highlands - The Cycling Co

ETape Caledonia – Scotland Cycling

The 2022 Etape Caledonia is the 15th year of this well known closed road sportive, which is open to up to 5,000 participants.

Credited as being the first closed roads sportive in the UK, the 85 mile route (134km) takes in the beauty of Perthshire through forest line roads and rolling hills and is a memorable day on a bike.

Starting and finishing in Pitlochry, the highlights of the route include the beautiful Lochs Tummel and Ranoch and the famous climb of Schiehallion. Total climbing on the 85 mile route is 1,630 metres (5,347 feet).

There is also a considerably less challenging 40 mile route, which avoids the climb of Schiehallion.

There is a strong charity fund raising element to the event with Marie Curie the most widely supported charity among Etape Caledonia participants.

The fastest recorded time for the 2018 Etape Caledonia was Jeremy Honor who completed in 3:40:13. 2,208 riders completed the 85 mile route while 339 completed the 40 mile route (winning time was Lukasz Olejnik in 2:00:04). The slowest time for the 85 mile route was 7:25:02.

Original Closed-Roads Sportive
Etape Caledonia is a closed-road ride taking place on Sunday 15 May 2022. With 5,000 places on offer each year, this sell-out event attracts riders from all over the country to take on one of the most breath-taking rides through the spectacular Scottish Highlands.

Take on either the 85 or 40 mile closed-road routes. The two Etape Caledonia routes take in the best of what the Highlands has to offer. Winding roads, tree-lined avenues, Lochs, mountains and everything in between.

ETAPE CALEDONIA 85 MILE
from £79.99
15 MAY
The UK’s Original Closed-road Sportive through the Scottish Highlands taking place on 15th May 2022. 85 miles of closed road cycling beginning in Pitlochry. The course consists of rolling hills and forest-lined roads around Loch Rannoch and Loch Tummel, combined with the demanding, twisting climb of Mt Schiehallion.

ETAPE CALEDONIA 40 MILE
from £45
15 MAY
The UK’s Original Closed-road Sportive through the Scottish Highlands taking place on 15th May 2022. A 40 mile option of closed road cycling beginning in Pitlochry. The course brings in some challenges, but takes out the steep climb of Schiehallion.

Muck n’ Mac Fest – Scotland Cycling

Outsider Events are excited to welcome Muck n’ Mac Fest!

2 Days of Gravel +MTB ~ Live Music ~Talks ~ DJ Sets ~ Film Yoga ~ Family Friendly Activities ~ Camping

Muck n’ Mac Fest is a weekend of Gravel Riding, live music, beer, yoga and family friendly activities. All of this is staged at Traquair House – Scotland’s oldest inhabited house which happens to based next to the finest gravel Trail’s the Tweed valley has to offer!

Staged in the grounds of Scotland’s oldest inhabited Home, Traquair House will host the inaugural festival in 2022.

Nestled in the heart of the Tweed Valley, Traquair just so happens to be the gateway to some of the finest gravel riding the country has to offer! Over the course of the weekend, riders will take on 6 timed stages, which are accumulated in a GC format for the overall. In between, the clock stops running, giving riders the opportunity to kick back, have a blether and take in the rolling hills of the Borders that surround.

The weekend is as much about riding as the time off the bike. Our festival village has an amazing mix of activities on offer. Expect to see; live music, film, event partner expo, camping, yoga, bar areas, mixed catering experiences and various family friendly activities around the grounds of the house.

Muck n’ Mac Fest is a unique gravel riding festival weekend – all staged at Traquair House in the heart of the Tweed Valley.

The festival features two fantastic days of Gravel riding across some of the most epic gravel trails and roads the country has to offer.

Both days riding start and finish at the festival Village at Traquair House and each feature multiple Enduro-style timed stages. Once you’ve completed the ride, you’ll be treated to an array of live music from Friday through to Sunday.

With a carefully selected a line up of artists to keep you entertained all weekend. We appreciate that riding isn’t for everyone. With this in mind, we have a range of activies geared toward familes. Alongside the live music expect to see various activities such as Yoga classes, introductory bike sessions for kids and adults, camping and much more!

78 km (48 miles)

ETape Loch Ness – Scotland Cycling

The Etape Loch Ness, is a 66-mile (106km) cycle sportive held on fully closed roads around the stunning shores of iconic Loch Ness in the Scottish Highlands.

