So my mate Jamie comes down from beyond Thurso with the brainwave of riding a DIY 200km audax through some of the hardest going in the country.
Perhaps I'd like to toodle along with him for the first 20 or so miles as far as the top of the Struie while he warms up for the longer haul.
Great idea.
It's not a hard ride to the Struie, so the obvious choice is my Pompino with a 3 speed Sturmey-Archer rather than something more speedy. Obvious because it's the easiest to reach out of the bike pile in my shed. 🙂
Started in early morning sunshine and it wasn't long before we were at the top of the Struie. A look at the views put thoughts of a turn back out of mind.
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It would have been a shame not to have a blast down that hill - I could go back the flat way. So onwards and downwards at high velocities.
At the bottom, it was such a nice day we decided I may as well accompany Jamie to the next village only 5 miles away (Bonar Bridge) where we could have some coffee and cake before going our respective ways. But the usual spot no longer there, so onward to Lairg because Jamie knew of an even better cafe with brilliant cake and coffee.
Frabjous joy, the Lairg cafe was closed too. By now we were starving after 50 miles of riding at audax pace. We did get to admire this des res island home though. 🙂
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So it was scavenge the contents of the grocery store and eat up.
Lairg was the 50 mile mark, and seeing as I was comfortable with Jamie's audax pace it seemed kind of obvious that having come that far, that I may as well do the rest of the ride. It was only another 75 miles after all.
That it might be er, somewhat demanding terrain, got forgotten while stuffing my macaroni pie down with the aid of a banana or two (did I mention we were starving?). With starvation temporarily at bay on we went.
Luckily the cooling breezes were hitting over 30mph so we did not overheat in the blazing 16ºC temps.
We did enjoy the downhill to Altnaharra though.
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We stopped for tea and cake at a BB in Altnaharra. Big mugs, great cake - if you're going that way look out for a sign saying "Tea & toilet", you won't be disappointed.
At the end of Loch Naver we came across one poor chap who was having so much trouble with the wind, he'd walked the previous 20km pushing his bike. We didn't have the heart to tell him that there were some really steep hills coming his way. He looked about ready to chuck his highly expensive and desirable bike into the scenery.
Thereafter it was head down and grind away, sometimes being blown across the road, but generally enjoying ourselves.
We had another non-feeding opportunity at Bettyhill. The cafe at the bottom of the descent was also closed. Luckily my saddlebag contains a goodly amount of Snickers bars for such emergencies.
It's amazing how much business these places are missing because the NC500 route is hooching with travellers already.
We were running out of steam by the time we reached Thurso, but we had so much time up our sleeves we stopped for coffee and cake with only about 10 miles to go.
Any how the 200km got completed well under the audax allocated time, which wasn't bad going on a 3 speed.
Pity I hadn't put in for a brevet card as well. 🙂
Those Pompinos are a brilliant bike. Steady as a rock in poor conditions and comfortable on the long haul.
At the end of Loch Naver we came across one poor chap who was having so much trouble with the wind, he’d walked the previous 20km pushing his bike
Was it a red Thorn Raven?
He said expensive AND desirable.
Sounds a nice ride.
scotroutes
Was it a red Thorn Raven?
Red Thorn Raven with shiny red Rohloff and about 100 spacers and the longest steerer I've seen on a bike. Ton of luggage.
Whole thing looked brand new.
Very ungruntled. His riding position made him like a sail, and seeing as the waves were crashing on Loch Naver and it was covered in whitecaps, not the best option for cutting through the wind.
Later on I Jamie and I both felt a bit worried about him but it was too late to turn back.
Know him?
I dropped him off at JOG on Friday afternoon. He is heading for Lands End over the course the next 4 weeks. I did suggest he might want to consider reducing his load and posting some stuff home. Nice fella. I hope the wind eases off a bit.
He'll be fit when he gets there... 🙂
And full marks for undertaking that ride.
Sounds like a great day out!
Cafe opening times really puzzle me. Even in the Lakes, almost everything non-pub on the main routes shut just as all the hungry outdoor people are heading home.
SA hubs are amazingly capable. I did admit defeat using one on the mtb in Austrian Alps.
Just rebuilt an Alfine into a 700c for my work bike. Currently fixie, trying to make the transition so that commute is a daily steady utility bike rather than a flat out blast 3 days a week. If successful, next step will be a hub dynamo before winter.
Good work gents. Was a fine day to be out in the Highlands yesterday.
