A friend is suggesting doing this next year. I've done a few closed road events before and it appeals, and the 85 miler is a good target to have. So, I know it's been going for a while now, what's the event like?
It's a lovely route, I've done it a couple of times but never as part of the official EC.
It had a bad rap locally for a while with several instances of sabotage (tacks on the road type thing) but that seems to have faded away.
Nice route. Can be a fast one if you want. I've done it twice officially, the first time interrupted by the tack incident (that was many years ago). Not cheap, but I guess about standard for these things. Pretty well supported by the locals coming out to cheer by their houses. Fantastic descent to Glen Lyon - just watch out on the left handers as it would be quite a bad fall otherwise.
Done it a couple times.
Get in an early pen. The group riding is atrocious further back.
There's a really tight left hand junction near the end - fully recommend being near the front for the turn in. Every year that corner is chaos no one heeds the signs and it looks a lot more open a curve than it is.
Yep - did it a couple of years ago - first time on closed roads for me so it was a revelation. Good fun, nice atmosphere - its a quick ride (compared to the Fred Whitton). Great scenery too - good food stops.
I’ve done it away from the event, and wouldn’t bother with the event as it’s easy to navigate and on really quiet roads (for the most part) anyway
I did it last year, really enjoyed it. Pitlochrie a nice little town and spent some time up the road near the tay as well which was beautiful, id have liked to stay a bit longer. I was very much just having a nice day out with mates kind of ride. some people taking it much more seriously but they all flew off ahead soon enough
I've done the route, and other local routes, a good few times. Stunning part of the world and even without the closed roads, not that much traffic on a lot of it.
It is quite hilly as well as long.
I am a miserable sod, so like to do it alone or with family or pals.
Did it first time this year. Would recommend.
The weather was lovely, close to freezing for the start though - took about 20 miles to warm up. A very mixed bag of riders which merge towards the end when different distances join. But with the closed roads it's easy to pass (or be passed). I've decided this sort of distance is now my favourite, back for lunch after a swift 85 miles!
I've decided this sort of distance is now my favourite, back for lunch after a swift 85 miles!
Yep, even with the signature climb on the route, it's easily sub 4hrs. Nice sort of distance.
I remember doing RideLondon one year and being finished before 10am (started at 6) and nothing was ready for us at the finish. The Rapha store in Soho was supposed to be opening up for a post-ride breakfast as well but not until 11!
I’ve done it 4 times, I think. Including the Tack year (2009). It is a good event, but it can get pretty crowded in the earlier part. If it’s wet & you find yourself in a peleton of 100+ quite a few of whom may not have any experience of group riding then it may be quite an interesting experience 🤔. I enjoyed it every time, but it might not be everyone’s cup of tea.
I did the Loch Ness etape last year with a friend who did the Caledonia later, and she said she preferred Loch Ness, better atmosphere and local support apparently.
Loch Ness was my first closed road event and I loved that aspect of it. I"m doing the Tour o' Borders in September as my next o e
I did the tack year too and managed to pick one up. Nice route in a lovely part of the country, if you're not localish then yes do it.
The camp site we stayed at was definitely at it though. Min 3 night stay and no sharing tents if the same sex.
Next year I managed to overnight for free at the hydro but had originally intended the van.
Yep, even with the signature climb on the route, it's easily sub 4hrs
Not for mere normals. My best 25m TT time was 1:05, and I'm 25 years older now. My (road) average now is 17mph on a good day. Hilly routes around here I'm down to 13mph average.
Like others said Pitlochry is a great place to start but I'd pick a warmer month and not that weekend as you will probably get accommodation much easier to find
Maybe do the route starting from Kinloch Rannoch unless the wind from the west is wild or even Aberfeldy
Cracking roads and never too busy, if like me rather than try to show off how fast you can do it to your pals and brag a bit stop off every wee while as it is so scenic for photo's
Yep, even with the signature climb on the route, it's easily sub 4hrs
I had a gander at the 2015 results: Out of 3763 finishers, 142 broke 4 hours..... so not that easy.
Maybe do the route starting from Kinloch Rannoch unless the wind from the west is wild or even Aberfeldy
This is a good suggestion. The other place to start would be Grandtully - nice point of the route to warm up out of and end up, good pub, campsite and chocolate factory place...
Someone should organise a STW get together for it...
The camp site we stayed at was definitely at it though. Min 3 night stay and no sharing tents if the same sex.
WTF! Was someone monitoring this?!?
The camp site we stayed at was definitely at it though. Min 3 night stay and no sharing tents if the same sex.
I've seen this once or twice before, is it homophobia or just trying to drive extra bookings??
Someone should organise a STW get together for it...
It must have been 2009 when you organised the previous ride around there!
I did the Loch Ness etape last year with a friend who did the Caledonia later, and she said she preferred Loch Ness, better atmosphere and local support apparently.
Of the two, the Loch Ness route is the one I wouldn't normally ride without it being Closed Roads. It was the opportunity to ride the A82 that attracted me to the event.
The EC route is fine on most days.
The camp site we stayed at was definitely at it though. Min 3 night stay and no sharing tents if the same sex.
I've seen this once or twice before, is it homophobia or just trying to drive extra bookings??
The 'same sex' thing is often to put of stag/hen do type groups. We've had it a couple of times when booking for biking weekends away, but when we explain that we're middle aged men who will spend the evening quietly talking about mortgages and pension contributions, each waiting for the first to give in and go to bed so we can too, they're normally fine 🙂
