Cycling Weekly: Ullapool Sportive

Well I will miss out the adventure and travel side of the journey to Ullapool plus only mention the fact that forum members can safely meet without any serious damage being caused to the planet. Met the legend that is El_Cid and his old war horse Cacophony. All signed in on arrival on friday evening with Cacophony having to decide to do the 65 mile route or the 130 mile route due to his recent broken wrist, he opted for the 65 mile route. We got our numbers and a complimentary inner tube, the hall was well laid out with photos of other events they run..all in lovely weather!!
The forecast was bad and oh the met office were right, The group of 4 doing the 130mile route departed at around 7.30am, still dry but a strong westerly wind with some powerful gusts when we got some height which was right away, the first climb started just outside the town then dropping back to sea level, this repeated 3 or 4 times in the first 18 miles, on this section the rain started, quite heavy and with the speed of the descents visbility was tricky, the El_Cid group at this point were well ahead and going strong, I hooked up with a group of 7 from Perth United Cycling Club(any of them reading..many thanks, a great bunch) We passed the first feed stop, there was no need to stop at 18miles but I'm sure some did, this group was working well and reached the second feed stop at 40miles fairly quickly, we stopped here after some good steady climbs for some flapjacks,water, fresh orange juice and bananas, The next 45 miles or so was along Loch Shin with a nice tailwind and with such a good group this was covered in well under 2 hours, all working well together, a stunning road and the rain had eased by now but with some heavy showers that continued all day, at stop 3(Lairg) I had caught another of the yorkshire group who had been riding solo from 18miles onwards, El_Cid was going on strong ahead...miles ahead! From Lairg onwards we were into a brutal headwind all the way home, 15 miles on from here we picked up a chap who led to my downfall, for some reason on an uphill section he hit his brakes, I hit him quickly followed by hitting the road on my right side, shoulder, hip, ankle and wrist hit the ground. The rear mech was twisted so 1st and 2nd gear was unusable but the right hand couldn't hold the hoods or drops for the final 40miles, I knew the group would be too fast for me to keep up so they went on, I knew Earthdreamer from the Yorkshire mob and a lovely girl from Cairngorm club was not far behind if I needed help. I stopped at the 18 mile to go feed stop and waited for them realising not only had 2 gears gone but the front brake was out of reach, not good on a hilly route in the wet! Earthdreamer is a great climber where I descend like a rocket especially with no front brake so we didn't really work as a team as I left him on the downs and he caught me grinding 3rd gear uphill, the final section into Ullapool is a fast downhill so one handed on the tops miles from the brakes 47mph was reached, Pity about the crash but s**t happens, My computer gave a milage of 133miles, ride time of 8hrs 20, total time of 8hrs 44m, 16 mph. It was 17.7mph up to the crash, Earthdreamer was 8hrs 46m and El_Cid was in the top 10, I can't remember his time but watch this space!!
Pity the wind and rain was so fierce but to be honest we were 40 miles from the top of the country in late september, we would be foolish to expect the tropics, A stunning route, very challenging and on a sunny day will be spectacular, good feed stops and very friendly, I for one will be back. Yes it's a long drive but well worth it, a great end to the summer...oh and the fish is amazing as always!!!
Off to doctor this morning, suspected bad sprain or small fracture, predictions please, no prizes though!!

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I now accept PAYPAL!!!!

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