Pain is only weakness leaving the body...

You may recall that a few weeks ago I had a bit of a whinge about lashing rain and even a bit of snow on the Cycling Sportive event over the famous Bealach na Ba. Why can't the weather be a bit better for these events... In future I'll keep my big mouth shut!

Yesterday saw the 2nd in the HandsOnEvents series of Sportives. The location was the Isle of Skye. The forecast was HOT! The more sane riders out there would probably chose the Skye Beag. A mere 48 miles starting in Portree and heading north past the popular Skye landmarks of the Old Man of Storr and the Quirang.

However, being far from sane I opted for the Skye Mor, which adds in a quick tour of the west of Skye, out to Dunvegan and Sligachan, bringing the total to 96 miles and a cumulative ascent of 3000m. Nice! And I don't do 'hot'.

The first leg was fast and furious, thanks to a 'brisk' tail wind. Unfortunately, that brisk tail wind then turned into a brisk head wind for much of the rest of the circuit until Sligachan. Still, it kept the searing heat reflecting off the tarmac under control. Can't say that it was easy going. Good bits and bad bits. And some very bad bits. Especially the long, lonely haul over to Dunvegan. Much pain, much weakness leaving the body. Why, oh why do I do these things?

But before you know it the left turn at Sligachan appears and then a real treat. 30 mph plus in the big ring downwind, slightly downhill on smooth shiny tar back into Portee and the finish line.

Not sure of the official time. There were other things on my mind at the finish, like lying in the shade and trying to straighten my back out, and crying. But the bike computer has a riding time of 5hrs 48 mins (add on a few minutes for the time spent lying on the road in Dunvegan trying to straighten my back out) for 96 miles, making that an average speed of just under 17mph. Oh, and a max speed of 51mph! Must have been the downhill side of those 3000m of climbing.

The "Stolen Bridge" on the Puggy Line in Leacnachan
- part of the 10 Under the Ben Course.

Meanwhile, the other half of the Clachaig board of directors, the one not usually associated with a passion for wearing lycra and getting muddy, was competing in the real bike event of the weekend, 10 Under the Ben.

Reports from Leanachan are that it was another hot one - that's 3 years on the trot. And a busy one, with a thousand or so entries this year. Plenty of stories of tree roots, muddy holes, endless climbs and other deeds of daring biking.

So, if you're at Clachaig this week, just be kind to the 2 sorry looking chaps walking round with a gait like John Wayne. Its been a hard weekend!

Glen Nevis River Race

More great ideas for things to do in the area this coming summer... How about dressing up in rubber, blowing up your airbed and jumping into the lower falls at Glen Nevis? Tempting?!


The Glen Nevis River Race has been part of the annual calendar of events for many years, although it wavered for a while in recent years. Good to hear that No Fuss have included the race in their robust calendar of events, along with the classic '10' series of mountain bike endurance events and the Big Ben Nevis Triathlon. Head to Glen Nevis on Saturdaty 18th July to catch the action.

However, as with all things originating from Fort William, don't believe all the guff that they tell you. True, the race started out life as a fund raising event for the local mountain rescue team. But the original incarnation of the river race was actually in 1969 on the River Coe, and the local team was the Glencoe Mountain Rescue Team.

I don't suppose there's too many of the original event programmes kicking around, but we happen to have one. And a highly entertaining read it is too. Note that "competitive spirits may be obtained from the marquee adjoining the Clachaig Inn". There's also some top tips on identifying the favourite (pictured), and No Fuss competitors would do well to take note of 30 years of experience!