Tour De Ben Nevis #Tough 20th Sept 2014
Tour De Ben Nevis
No more Orange Flags!!!!!
I’d seen enough of them as I approached the river crossing and I felt spent. A sandwich and a cup of tea would have gone down a treat at this stage of the race. 20 miles completed and my body felt as if it had done double that, but I think a little bit of dehydration had kicked in early on, which I reckon was the reason I felt a bit dodgy at the beginning.
It was another fabulous morning in Fort William on Saturday 20th September where I would attempt to circumnavigate Ben Nevis for the 3rd year in a row.
This is my favorite event of the year and I do completely lose myself in the amazing scenery that the Highlands has to offer. Where most mountain bikers are racing the route, I just bask in the glorious warm sunshine and take in the fabulous scenery.
350 excited riders lined along the High Street in Fort William and we would follow the bag pipers to the start.
The climbing begins straight away on a tarmac road before you reach the military road that eventually brings you to Stage 1 and the timed descent. I’m pretty naff at the technical downhill especially on my “much loved” Salsa El Mariachi Hardtail, so for me it’s a steady run down.
After stage 1 it’s all off-road through the Mamore Estate to reach the river crossing and like it or not, you will get your feet wet!
Once you cross the river it is ‘hike a bike’ time and torture for 3 miles to the bothy for a much earned Veggie burger or sausage butty that “Nofuss” had laid on for the brave, mad mountain bikers.
I made it to the bothy and was starving so I tucked into a Veggie burger and the Cheese Sandwich that Norrie from Berkeley House B&B had packed for me.
A 10 minute rest and I was off for the final leg and 15 miles of more amazing trails and definitely the quicker stage of the race. A steady climb out of the bothy and then it’s pretty much all downhill with some great singletrack and some of the World Cup course. I rode the last 10 miles with Chris from Stirling who I had met at The Crossing (another great event). He looked as knackered as I did and we were both ready for the finish line that was at the distillery along the main road to Fort Bill.
I was 3rd time lucky doing this event and I would like to thank my fabulous wife and amazing daughter who support me on all my crazy adventures without their support it would be impossible.
“Nofuss” yet again organised a top event and even managed to provide us with the warm sunshine.
I can’t wait for next year as my two buddies will be joining me.
Bring it on! #TourDeBenNevis
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