So this is a thing. I know a lot of you here also cycle, so hopefully you will think this looks like fun. However more importantly you know the roads really well. Please give me your thoughts / concerns?

[3pistescycle.co.uk]

Sunday 1st June 2014 – The UK’s Highest Cycle Sportive

Pitlochry - Glenshee - The Lecht - Cairngorm

I think this ride will become one of the UK's most iconic cycle sportives. To ride this route on your own in 1 day is a logistical nightmare (we know we've done it). Hence why we are offering coach transfers for riders and their bikes.

entry opens Mon 1st Dec 2014

102miles or 165km

2,000m of climbing over 3 of the UKs 4 highest roads

The Three Pistes Cycle Sportive takes you through some of the UK’s most remote countryside, past three ski centres, ascending eight categorised climbs – including the two highest road passes in the UK – then finishes by climbing the 4th highest road to Cairngorm Ski Centre in the heart of the UK’s only Arctic plateau. Once you have cycled all 102miles all riders who finish before 4pm can then jump on the funicular for a relaxing ride to the UK’s highest restaurant. After all of that… jump on one of our buses taking you back to the start in Pitlochry.

Alternatively, in the morning buses will also be available to take riders and bikes from Aviemore to the start at Pitlochry.

Also our vans will take kit bags from Start to Finish.

Cairngorm are offering every rider a free trip to the top of the mountain on the funicular. Maybe in years to come they'll do the same via Ciste chair ;-)





We're still working out the budget but we aim to charge approx £25-30 entry and £15 for coach transfer.

Who's interested?

p.s. winterhighland forum members will get discounted entry.[/quote]

This is in effect the *etape* that would make the Tour of Britain a proper race. If only...

I cycled these roads as an unsupported ride starting from Dundee (sea level) making it 200km taking 10hrs. Took in Glen Isla for fun. Found the Lecht the hardest climb just at the steep approaches. Broke 60mph off Lecht. Worth it just for that alone.

I'd have to put some miles in to get in shape for it again. But it was a memorable ride. So I'd be interested to do it as a sportive.

Count me in, sounds brilliant!

HTH you posted about your ride earlier in the year, it was you who inspired me to ride it and subsequently set this up.

Consider yourself getting a free entry.

You are too kind. That decides it, I'll do the ride. Will give me a reason to keep on the bike over winter. Good luck with event. Looking again at the start, it will be a nice start climbing out of Pitlochry over to join the A93. Speedy once over the pass. Some riders will burn out if they go too hard at the start.

This looks good and over some of the best roads for cycling in Scotland.

Sounds a nice wee run . I have The Snow Roads Audax 300 k in may. That's 7 climbs of the cair o mount , Cabrach , The Lecht and Glenshee from Kirriemuir.

Henry, I'll probably see you there then and will try to persuade Steelytail to come and join us. Telemarker, do you have any plans for the start of June yet..?

Cheers for the encouraging feedback folk.

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Alan, I'll do it too and I think at least +1 will join me. But sod getting the bike out over the winter (if it hasn't already dissolved into a pile of rust or been stolen from the shed by a scrap metal dealer), I might get cold and wet.

I'm in!

Full details of route, feed stations, cut off times and coach transfer times have now been added to [3pistescycle.wordpress.com]

AlanA

I love the comment:-

CAUTION – Steep descent with slopes in excess of 20% - Riders must ensure they do not break national speed limit of 60mph

Sounds more of a challenge than a warning!

I'm up for that as well. Looks like a good day out. Keep us posted!

Sounds impressive - too much for the likes of me - if around I will certainly go and support - I once watched a flat slightly up incline section of Tour De France and was pretty impressed by the speed they were going at - the downhill section where speeds of 60mph must be worth a look



Edited 1 times. Last edit at 14.38hrs Mon 25 Nov 13 by daveski.