but they dont got pass my house...oh wait sorry wrong race
Nor mine. But the TdF 2020 might do.
“Road racing was over and the UCI had banned my riding positions on the track, so it was like ‘Jings, crivvens, help ma Boab, what do I do now? I know, I’ll go away and be depressed for 10 years’.”
Have any (male or female) races been over Bealach na Ba? That's always touted as the best climb in the land, yet I can't recall any race ever going over it.
Have any (male or female) races been over Bealach na Ba? That's always touted as the best climb in the land, yet I can't recall any race ever going over it.
Not that I know of. It's probably a logistical mare for a large scale race I reckon. Bit of a shame. They could do a great stage from Aberdeen and take the riders over the Cairnwell for a finish in Dundee or Perth.
Have any (male or female) races been over Bealach na Ba? That's always touted as the best climb in the land, yet I can't recall any race ever going over it.
Nope, just sportives....it’s too far out the way, the furthest north they will probably go if they really bring racing Scotland is Pitlochry
Have any (male or female) races been over Bealach na Ba? That's always touted as the best climb in the land, yet I can't recall any race ever going over it.
Not that I know of. It's probably a logistical mare for a large scale race I reckon. Bit of a shame. They could do a great stage from Aberdeen and take the riders over the Cairnwell for a finish in Dundee or Perth.
The Bealach is by some distance the closest thing to a proper alpine climb in the UK, isn't it? And there is a bit of a car park at the top (they should actually get them to continue up the track to the transmitter on Sgurr a'Chaorachain which must be about an extra 150m height or so)
So many great routes across the Highlands - but not just the logistics, presumably they want races where it's close enough to major centres of population to get decent crowds out, which means drawing the casually interested.
But how about the Snow Roads for a jolly 300km stage?
Time trial up Craig Owl, complete with cows, cattle grids and sh*te on the road.
They did the Prologue TT from the Caird Hall to the top of the Law in '89. Sean Kelly, Malcolm Elliot and the Millar, smashing it. Dundee to Glasgow the next day.
Have any (male or female) races been over Bealach na Ba? That's always touted as the best climb in the land, yet I can't recall any race ever going over it.
Nope, just sportives....it’s too far out the way, the furthest north they will probably go if they really bring racing Scotland is Pitlochry
You could probably say that about most mountains though couldn't you? I mean the Stelvio isn't exactly easy to get to, but it still regularly features in races. Seems a bit of a shame to do a race specifically in Scotland and not visit the area Scotland is most renowned for (the Highlands). Inverness to Applecross is what, 130km or so depending on the route you take.
I liked the look of the route and its good to see a dedicated women's race. Although I rarely watch womens road racing, I hope they get a strong line-up. Anyone know how this race fits into the womens race schedule because that will determine the teams and riders who participate. It's on during the Edinburgh Festival as well so best get your accommodation sorted early. :-)
Have any (male or female) races been over Bealach na Ba? That's always touted as the best climb in the land, yet I can't recall any race ever going over it.
Nope, just sportives....it’s too far out the way, the furthest north they will probably go if they really bring racing Scotland is Pitlochry
You could probably say that about most mountains though couldn't you? I mean the Stelvio isn't exactly easy to get to, but it still regularly features in races. Seems a bit of a shame to do a race specifically in Scotland and not visit the area Scotland is most renowned for (the Highlands). Inverness to Applecross is what, 130km or so depending on the route you take.
You're then left in Applecross which is the size of a postage stamp. After that you've got to get the logistics all the way to the next stage on wee roads that have tourist traffic and sheep. Where would the fans stay? It's a hell of a one day drive and you'd need to get up the climb to spectate. It's hard enough to find a place with the NC500 using the Highlands. Then there's the issue of the biting monsters in August. I'd love to see the Pros ride it, but I doubt it's feasible. There are plenty of other cracking climbs that are closer to civilisation. The Ayrshire Alps would be good.
Have any (male or female) races been over Bealach na Ba? That's always touted as the best climb in the land, yet I can't recall any race ever going over it.
Nope, just sportives....it’s too far out the way, the furthest north they will probably go if they really bring racing Scotland is Pitlochry
You could probably say that about most mountains though couldn't you? I mean the Stelvio isn't exactly easy to get to, but it still regularly features in races. Seems a bit of a shame to do a race specifically in Scotland and not visit the area Scotland is most renowned for (the Highlands). Inverness to Applecross is what, 130km or so depending on the route you take.
