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Post by Rupert on Sept 1, 2013 13:20:45 GMT
Came back from a week's holiday on Skye a week ago, and took roadies for a change instead of MTB's, partly so that we could do the Skye sportive on the last day of the holiday before heading back down. Having seen some of Sumitoppler's photos from his tours in those parts, we decided to try the ride over what we had heard is the longest road climb in Britain, Bealach Na Bar from near Lochcarron to Applecross (on the mainland but near to Skye). You basically start at sea level and go to ~620 metres through some truly spectacular scenery. Once on the other side you are in a pretty remote part of Scotland, with the only option to go back the way you came or a ~40 mile very undulating road that goes the long way round the coast and back to the start. We went for the coastal route and the ride was 60 miles in the end, and seemed a lot harder than the 95 mile Skye sportive later in the week. Good part of the world for roadies, although you do have to watch out for the very high numbers of foreign tourists in hire car, who seem to outnumber British tourists by about 3:1. Signs are everywhere telling you to drive on the left, and oddly the Germans and Dutch seemed to be the most dangerous even though they are supposed to be bike friendly. Enough waffle, here's a few pics:              |
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Post by summittoppler on Sept 1, 2013 13:35:34 GMT
Excellent stuff mate, well done to the pair of you. As you say I know that climb too well!! And as you say, very wild and remote. Sounds like a great holiday  |
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Post by smithy on Sept 1, 2013 17:34:47 GMT
Fair play to you both  No wonder your so Slim..
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Post by rallybiker on Sept 1, 2013 17:37:37 GMT
How did the sportive go Rupert?
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Post by Rupert on Sept 1, 2013 19:58:59 GMT
How did the sportive go Rupert? Yeah went really well, we stayed together and got round in 6 hours 25. Mrs Rupert's first almost century. Above all the weather was fine and not windy as it really knows how to rain up there, so could be miserable. Was quite a good Sportive for E to start with as not as many brutal long climbs some of the Welsh ones. It stays near the coast all the way round so just undulates. Sent from my Nexus 7 using proboards |
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Post by buffypara on Sept 1, 2013 20:24:11 GMT
Rupert makes an excellent domestique ;D
Sent from my HTC Wildfire S A510e using proboards
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Post by bird on Sept 1, 2013 20:44:03 GMT
Rupert makes an excellent domestique ;D Looks like you had a great time. Love the new hair do Rupert |
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Post by Sandi on Sept 2, 2013 13:19:36 GMT
Thanks for sharing your holiday pics, looks a great trip and the weather gods were kind to you.....which helps |
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Post by Trailrash on Sept 3, 2013 12:26:29 GMT
Nice pics Rupert. (His & Hers Cannondales too!) Aye those bloody Krauts & Cloggies hey! Tsss! Not a clue. ;-) They're probably not used to those daft cyclists riding hills! Suppose they're more used to cyclists having their own cycle-paths, traffic lights & rules |
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Post by Rupert on Sept 3, 2013 19:27:12 GMT
I should know Woody, I am kind of half a Kraut by birth I'm slowly weaning Mrs Rupert off Specialized. Synapses are ideal for up there as the roads are rougher than Denbighshire roads and the pros use them to ride the cobbles Sent from my GT-I9100 using proboards |
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Post by Trailrash on Sept 3, 2013 21:43:28 GMT
Funny that I'm sort of a quarter Kraut, 2 quarters Cloggy and a quarter Pommy wanna-be You Dinky's make the most of it I say you only live once! |
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No wonder your so Slim..
