Beallach Beg - May 2009

I worked in Inverness for a year and made some good friends. I like to combine a visit to see them with a Bike ride in the area. The last two years I have been up in September to do the Beallach Mor sportive which is 93 miles and goes up the Beallach na bar in a circuit from Kinlochewe round the Applecross Peninsular.

This year was different because quite unbelievably my Aussie mate Paul has taken up cycling and to join regular cyclist and friend and former colleague Chris is the slightly shorter Beallach Beg. The ride is essentially the same but takes a shortcut to make it 43 miles. The terrible hill is still there as well as the lumps and bumps of the Applecross Peninsular.

So a quick 7 1/2 journey took me to Inverness and my digs courtesy of the Brett family. Porridge (scottish style) first thing Saturday morning then a further 1/3/4 hour drive to Sheildaig- the race start.










THE VIEW DOWN THE HILL








On the way to weather became decidedly 'scottish' with sun, wind, rain and hail all accompanying us on the drive.

Paul and I decided to stick together for the ride. He was a novice and I was unfit (first ride of the year apart from a bit of cyclocross over the winter). So off we went nice and steady. Me on the crosser and Paul on the Edinburgh cycles finest. Streams of proper cyclists passed us as we made our way towards LochCarron but were we bothered. Then after 12 miles you hit THE HILL. Its the biggest pass in Britain at 630m of climbing. This was my third and slowest attempt. From 41mins in 2006 to a terrible 56mins in 2009.



ME ON THE BIG HILL




Main thing though was I didn't stop. Just as the climb started I decided to lighten the load with a 'pee' stop. In true aussie sporting tradition Paul took this opportunity to go for it and leave me behind!

As I remounted he was no where to be seen. Off I went. 'Digging In'. Found it not too bad and met Paul just 200m from the top where had stopped. Good effort though. I carried on past him and up the feedstation at the top of the hill. Here we met up again and began the descent. Paul was like a 'sheila' on the descent so I left him again. The cross top levers on the cyclocross bike were ideal for this big descent and I passed quite a lot of cautious descenders. A poor chap came a real cropper on the dangerous road in 2006 and is now wheelchair bound so caution was always going to come into it.

Paul re joined me at the Applecross feedstation and then we began the long ride round the peninsular. Fantastic views across Skye however this did not distract me from the ever increasing pain in my quads. The lack of cycling muscle was starting to tell and the gears began to get lower and lower. This road goes on forever with hill after hill.

"10 miles to go" announces Paul and on we go. 4 miles later a Marshall calls "10 miles to go" eh!!. 2 miles further on a big sign says 10 MILES TO FINISH. Am I going round in circles or what?

Eventually we get to the end and, with Paul the stronger now, its a welcome relief. Chris is there looking pleased with his excellent time.

Well done Paul and thanks for the brilliant hospitality. Looking forward to re-paying when the boys come down for the White Rose Challenge and some 'reet' Yorkshire Hills





THE VIEW FROM APPLECROSS - Nearly as good as Yorkshire!