Well, I don’t think I can compete with Rays ‘Molini’ novel (or maybe I can) but here is a quick run down on the ‘Tour de Ben Nevis’ event.

 

George and myself met at the Star, Dorking on our bikes on the Thursday night and after a couple of pints headed off to Dorking Station. On arrival at Waterloo we cycled through the London traffic to Euston where we sat outside another pub and consumed 2 more pints.

 

At about 11.30 we boarded the Sleeper train, had another beer in the buffet car then went to bed. We awoke in Preston with the train broken down so were delayed for 2 hours. On arrival at Glasgow central we cycled over to Glasgow Queen Street where we got our connection with a minute to spare.

 

Train journey to Fort William was fab as ever. Arrived at Guest House, dumped all our gear then trawled the shops. Went to race registration that evening and got free pasta meal then a few pints in pub.

 

Morning of race was dull and dank but not raining. Got ready and went to race venue for 9.30 to dib in. At about 9.50 race was lead out from Nevis centre with police escort down Fort William High Street. In town square race briefing was given then a piped band lead us out to the roundabout at end of town where the race began.

 

Big hill climb on tarmac to spread out the field, we made lots of ground on this overtaking loads of people. Eventually turned into rocky undulating Land Rover track for a few miles before a very Rocky decent into Kinlochleven (we struggled on the descents, really need to have ridden them before).

 

As soon as that is over its followed by a big climb, the 1^st bit on tarmac to Mamore Lodge Hotel then the rest on another rocky Land Rover Track. Again we made up ground here. After this the path again undulated until finally reaching the river crossing. This turned out to be no problem being little more than calf deep.

 

Next was the dreaded hike a bike which took us up to nearly 2000 feet, the highest point on the course. Its very hard work and feels like it goes on for ever. Eventually you top out and begin at first a tricky ish decent but then eventually a super fast well surfaced Land Rover Track.

 

Now about 2/3rds of the way around, a sharp left took us off into the forest. We both loved this bit, nice to have some forest riding. It was all quite fast wit some singletrack. We over took a few people but were also passed by one or two. Lots of this section followed an old tram line so was dead flat and the miles whizzed by.

 

Eventually a short climb was needed and then followed some steep rocky downhill bits, some rooty bits and a little raised boarding. All good fun but in a tired state and never having been there before we did walk a couple of the rocky sections that we really should have ridden quite easily.

 

Eventually emerged from the forest and followed cycle path down A82 to finish. There then followed a short ride via A82 and back roads to the town square were the computer had us placed 72^nd and 74^th. However, due to the scoring system and special stages are eventual placing on the results shows me in 87^th and George in 92^nd which still isn’t too bad out of 319 starters.

 

After race went back to Guest House, showered and changed came back into town centre 3 ½ hours later just as the last of the riders was finishing. Both knackered, had Fish n chips went to pub for couple of beers then to bed.

 

Sunday we were hoping to go for a walk, possibly up Ben Nevis but weather was rubbish all day so just lazed around (Full English breakfast followed by roast beef Sunday lunch followed by Curry in the evening).

 

Monday, packed up, did a little shopping had tea got on train at 11.40 from Fort William, had beautiful sunny weather and fantastic views of the countryside all the way back to Glasgow.

 

Got Train from Glasgow to London (I nearly had to pay for my ticket again but George saved the day – it’s a long story) arrived in London on time, cycled back across to Waterloo and got train home, arrived in Dorking about 11 and cycled home for about 11.15 very knackered. All good stuff, most enjoyable just a shame the Sunday was a wash out.