News and Updates

Day 5 – Wednesday 15 May 2013

Tomintoul to Ballater

Started in sunshine from Tomintoul, with 27 hard off road miles to cover taking us over some amazing mountains with views very few people will ever see. Got to top: snow, cold, windy – so stopped for lunch. Had one of the best down hill descents this week. Went through some beautiful forests which led us through Balmoral Estate, popped in for cream tea with the Queen (but forgot to get sponsorship from Her Majesty ). Then hit our only bit of tarmac for the day. All up hill and raining – lovely 8 miles. Paul has found out from local doctor he has been over using his knee.  Lol. Now can’t walk.  Seems to be able to ride 50 miles a day though… Finishing a gruelling 35 mile ride in rainy Ballater. Last 55 miles tomorrow.

Day 4 – Tuesday 14 May 2013

Glen Feshie to Tomintoul

42 miles/67km. 21 miles/34km off-road. 3200ft/970 metres climbing. Summits and passes: Gleann Dubh Lochain 790ft/240 metres; Cadha Mor 800ft/245 metres; Choire Pass 690ft/209 metres; Glengarry Forest 695ft/210 metres; Invergarry 450ft/137 metres

Woke to a fortifying two course breakfast of cereal followed by full English by masterchef/chief logistician/guardian angel, Richard Oughton, in order to set us up for another 50+ mile ride! Started with a 30 mile road ride for a warm up riding from Laggan through to Loch Morloc. During these miles we encountered a strange, unfamiliar phenomenon: sunshine! After the Loch we headed through Abenethy Forest for twenty miles. Nice routes, with plenty of twists and river crossings to keep things interesting. Final destination of the day has been Tomintoul for rest before a now short ride of a measly 35 miles tomorrow. Such a blessing to have fun on a day like this, after such a tough time over previous days.

Day 3 – Monday 12 May 2013

Fort Augustus to Glen Feshie

45 miles/67km (amended route 70 miles). 21 miles/34km off-road. 42520ft/1285 metres climbing. Summits and passes: Corrieyairack Pass 2550ft/772 metres; Inshriach Forest 1200ft/360 metres

We awoke in our hostel to snow fall and low cloud cover. With the forecast predicting high winds, bitter windchills and possible whiteouts over high terrain, we sat down to a team meeting. Our intended 20 mile trek over the famous Corrieyairack Pass now seemed foolhardy so another route was proposed. This involved travelling around the mountains at low level to reduce being affected by the worsening conditions – but as a sacrifice would involve a 50 mile trip. It was a very wet trek and has added another 30 miles to our adventure. We will now be looking at completing 300 miles this week!

Day 2 – Sunday 11 May 2013

Arnisdale to Fort Augustus (Loch Ness)

42 miles/67km. 21 miles/34km off-road. 3200ft/970 metres climbing. Summits and passes: Gleann Dubh Lochain 790ft/240 metres; Cadha Mor 800ft/245 metres; Choire Pass 690ft/209 metres; Glengarry Forest 695ft/210 metres; Invergarry 450ft/137 metres

Started the day in Corran with our first offroad trail to tackle. Departed 9.30am. We travelled over rubble, steep tracks and river crossings. Much of it challenging on foot, impossible by bike. Took us over 3.5 hours to cover first 7 miles! Long c roads and heavy rain were the order for the rest of the day which made it very slow going. After passing through forest tracks we finished our days journey 6.30pm in Fort Augustus, on the shores of Loch Ness, but by the time we arrived it was well past Nessie’s bed time. A really tough day.

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

 

Deadline for applications – 8th April 2013

We are looking for more volunteers to join us as School Pastors.  Building on our successful pilot year we have now launched a long-term project to support students in Island Schools through the School Pastors Initiative.  If you would like to help support students this way then please download our application pack.  If you have any questions or would like to talk through what’s involved, please get in touch with Rebecca Kelly, School Pastors Coordinator.