperation with Hands On Events 2009. Photo of the Old Inn, Gairloch courtesy of © The Old Inn Gairloch
