FabSwingers.com > Forums > Scotland > Ettape loch ness
Ettape loch ness
Jump to: Newest in thread
Think London Marathon etc only on wheels.
It's a while since I've done it but it is "the" cycle event in Scotland, attracting hundreds (thousands?) of riders from across the UK. Not for the faint hearted, you train hard for this.
It's just after Easter and the website gives you an idea of just how tough it is : The Etape Loch Ness is Scotland’s largest closed road cycle sportive taking place around iconic Loch Ness offering the chance to cycle 66 miles (106 km) on traffic free roads. The stunning 360° route around the loch starts and finishes in the Highland capital of Inverness with 900m of ascent. The King of the Mountain stage features a 4.8 mile (7.72 km) climb gaining 380m in height with a gradient reaching 12% at times. |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
"A 60 mile cycle round Loch ness a closed roads event
This will be my second dome this year's ago
But the king o the hill is tough "
Yeah the climb up out of Fort Augustus is a killer. A brilliant challenge though. Are you going for a PB as its your second go? Or you in it for the scenery and the cake at the food stations. Lol. Im not looking forward to standing along the river at 5.30 am though. Lol |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
I am in wave c between 6 and 6.20
I done 6 sportives last year all over 100 miles, as I do ultra sportives, doing the dragon sportive in Wales in June,4rth year in a row very brutal 136 miles ,5 mountains 11000ft o climbing
Not for the faint |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
 |
By (user no longer on site) 16 weeks ago
|
"They really are a pain on the roads or should I say pavements roads pedestrian areas all over the place
They certainly can be can't they. "
In my experience yes and we all know there some idiot drivers out there too but cyclist seem to be above the law esp in rural area I live and cyclist road events on bank holidays etc is just stupid hundreds a middle aged men in Lycra on rural main roads wtf |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
Sweet! Im in A, so off a little earlier. 5.30-5.50. Im sure it won't be too early for a beer when I get back. Lol.
There are some superb sportives out there. I love them. Rare to get a proper closed road route though. It's bliss. Have you done the Etape Caledonia yet? That's worth a look for sure. I really enjoyed it. |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
"It's certainly a lovely route. That Hill is a bit of a killer but the downhill straight after. Mmmm"
I remember one descent I did down the crimea pass in North Wales, went down it like a missile, frame started vibrating and I honestly thought I was going to be coming off at some point. |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
"Wales is very tough over the beacons "
It certainly looks it. Im working my way through the Simon Warren top climbs books.. Wales is an area I'm yet to explore. Im looking forward to getting over there. Proper hills over there. |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site) 15 weeks ago
|
Not done it for a few years but its a good event.
Always said I would go back when I felt capable of getting under 3 hours. Every year that passes that feels just a wee bit further away.
|
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
"Have the Pitlochry next mnth aswell "
The Caledonia? The long or short route? The lingerie route is lovely, a decent day out on the bike that one. The scenery is spectacular. I prefer it to lich Ness, but I'm wanting to do another couple of rides while I'm up, so entered the loch Ness to commit myself. Lol |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
"Not done it for a few years but its a good event.
Always said I would go back when I felt capable of getting under 3 hours. Every year that passes that feels just a wee bit further away.
"
I bet, 21mph would be some going. Nice! |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
"Not done it for a few years but its a good event.
Always said I would go back when I felt capable of getting under 3 hours. Every year that passes that feels just a wee bit further away.
"
That would be some pace, fair play to you, chapeau! The record is not far under 3 hours I seem to remember |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
"Have the Pitlochry next mnth aswell
The Caledonia? The long or short route? The lingerie route is lovely, a decent day out on the bike that one. The scenery is spectacular. I prefer it to lich Ness, but I'm wanting to do another couple of rides while I'm up, so entered the loch Ness to commit myself. Lol"
The lingerie route sounds interesting!! Didn’t have that option when I did it lol. |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
"They really are a pain on the roads or should I say pavements roads pedestrian areas all over the place
They certainly can be can't they.
In my experience yes and we all know there some idiot drivers out there too but cyclist seem to be above the law esp in rural area I live and cyclist road events on bank holidays etc is just stupid hundreds a middle aged men in Lycra on rural main roads wtf "
Aw! Did a cycling hold you up 5 mins longer than usual |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
I'll be driving up on the Friday. It's about 6-7 hrs for me. Lol.
Looks a cracking route. So I'm gonna give it a go, ive always wanted to ride it.
Will be at the events village early evening i think  |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
"I definitely need to do it plus there is a bealach sportive "
Oh really, I never knew that. Bet thats a beaut.
I'll let you know what it's like next week 😁.
Bank Holiday weekend to get through first lol. You out riding? |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
Out tomorrow, the weather was a bit hit and miss earlier this week so no commuting for me.
Am hoping to get a few miles in though over the long weekend as I'll be having a few days off it before I head up north. |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
Im pretty lucky really. Im right on the edge of the North York moors national park and I'm only a few miles away from a set of lanes that take you miles through the countryside. Which is where I am now at a village called swainby. Just slurping coffee at the rusty bike cafe. Lol |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
Ive done it twice before, the 2nd time I went for a course pb. The ride was satisfying, but felt like a bit of a waste.
This time I'm gonna have a chilled ride round and only try for a pb on the climb out of Fort Augustus.
Hopefully see you out there.
|
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
Not at all, gonna service the bike tonight and start packing the van. Hopefully setting off Friday lunchtime
Just need to find somewhere scenic to sleep on Friday night between Inverness and Applecross |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
Was good cheers, I really enjoyed it again. Was a brutal head wind and rain on the way down to fort Augustus though🥵.
How did you do? You enjoy it?
I didn't hang around too long at the event hub, I was on my way home by 10.30😂 |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
You should have just DM,d me. Lol. Only us chatting on here. Lol. That's a good one, I did it 2 years on the trot a couple of years back You doing the long or short route? They're both great.
I said before, I need to get down to Wales, the riding looks great. You're in for a few good months I reckon😁 |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
My fingers are crossed for you. They reply on you changing routes?
Yeah, I pedalled over Bealach-na-Ba and round the coast ast Applecross doing a nice lap. Was beautiful. Left me a bit knackered for Sunday😂😂, but well worth it. |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
No, was pretty straight forward, there was only a couple of junctions... right, then right again. Lol. Just checked Google maps when I did get to the junctions. Can share my route with you if you like? |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
» Add a new message to this topic
