Bealach-Na-Ba 2008

daowned
daowned Posts: 414
edited September 2008 in Sportives/audaxes/training rides
I see that entry's for the Bealach-Na-Ba challenge are opening online on Monday 3rd of December, it looks like no postal entry's are allowed this year only online applications with a credit card.

I wonder if this is a fairer option or unfair to those that cant register online for whatever reason ie: work hours, no internet ect ect?

I myself think that postal entry's are a more fairer option to events that have limited places like the Bealach-Na-Ba and give everyone a fair crack at getting a enrty?

http://strathpuffer.co.uk/Bealach-na-Ba/event_BNB.htm
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Comments

  • Steve928
    Steve928 Posts: 314
    Entries are now open online - at 07:45
  • daowned
    daowned Posts: 414
    The entry system went online just after midnight on Sunday, the entry url link from the Bealach site is incorrect.

    If anyone wishes to register then they would be best to go to the main Sportident site and then click ENTER ONLINE for the event the wish to enter.

    https://www.sportident.co.uk/entries/index.php
  • wakemalcolm
    wakemalcolm Posts: 907
    Event now showing as opening tomorrow (although I did get in before this, along with about 70 others). Will try to call Square Wheels and come back with whatever they say.
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    Cake is just weakness entering the body
  • wakemalcolm
    wakemalcolm Posts: 907
    Shop played it with a straight bat - nothing to do with them: eMail info@the event website etc etc. At least I have a mail saying that my entry's confirmed.
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    Cake is just weakness entering the body
  • daowned
    daowned Posts: 414
    Looks like a bit of a baws up by the looks of it :shock:
  • Steve928
    Steve928 Posts: 314
    Maybe they're just waiting for the stated noon start. We'll see in 15 mins..
  • DaveyL
    DaveyL Posts: 5,167
    What's the capacity - looks like 550 have signed up already for the big one.
    Le Blaireau (1)
  • rabk
    rabk Posts: 182
    I'm in woohoo! :D

    Only problem is, I have not been on my bike since the last Bealach :oops: :oops:

    Better start training methinks
  • Steve928
    Steve928 Posts: 314
    DaveyL wrote:
    What's the capacity - looks like 550 have signed up already for the big one.

    I think it was 600 last year, with 490ish starting on the day.
    I guess they must expect quite a few no-shows with people entering so far in advance and entries being non-transferrable.
  • wakemalcolm
    wakemalcolm Posts: 907
    More than 350 entries for the Beag too. Interesting thing on their website about 3 new Sportives which will be the longest, highest and most northerly events in Britain.

    Anyone any ideas? I think Ullapool could easily host a decent sized event.
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    Cake is just weakness entering the body
  • rabk
    rabk Posts: 182
    wakemalcolm wrote:
    More than 350 entries for the Beag too. Interesting thing on their website about 3 new Sportives which will be the longest, highest and most northerly events in Britain.

    Anyone any ideas? I think Ullapool could easily host a decent sized event.

    Good to see you have entered again WM

    I think the most northerly may be based at Wick or Thurso doing a circuit including J O G and going down to Helmsdale perhaps.

    Personally the west side is my favourite, anything north of Ullapool is undoubtedly the most scenic part of the UK
  • wakemalcolm
    wakemalcolm Posts: 907
    See you there! You up for the Etape C too Rab? I'm going to enter (eventually) but after your experience of last year I'm desperate not to get seeded.

    The SportIdent site now has the event as full with 564 entries in. Wonder if they've got some guests, complimentaries or 'celebs' (c'mon Vougie D!) to add to that.
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    Cake is just weakness entering the body
  • rabk
    rabk Posts: 182
    Hi

    Yeah I have registered for the Etape Caledonia too. Problem is I haven't cycled since the last bealach :shock:

    Life has been a bit hectic since the Start of september, House Extension resulted in me having to move out for nearly 7 weeks to temporary accomodation and consequently away from my bikes, better get my finger out and get some miles under the belt or the Etape c could be a long day :wink:
  • wakemalcolm
    wakemalcolm Posts: 907
    Rab

    Sounds like you're having a Weston there with your building work - puts my gently subsiding block paving into context. Give us a shout if any of your training rides are combined with visits to east coast relatives (and I'll sit on your wheel for a few hours like last time).
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    Cake is just weakness entering the body
  • rabk
    rabk Posts: 182
    We have had a nightmare time with the builder, however nearly finished now thank goodness. It doesn't help that the builder has an uncanny resemblance to one of the cowboy figures that my children have in one of their playsets! :shock:

    I may be up on the east coast early in the new year, will give you a shout if I take my bike.

    I still have plans for a group ride in Ayrshire, perhaps for the spring and will post something soon.
  • wakemalcolm
    wakemalcolm Posts: 907
    Rabcp wrote:
    I still have plans for a group ride in Ayrshire, perhaps for the spring and will post something soon.
    I'm sure I've heard that somewhere before.

    500 entries for the Beag now - more than twice as many as the Etape C the following week.
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    Cake is just weakness entering the body
  • arranandy
    arranandy Posts: 688
    Never managed to get an entry for the Bealach Mor :cry: Entering the Etape Caledonia though :)
    Flying Scot? You must be joking!
  • rabk
    rabk Posts: 182
    wakemalcolm wrote:
    Rabcp wrote:
    I still have plans for a group ride in Ayrshire, perhaps for the spring and will post something soon.
    I'm sure I've heard that somewhere before.

