Ironman Posted June 1, 2010 Report Share Posted June 1, 2010 Durness Duress 317km Audax Saturday 29th May The ride started cold and damp with light drizzle a field of 30 rider set of from Portmahomack at 6.00am in the morning with great vigour Young David and I lead them out at a sensible pace for the first 2 miles then some won must have said that we had cleared the neutral zone and the pace picked up I just sat in and let the drag me along till we got to Lairg and hills were there, I paced my self up the hills with a group of rider that were slower. So I went up the hills at my one pace getting to the first control at 9.10 not bad 3hr 10minuets for 52 miles it would slow down from here on as the field would be spread out. The rain had stopped at this point so the rain jacket was put away but it would not be for long. The road to Durness has its ups and down but nothing to serious but the scenery is spectacular now real views of the hill as there was low cloud. On arriving in Durness the rain returned it was some good food in the Sango Sands Oasis. From hear to Tongue it is very undulating country along the top of Scotland with some lovely coves, at Hope there is a seriously step hill then it eases of to the top with a long descent to the sound of tongue were the post office tea room had some good coffee and cake to be had the would take me over the hill to Altnaharra and the climb to the Crask Inn which was the penultimate control. Well on leaving Tongue there is a long gradual climb from sea level to Loch Loyal well it could not rain any heaver and it never stop till I finished but on the bright side we had a tail wind that blow us down the road to the Crask Inn which was a welcome brake from the weather with soup and macaroni cheese on toast this was going to take me the last 49 miles in the rain. I had cought up with 4 other riders at this point one of them being David so he weighted will I eat my tea and the 2 of us set of for the last stint. We got to Portmahomack 197 Miles at 9.10pm we were cold wet and wearer but had made it before nightfall, there was a warm shower, food and good company at the finish there were 6 riders in in front of David and I and the last rider finished at 1.00am on the Sunday morning. It must have been tough for the later riders as they where out there in the dark and all that rain. Portmahomack 6.00am Overscaig Hotel 52 Miles 9.10am Durness 92 Miles 12.00pm Tongue 121 Miles 2.30pm Crask Inn 148 Miles 5.15pm Portmahomack 197 Miles 9.10pm 13 hours 30 minutes cycling 1 hour 40 minutes spent at controls resting and refuelling. Doing a 600km on 12 June lets hope the weather is better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2023 Subscriptions ginty001 Posted June 1, 2010 2023 Subscriptions Report Share Posted June 1, 2010 Ouch, sounds like a cracker of a ride, well done both of you, I bet you slept well on Saturday night Ian.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin H Posted June 1, 2010 Report Share Posted June 1, 2010 I' am sure it was only a couple of weeks ago David had told me he was yet to crack the 100miles and now he's almost cracked the 200 a feat most of us have and never will get near Chapeau to you both. Colin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lancelogan Posted June 1, 2010 Report Share Posted June 1, 2010 Well done!! Thats something else, theres not one bit of flat road up there!! Ive cycled the roads up there a couple of times (the wifes from tongue) Its a great place to go for a long weekend away with the bike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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