Ullapool Mor & Beag: 23rd to 26th Sept 2010
3 nights (Thu, Fri, Sat) all inclusive, based in Ullapool, Wester Ross. These sportive takes cycling in Scotland to a whole new level.
The Ullapoll Mor & Beag Cycle Sportive
in association with Hands On Events
Places strictly limited to 10 per trip, book early to avoid disappointment.
Skinny Tyres is delighted to be offering a strictly limited number of event entry/ accommodation packages for this sportive. In 2010 the event will be in its 3rd year. Skinny Tyres have ridden it for the last 2 years and experienced the pain and elation of both the short route (66 miles, 7815ft ascent) and the long route (130 miles, 12105 ascent) in the UK’s most northerly sportive event. Both routes are challenging with the Beag (little) route offering a surprising amount of climbing in such a short distance. The Mor (big) route rivals the great European sportives for distance, height gain and sheer toughness.
Both routes take in some of the wildest scenery Scotland has to offer allowing you to cycle along virtually traffic free roads, beside mountain rivers, lochs and stunning geological scenery. For those of you who have not cycled in this area of Scotland, you are in for a treat.
Another gem of a sportive from Hands On Events
We are also very excited with the accommodation we have arranged for this trip.
The Ceilidh Place is quite frankly one of the nicest, most comfortable and refreshingly different small hotels in Scotland. From fantastic fresh home made food that utilises organic local produce, to the large coffee shop and bar and adjoining book shop. Riders will also have access to a private lounge area with an honesty bar, pantry and large comfortable sofas for lounging on.
You will feel so homely and settled it’ll be a struggle to get out on your bike, but if you do manage the schedule is as follows:
The Itinerary
Thursday evening
You will make your own way to the Ceilidh Place in Ullapool (transfer to and from Inverness can be arranged). Upon arrival, you will have an opportunity to settle into you accomodation and meet the team. An evening meal will be provided and the rest of your evening will be free for you to relax and enjoy the surroundings of this beautiful hotel.
Friday
We will leave the Ceilidh Place at 10am and we will transport you to Inchnadamph where we will start our event warm up ride. Today’s route is stunning. We call this the Drumbeg loop and it is a contender for the best 40miles you will ever cycle. We rode this in the Summer of 2009 and everyone of us had a huge grin on our faces at the end.
The route throws everything at you. 5789ft of climbing in 40miles, the profile looks like sharks teeth. Starting with a climb over Quinaig (pronounced koon-yak), we will descend towards the Kylesku bridge, before turning West onto single track roads. This is where the fun really starts and the route hugs the coastline, through ancient birch and oakwoodland. Each corner you turn reveals another surprise, from climbs of 20% plus to rugged rocky outcrops and views across the Atlantic to the Outer Hebrides. You will ride past stunning pristine beaches and small villages, before we finally arrive at Lochinver for lunch. After lunch we will ride the last 10miles back to Inchnadamph, before getting transport back to the Hotel. The evening will be yours, free to enjoy the comfortable hotel and have a pre event massage.
Saturday
The sign on and start for the event today are a 5 minute walk, (or 1 minute bike ride) from the Hotel. Start times vary depending whether you are doing the 130 mile route or the 66 mile route. Full details and rules can be found on the Hands On Events website.
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 days cycling with all the other riders. Hands On Events also provide post race massage, for a charity donation.
Once back at the Hotel after the event, we will get the bikes cleaned up and let you relax, before you have a well deserved evening meal.
Sunday
After breakfast, it’s time to pack up and say our cheerios, head home and start planning for next years event.
We are limited to 10 places and we expect these to sell quickly, so please book early
Additional days riding can be arranged to extend your trip. Transfer to and from Inverness can also be arranged.
Please contact us directly at Skinny Tyres for more details
Photo of Ullapool Sportive provided by © Northsport Photography in cooperation with Hands On Events 2009. Photo of The Ceilidh Place © The Ceilidh Place 2009. All other photos © Skinny Tyres 2009