    500 entries for the Beag now - more than twice as many as the Etape C the following week.

    :D:D
  • Soreknees
    Soreknees Posts: 68
    Hi folks,
    New to this caper so treat me gently..... :? Have to agree with Rabcp, North of Ullapool is stunning cycling country.
  • wakemalcolm
    wakemalcolm Posts: 907
    Agree with the Ullapool chat and I hope it forms the one of the routes. Was trying to think of a Sportive route up there. Best I could come up with was underneath Stac Pollaidh up the coast road to Lochinver, round the Drumbeg road and then back down to Ullapool. Not sure what the distance is for that though.

    The highest Sportive will have to include the Spittal of Glenshee, but the longest? who knows, maybe near June 21st though? The most northerly event has now changed tack and is now the most westery. Surely a trip round Modart Sunart and Ardgour?

    Anyone got the inside track on these?
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    Cake is just weakness entering the body
  • Noodley
    Noodley Posts: 1,725
    No idea. But I do know there are audaxes this year taking in some great routes:

    Durness Duress 300k (starting in Portmahomack and heading up to Durness)
    Snow Roads 300k (Cairn O'Mount, Cabrach, The Lecht, Glenshee - 4800m of climbing)
    Deeside Loop 200k (Cairn O'Mount, Glenshee)

    I am also planning a 1000k ride taking in the route round Lochinver and Drumbeg. The Daylight 600k route (known as the Twilight if ridden as a perm) takes in Glencoe, Sunart, Oban, etc...

    Sportives trying to use the same routes?
  • wakemalcolm
    wakemalcolm Posts: 907
    John, have to say I agree with you there. The boundaries (if not the price) are beginning to get decidedly blurred.

    While you're on, where did you get your VN built up. I think Ti time is approaching.
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    Cake is just weakness entering the body
  • Noodley
    Noodley Posts: 1,725
    wakemalcolm wrote:
    John, have to say I agree with you there. The boundaries (if not the price) are beginning to get decidedly blurred.

    While you're on, where did you get your VN built up. I think Ti time is approaching.

    I paid a visit to Wheelcraft and "Big Al" built it up for me. Don't expect it to be a quick visit, as he takes his time - mostly speaking about wheels and bikes, and offering customers cups of coffee and sometimes even a meal.
  • Soreknees
    Soreknees Posts: 68
    wakemalcolm wrote:
    Agree with the Ullapool chat and I hope it forms the one of the routes. Was trying to think of a Sportive route up there. Best I could come up with was underneath Stac Pollaidh up the coast road to Lochinver, round the Drumbeg road and then back down to Ullapool. Not sure what the distance is for that though.

    Did lochinver to Unapool via the coast then back via the main road this "Summer". That was about 40 miles. Your suggestion of Ullapool, Lochinver, Drumbeg and back works out at 87 miles. Don't know how much ascent but some of the hills on the Drumbeg stretch are near vertical! :?
  • daowned
    daowned Posts: 414
    How are the roads up there?

    I was told a lot of money from the EU was spent on updating the roads a few years back, they cant see a lot of heavy traffic anyway which is good.

    Funnily enough the last time I was up in Ullapool was after the last Bealach in September we drove all the way up for fish and chips from a famous fish and chip shop which the name escapes me at the moment.
  • wakemalcolm
    wakemalcolm Posts: 907
    The roads up there are fantastic - I think they're a decent quality in support of the seafood business up in Lochinver. I don't think they see a huge amount of ice and snow up that way (compared to further east in the country) so they're generally in good condition.

    The drive from Lochinver to Ullapool is fantastic regardless of which route you take.
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    Cake is just weakness entering the body
  • Soreknees
    Soreknees Posts: 68
    Daowned, just in case you're interested, your fish supper was probably from the Seaforth Restaurant. Awfy good fish suppers with a price to match. (or maybe I'm just tight.......) :lol:
  • wakemalcolm
    wakemalcolm Posts: 907
    Usual conundrum approaching wrt the hill opening time and the level crossing. Seem to remember despite my planning last year I ended up at the crossing at exactly the scheduled time for the train...Fortunately the train was late.

    What time's everyone else starting?
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    Cake is just weakness entering the body
  • rabk
    rabk Posts: 182
    Hi WM

    I have been thinking about this over the last few days, I think last year I left at about 9.15am and got to the level crossing about 5 - 10 mins before the train was due, from memory , I was at the foot of the hill at about 11.15.

    Now the weather was atrocious last year, so I suspect if we have clement weather, significantly quicker time may be possible.
  • wakemalcolm
    wakemalcolm Posts: 907
    Hi Rab,

    One of us has a short memory. With the exception of the rain I think it was ideal conditions for a good time: headwind near the start when the field was bunched and a tailwind when I sucked your wheel for the final 10 miles yet still didn't make it in beneath 6 hours.

    Think I'll try and leave about 9:30 this year and try and hitch a ride with some fast guys down to the bottom of the hill. Regardless of planning, I always seem to end up alone on the peninsula (both the guys in front and behind getting smaller) and then when I get to Shieldaig there's hoards of people hanging around. How does that work?

    You got yourself a new bike? I'm riding 700*28s this year; how racy is that?
    ================================
    Cake is just weakness entering the body

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