Camping overnight in unseasonably low, sub-zero temperatures isn’t the best way to prepare for an event such as the Etape Caledonia; having had only 3 hours sleep due to being unable to keep warm was far from ideal and did nothing to increase my enthusiasm for a 07.02 start in Pitlochry. How was I to know that the recent hot spell would come to a crashing end the weekend of the event, guess I should have known better.
Anyway, for those who don’t know, the Etape Caledonia, now in it’s second year, is the only event in the UK for road cyclists to be held on totally closed roads in and around the Pitlochry area, so no traffic to worry about. In fact, the only traffic that we saw during the event were the yellow Mavic support vehicles and marshal’s motorbikes. The 81 mile event, with a total ascent of 1,949m, takes in some of the areas most stunning scenery, not that I had much chance to look at it since I was concentrating so much on the wheel in front of me.
From very early on Sunday morning, Pitlochry was awash with a complete spectrum of multi-coloured Lycra clad cyclists lined up along the high street in anticipation of their alloted start time. Starting promptly at 7am, the 1700+ riders headed out at 2 minute intervals, I was in the second group and quickly managed to get myself into a group of riders all willing to work together at a reasonable pace. Heading out towards Queen’s View and Loch Tummel, there were a couple of climbs thrown in to test the legs, providing a welcome opportunity to generate some much needed warmth. As our group caught riders ahead of us, which in turn was caught be riders coming up from behind, it soon swelled to around 50 riders. Heading out along Loch Tummel, through Kinloch Rannoch and along the north shores of Loch Rannoch the size of the group continually changed as riders were dropped off the back and more riders caught from in front as the distance and undulating terrain took it’s toll. The support we received from spectators, even at that time in the morning, was fantastic as we passed through the small villages and by the numerous hotels and standalone houses on route.
With the course doubling back along the south of Loch Rannoch our group finally split, reducing it to about 20 riders, before tackling the climb of Schiehallion at around the 45 mile mark. Hitting the bottom of the climb, the sound of riders changing gear filled the air as they began to tackle to main ascent of the day. Riding at my own pace, I made my way up the various stages of the climb, passing riders as they struggled with the changes in gradient. As the gradient levelled out, it was back into the big ring and up with the pace to catch a couple of riders ahead of me. We were then joined by about another 8 riders before the long 40mph descent off Schiehallion. At this point I was beginning to suffer - don’t think I’d eaten enough, so I took the opportunity to eat another Torq energy bar to make sure I didn’t ‘blow up’ then washed it down with some more SIS PSP energy drink. Turning off the descent and heading towards Fortingall, the pace lifted as our group chased down a group of riders further up the road. By this point I was really beginning to suffer but I knew that if I could hang on until we reached the group ahead that the pace would ease up slightly once the were caught giving me a chance to recover. As suspected, the pace did ease and I grabbed a Torq energy gel giving me a much needed boost. 25 miles to go, not far now, the worst was over and I’d started to feel better as the energy food took effect. Pushing on, at some point the group had split again, halving in size - can’t say I noticed where it happened, I was just concentrating on holding the wheel in front of me, always conscious that it’s much easier to ride in a group rather than as an individual.
With the end now in sight, we headed through Weem and Strathtay before turning back onto the main road at Pitnacree. By now it was evident that everyone was anticipating the finish with the pace to picking up as we fast approached Logierait and the final sting in the tail of the 5 mile run in to the finish. Having ridden the event last year, I knew what to expect and that as soon as we arrived in the village, the sharp left turn directed us up a short vicious climb which left riders struggling to select the correct gear. There were another 3 or 4 similar climbs before the fast descent into Pitlochry and the final climb back onto the high street and across the finish line - 3 hours, 55 minutes and 4 seconds later I finished with an average of over 20 mph for the 81 miles.
Handing back the official timing chip, I collected my official Finishers’ Medal and complimentary bottle of Highland Spring water. Looking around the finishing area, which was quickly swelling with riders as they took a well earned rest, it was evident that many finishers were disappointed to find that there was no opportunity to buy any form of commemorative merchandise. Having ridden events such as this before in New Zealand where the format is well established, merchandise is actively promoted and sold to competitors keen to publicise the fact they took part - a missed opportunity I think!
Anyway, a great day out, despite the early start, thanks to the near perfect riding conditions - a great improvement over last years heavy rain. Will I do it again next year? Good question.