Day 1 – Saturday 11 May 2013
Skye Bridge to Arnisdale and Corran
46 miles/73km. All on-road. 3600ft/1100 metres climbing. Summits and passes: Carr Brae 590ft/180 metres; Bealach Ratagan 1300ft/399 metres; Uranan Viewpoint 690ft/208 metres.
After loading up and driving nearly 650 miles through pouring rain from Freshwater, Isle of Wight to Kyleakin, Isle of Skye on Friday 10th and Saturday 11th May, the team crossed the Skye Bridge and arrived at the start of their ride.
The skies cleared and at 1.20pm the riders set off back over the Skye Bridge in good weather, this time under their own steam. They made good progress in fine weather for the first 17 miles. Everything can change very quickly in the Highlands though and as they arrived at the first big climb over Bealach Ratagan (1300ft/399 metres) the team were met with a downpour and a sharp drop in temperature.
Freezing cold and wet for the rest of the day, they soldiered on (taking care to avoid some unusual hazards in the form of flocks sheep in road) and arrived safe by 6.30pm in Corran, where support driver, Richard Oughton had rum and a hot meal waiting.
Today (Sunday 12th May 2013), after a night under canvas and with heavy rain expected later, the team start early to take advantage of the better weather, going off road straight away for the 42 mile/67km ride to Fort Augustus.
You can still sponsor the team to show your support via their MyDonate page
