Etape Loch Ness

Unfortunately it was an eventful one for me. Came down en masse in the lead pack, four miles in on the first fast descent, when we all hit a very greasy wet patch. Nobody’s fault, no brand of rubber could have prevented it, it was just a bad bit of road. The marshals were able to warn everyone else after the event, but I could hear the odd rider coming down while I was trying to get myself together. Rode on for about a quarter of a mile, but realised I wasn’t Tony Martin and pulled in and waited for help. Another few shredded guys had done the same.

Scotland international Rob Wainwright was in our group and broke his collar bone and a few others had to be taken off in ambulances. The rest of us were just skinned and twisted. The guys in the Red Cross cars or in bikes were brilliant and it sounds like they had a busy day on other sections.

FYI - the chap on the Ft Augustus climb that many will have passed who was in serious trouble is now on the mend. He had a cardiac arrest, but just behind him was my pal’s colleague who’s an anaesthetist (as is my pal). He was with him in an instant and administered CPR before the ambulance got there. Truly amazing luck!

What a day!

5600 rode on the day and the event sold out in less than three days, with folk travelling from all over the UK to the far north. Superb.

Why has this event grown when etape Caledonia is dwindling - it will be interesting to see this years turnout... will it survive?

Slightly OT but relevant to sportives in this part of the world...

... as coincidence would have it, I've been mildly surprised by the lack of info re the 3 pistes: and here I was literally sitting here thinking about it when an email arrived from Alan A.

Turns out he's been too busy to organise the 3 pistes properly - it is a bit of a labour of love it has to be said. It's a "turn up and ride" event, there's no bus transfer available at all, pretty much kills it for me.

I was a bit ambivalent about it this year anyway, I've done it for a few and was feeling a bit like a new challenge. My alternative idea is to ride back from our caravan on the west coast - so a solo ride: but then last year I was late to the start of the 3P and wound up riding literally the whole route solo: not what you pay for with a sportive!

The route home from the west coast is over 150 miles by the normal road, a bit out of my range. But if you go via the ferries that's down to about 110: yes, it's a route from mainland UK to mainland UK that's shorter if you take two ferries.

As for the Etape Cal... there have certainly been years when the community have been deeply involved in the race...

Ajkerr73 wrote:

The advertising and social media profile has been much improved.

Its a great event, closer to the large population centres than ELN and I hope it continues to survive and thrive.

With all the constant spamming and ‘deals’,it still took them down to the wire to sell out (which I don’t think they have - I suspect they’re just saving face). While ELN sold out of general admission entries in less than three days. The event needs an overhaul, or a break year.

Maybe it is as simple as most people who are going to do it have done it.
I know that I’d prefer it with less entrants. Too many muppets in 2010.

The EC is the one that started the whole UK closed road sportive thing, and it’s been covered at least once by every cycling magazine in the country. So it’s pretty well known (in past years I’ve met folk from across Europe who came to ride it). Unfortunately, due to gradual price hikes and several changes of management, it seems to be losing its way. If they can get it extended to 100 miles with the addition of the excellent Ben Lawers climb and they get the cost right, I can maybe see it getting back to full speed. It’s certainly one of the most picturesque sportives in the country. It makes Ride London look like a long tour round some housing estates and overpriced property with a bit of a hill thrown in.

bompington wrote:

thegreatdivide wrote:

If they can get it extended to 100 miles with the addition of the excellent Ben Lawers climb

Perhaps they could throw in Glen Quaich as a bonus

From the Kenmore side, obviously. :twisted:
Lop off the boring bit around Loch Rannoch and keep going west at Fortingall and I’m sure a route can found although closed road round the north side of Loch Tay could be problematic. Must try it next time I’m up there. Done the Dunkeld/Amulree/Killin/Ben Lawers/Aberfeldy/Dunkeld loop often enough. Was planning a reverse next time but...
A variation suggestion. Alternate directions annually?

There were lots of UK cycling clubs taking part in the Caledonia today which was good to see. There were also guys over from N Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. I even chatted to a woman at the end who’d timed her trip over from the US to take part and had hired a road bike when she got here which was impressive. The actor John Hannah had signed up too. Loves his bikes so he does.

I still don’t think they sold out, but there was definitely a good buzz in the town. I bet I end up doing it yet again next year.