You're then left in Applecross which is the size of a postage stamp. After that you've got to get the logistics all the way to the next stage on wee roads that have tourist traffic and sheep. Where would the fans stay? It's a hell of a one day drive and you'd need to get up the climb to spectate. It's hard enough to find a place with the NC500 using the Highlands. Then there's the issue of the biting monsters in August. I'd love to see the Pros ride it, but I doubt it's feasible. There are plenty of other cracking climbs that are closer to civilisation. The Ayrshire Alps would be good.
I suppose the men would be more feasible as they aren't restricted by seemingly arbitrary distance restrictions like the women are, so it could be part of a stage before finishing somewhere slightly more suitable.
Hopefully they will resurface the roads around there too...
By "around there" I take it you mean the whole of Scotland
Well from a selfish point of view, any of the roads from Falkland south and also all the roads around Aberfoyle Stirling and NE Glasgow... but I take your point.
Have any (male or female) races been over Bealach na Ba? That's always touted as the best climb in the land, yet I can't recall any race ever going over it.
Not that I know of. It's probably a logistical mare for a large scale race I reckon. Bit of a shame. They could do a great stage from Aberdeen and take the riders over the Cairnwell for a finish in Dundee or Perth.
The Bealach is by some distance the closest thing to a proper alpine climb in the UK, isn't it? And there is a bit of a car park at the top (they should actually get them to continue up the track to the transmitter on Sgurr a'Chaorachain which must be about an extra 150m height or so)
So many great routes across the Highlands - but not just the logistics, presumably they want races where it's close enough to major centres of population to get decent crowds out, which means drawing the casually interested.
But how about the Snow Roads for a jolly 300km stage?
I would have thought the 3 Pistes Sportive route would make a good stage (think that sportive doesn't run any more, but its a great route).
Starting Pitlochry and over Glenshee, the Lecht (inc 20%+ sections) and finishing at Cairngorm ski centre - Aviemore is a decent sized place which could easily accommodate a race. Would be good for tourism in the area too.
Yes the weather is a bit of an unknown over the top but that's half the fun! That would be a properly hilly stage.
Done it the first 3 years, that year in 2015 the weather was bad, the wind going up the lecht had people a mess.....the last time I done it in 2016 the weather was really good...but the lecht didn’t get any easier with the better weather
thegreatdivide
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Also the first to feature roads I have ridden - one hill (Cleish) was even on my commuting route when I worked in Fife.
Nor mine. But the TdF 2020 might do.
@DrHeadgear
The Vikings are coming!
looks like no new material needed lolol
By using 'lolol' you just gave your new alter ego away! Silly boy.
Not that I know of. It's probably a logistical mare for a large scale race I reckon. Bit of a shame. They could do a great stage from Aberdeen and take the riders over the Cairnwell for a finish in Dundee or Perth.
So many great routes across the Highlands - but not just the logistics, presumably they want races where it's close enough to major centres of population to get decent crowds out, which means drawing the casually interested.
But how about the Snow Roads for a jolly 300km stage?
They did the Prologue TT from the Caird Hall to the top of the Law in '89. Sean Kelly, Malcolm Elliot and the Millar, smashing it. Dundee to Glasgow the next day.
You could probably say that about most mountains though couldn't you? I mean the Stelvio isn't exactly easy to get to, but it still regularly features in races. Seems a bit of a shame to do a race specifically in Scotland and not visit the area Scotland is most renowned for (the Highlands). Inverness to Applecross is what, 130km or so depending on the route you take.
Click here to view Top_Bhoys RC2:
You're then left in Applecross which is the size of a postage stamp. After that you've got to get the logistics all the way to the next stage on wee roads that have tourist traffic and sheep. Where would the fans stay? It's a hell of a one day drive and you'd need to get up the climb to spectate. It's hard enough to find a place with the NC500 using the Highlands. Then there's the issue of the biting monsters in August. I'd love to see the Pros ride it, but I doubt it's feasible. There are plenty of other cracking climbs that are closer to civilisation. The Ayrshire Alps would be good.
I suppose the men would be more feasible as they aren't restricted by seemingly arbitrary distance restrictions like the women are, so it could be part of a stage before finishing somewhere slightly more suitable.
Aye, a daft restriction for the women!
Well from a selfish point of view, any of the roads from Falkland south and also all the roads around Aberfoyle Stirling and NE Glasgow... but I take your point.
I would have thought the 3 Pistes Sportive route would make a good stage (think that sportive doesn't run any more, but its a great route).
Starting Pitlochry and over Glenshee, the Lecht (inc 20%+ sections) and finishing at Cairngorm ski centre - Aviemore is a decent sized place which could easily accommodate a race. Would be good for tourism in the area too.
Yes the weather is a bit of an unknown over the top but that's half the fun! That would be a properly hilly stage.