Into the Highlands: Finalising the Routes for Gravel North

We took a chance in “summer” months to reccie some of the routes and finalise our plans for this year’s test event. I say “summer” in parentheses because, well, it’s Scotland and those in the know will agree that given it’s July; rain and cold was on the menu! On the positive side we concluded that one of the wettest summers on record for the Highlands this year is even better for our testing. If we can ride the routes in the wind and rain, then we can ride them in anything. That’s the glass half full mindset anyway…!

After a long drive we parked up, got our kit sorted for a long weekend and set off on what will be the longest stage. 140k and 2,000m of elevation. While the weather gods were against us, Highlands in summer means daylight almost 24 hours so with no worries of darkness we headed north and then west into the wilderness. We haven’t been around the Wyvis range before and the gravel was absolutely first rate superb. Almost 60k of super well-maintained princess gravel.

A quick stop for sandwiches after 65k to take in the stunning views of the glens and lochs and we pressed on to the west coast aiming to hit the local shop in the village near our estate before it closed at 8pm. Unfortunately, even though we time trialled the last 20k, we arrived at 8.01pm and despite banging on the door offering cash were refused service! Something about the tills being closed. Covered in gravel and mud we decided not to try and get a table at the restaurant in the village and opted for whatever food was left in our bags from the day, bread and beer for dinner.

The feeling you get when you arrive at the estate is hard to put into words. No matter the weather, the sheer natural beauty juxtaposed with the tranquillity of the setting always fills the soul and it’s important always to take a moment to breathe to appreciate the privilege. A special, special place.

Part of this trip recon was to design a crit course around the estate and after lots of loops and thinking we came up with a really cool 1.8k predominantly flat lap with one little rise and lots of twists and turns – we are calling it the “North Grit Crit” and it’ll be something we do on an evening for a bit of fun. We can’t wait to give this one a proper go! It’s like a real authentic kermesse race, through gaps between buildings, only on gravel. We’ve decided that any man who can beat Jonny will get a special prize…! (He’s not very good at cornering so we think a lot of people might win this!) For the women there’s a harder task in beating Sophie Wright as she most definitely CAN corner, but the prize will still be there.

Day two brought quite a bit of rain and – as we’ve already said – seeing the positive side of testing some of the routes in the rain, we set off for lots of loops around estate roads and further afield.

Linking gravel roads in the Highlands can be challenging – lots of dead ends – if the forestry trucks or estate owners don’t need a loop then they don’t build them. We’re guessing there aren’t many cycling fanatics who own estates! But with a bit of creativity the routes are there to be had and the challenge as well as racing nature of the routes we think will appeal to all.

The only caveat being the mountain top finish which involves a stage with an 80k loop and around 1,000m of climbing before a tough 6k climb rising over 300m in that distance. We’re calling it “North Roads” but it’s one to pinpoint for people wanting to make the difference on GC. For those riding at a more sedate pace it provides breathtaking 360 degree panoramic views of the Highlands in one direction and the Isle of Skye in another, and, if you squint, Ireland!

And then, after another successful set of reccies we turned in ready for the long ride over East with the wind on our backs the next day.

A great trip and now we gear up for the test event…