Then take the TdC Challenge!

Katy and I did on 20 August 2005 and completed the round in 14 hours 43 minutes.

Boring Stats

Distance - 121.3 Miles/195km

Riding Time - 12hrs 9mins

Average speed (when riding) 9.97mph

Average speed (overall) - 8.23mph

Having previously been thwarted in June by ghastly weather (we never even unpacked our bikes from the van) we were extremely lucky to pick the best day of the summer for our second attempt.  The route itself has been well described in a number of articles so this is merely an account of our experiences.

Starting at 05.15 in overcast conditions, the weather quickly improved to be an almost cloudless and windless day.  The first part of the route turned out to be the slowest especially as there was one section just before Tomintoul that we had not recce'd.  A couple of wrong turns were soon corrected due to Katy's great navigation skills.  Wet feet were the order of the day due to the number of river crossings on this section and there were a couple of pushes as well.

Nevertheless, steady progress was made in the growing light and we stopped at Tomintoul for a bite to eat.  My plan for a bacon sarny came to nothing as Tomintoul was well and truly shut!  we had not long left when amidst loud screeching, we saw a rabbit hurtling straight towards us, hotly pursued by a stoat.  The poor rabbit came to an abrupt halt obviously realising it was now between a rock and a hard place.  Luckily, the stoat also saw us and took off leaving the rabbit to make it's escape stage right.  Ah, the wonders of nature! (more later)

We headed south following the river Avon (pronounced 'Aaan') along a good fast track.  Leaving the river we head past Loch Builg and some rocky single-track to keep us on our toes.  It's just here that Katy hits an off-cut of fence wire on track which punctures her back tyre big time.  No problem until she finds that her 'new' spare tube is not and has a hole in it.  Of course I offer her one of mine then notice it is definitely a funny size and looks a bit small.  The other is produced and the change is made.  We are now reliant on the patches we brought.  What about that meticulous preparation that we pride ourselves in?

Anyway, we're off again and turn along the River Gairn then up the steepest climb of the route to the bealach 'twixt Culardoch and Creag an Dail Bheag.  At the risk of sounding smug, compared with the massive climbs in the Transalp, this feels like a pimple and we're soon speeding down towards Braemar.  Courtesy of a little short cut recce'd by our mate Ianto we're soon heading along Deeside and past Mar Lodge basked in glorious sunshine.

It's a fast track along by Linn of Dee but I'm starting to feel a bit dehydrated.  I learned in the Transalp that my problem relates to electrolyte deficiency and I had not reckoned on the weather being this hot!  Was I using an electolyte drink?  Was I hell.  Luckily, I had packed one measly Dioralyte sachet and it was amazing how disgusting it tasted but how quickly it worked.  I was back on song and I'll never leave home without the proper drink again.

We had just got going again through the Geldie Burn when I noticed something slither across the track.  A snake!  Not having my 'Observer's Book of Creepy Crawlies', I was at first unsure what type as I know slow worms can be quite big.  Katy thought it was an adder and this seemed to be confirmed when it stopped and turned on me whilst I was taking a photo.  'Come on if you're hard enough' was in it's beady eyes!  A tactical retreat was called for.

The track here was better than we remembered from the '96 Coast to Coast and it was some time before it petered out into single-track cut into the glen side. With the camber steeply from the right, I always find these tracks tricky whilst Katy finds the opposite the case.  Nevertheless, we seemed to impress a family of toffs out fishing with our finely honed skills.   With a bit more wobbling and grunting we made the bridge at the top of Glen Tilt.

From here it was mostly down hill and it being a small world, we met a couple of friends passing through the opposite way to Braemar.  Well at least we have some independent proof of our endeavours.  Blair Atholl is always a disappointment.  Quite a dump if you ask me but eventually we found the shop and stocked up with Coke and crisps.  It had taken us nine hours so far and it looked as if our target of sixteen was possible if tight.

However, the next leg was up the old A9 and obviously, our speed on tarmac increased even with a steady climb.  We crossed the A9 at Dalnacardoch and we were off-road again towards Loch An Duin and The Gaick Pass.  I was having another struggle but again the climb went quite quickly and after passing the derelict Sronphadruig Lodge (shame) a bit of humping over some peat hags got us to the loch.  Here again, was some nice single-track but with the camber from the left I got ahead of Katy to take some photos looking back west.  It was still hot and some more pushing is required to attain the track to Gaick Lodge and Glen Tromie beyond.

It's a real whizz down the Glen on a tarmac road and quite a relief for tired legs.  As we approached Drumguish we were faced with a choice.  Cut east into the forest as per our published route or carry on down to the B970.  We were not entirely sure of the route through the forest and some of it was doubling back on ourselves.  In the end we headed towards Drumguish but cut north along the Badenoch Way which runs parallel to the road.  A very nice track it was too.  (The map will be updated to show our route.)

We still came out on the B970 near Feshiebridge and stayed on it untill the turn off for Loch an Eilein.  From there it was a smooth run through well known tracks in the evening sunshine to Glenmore and our starting point.  We hadn't really stopped since Blair Atholl and it was as well that the end was in site.  With the sun setting over Loch Morlich we were relieved and surprised to have beaten our target so easily.

The midges were out in droves when we got back to the van.  No time to chill out and we dived in and somehow got changed out of our sweaty gear.  Our solar shower provided some lukewarm water and luckily I took Katy's advice to forego a celebratory drink at Glenmore Lodge.  Two weary souls headed back home (managing to forget to take the shower off the roof and retrieving it burst from the road).

On the drive back to Inverness, I realised fully that there was considerable wear and tear to my buttocky substances.  Once home I threw myself face down on the bed and begged Katy to administer the nappy cream.  I swore she was applying it with a Black & Decker but eventually some relief was obtained.  Despite Tony and Fiona preparing a hearty meal, I just couldn't get up and slept where I was.  This is the first recorded time I have missed my tea!  As usual, Katy came through relatively unscathed and is probably planning some further heinous crime against my person!

All in all a great route and a challenge worthy of any biker.  I reckon there are a few out there who could do it in under twelve hours.  Any takers?