Loch Ness is one of the world’s best known destinations, its breath-taking scenery and the centuries-old myth and mystery of the Loch Ness monster have attracted visitors from around the world for years.

Cyclists now have the opportunity to cycle a 360° route on traffic free roads around the loch, starting and finishing in the historic Highland capital of Inverness. In 2019, 5600 took part in this exciting event. There is a timed King of the Mountain stage on leaving Fort Augustus with a 4.8mile / 9km climb gaining 380m in height and at times with a gradient reaching 12%.

The event offers a fantastic challenge with unrivalled scenery on traffic free roads, so whether you’re a seasoned cyclist or a newcomer looking for your first sportive it is a not to be missed opportunity.

The Bealach Beag 43 Miles – Scotland Cycling

The Bealach is the UK’s biggest road climb with an ascent of 626m from sea level in just 10km. It is set in a fabulous unspoilt landscape with outstanding views of the sea and hills. The Applecross Peninsula is renowned as a gem in Scotland’s crown of natural wonders. The idea of a sportive belongs to local cycling legend Clifford Davidson.

The event was first run in the summer of 2006 and it was immediately obvious that had captured the imagination of cyclists of all standards. Shortly after, due to demand, we introduced a 2nd shorter option which also included the opportunity to climb the big one! Bealach Mor retains the original route of 90 miles and the Bealach Beag introduced a shorter distance of 43 miles.

72KM

1426M OF ASCENT

The route will take you south east from the picturesque village of Shieldaig down through Glen Shieldaig to Tornapress. Things get tough now as the road swings sharply upward for the main climb to Bealach-na-Ba. The section of road from Tornapress up the Bealach and down to Applecross campsite is closed for the event. The reward is great as a massive vista over the west coast and the Isle of Skye opens before you as you plunge down to sea level again at Applecross. The hard work is not over as the next section around the north of the peninsula has hardly any flat as it clings to the coast, past rocky cliffs and sandy coves. Finally you return to charming Sheildaig nestling in the shelter of its loch. There the enthusiastic locals will assure you a warm highland welcome (and some good grub!)

The Bealach is the UK’s biggest road climb with a 626m ascent from sea level in just 10km. It is set in a fabulous unspoilt landscape with outstanding views of the sea and the hills. The Applecross Peninsula is renowned as a gem in Scotland’s crown of natural wonders. The 78km route will take you south east from the picturesque village of Shieldaig down through Glen Shieldaig to Tornapress.

Things get tough now as the road swings sharply upward for the main climb to Bealach-na-Ba. The section of road from Tornapress up the Bealach and down to Applecross campsite is closed for the event.

The reward is great as a massive vista over the west coast and the Isle of Skye opens before you as you plunge down to sea level again at Applecross. The hard work is not over as the next section around the north of the peninsula has hardly any flat as it clings to the coast, past rocky cliffs and sandy coves. Finally you return to charming Sheildaig nestling in the shelter of its loch. You are assured of a warm highland welcome (and some good grub!) from the locals.

There will be a timing station at the bottom of the Bealach and another at the top. If you want your time on the climb recorded and be eligible to compete to become the Highlands answer to Chris Froome you must stop and ‘dib’ at both!

The Bealach Mor 90 Miles – Scotland Cycling

BEALACH MOR ROUTE AND ROAD CLOSURE

144KM

2,100 M OF ASCENT

The route will take you east from Kinlochewe near beautiful Loch Maree to the wide canvass of Achnasheen and its surrounding hills. From there you head south on a fine new road down through Glen Carron to the sea at picturesque Lochcarron. Things get tough now as the road swings sharply upward for the main climb to Bealach-na-Ba. The section of road from Tornapress up the Bealach and down to Applecross campsite is closed for the event.

The reward is great as a massive vista over the west coast and the Isle of Skye opens before you as you plunge down to sea level again at Applecross. The hard work is not over as the next section around the north of the peninsula has hardly any flat as it clings to the coast, past rocky cliffs and sandy coves. Finally you pass through the charming village of Sheildaig nestling in the shelter of its loch and the final section begins. Weary legs will be revived through rugged Glen Torridon overshadowed by the massive craggy bulk of Liatach and its sisters on the famous ridge. Finally, relief is at hand with a gentle descent back to the finish at Kinlochewe.

Highland Perthshire Challenge – Scotland Cycling

The Highland Perthshire Challenge

Join us at the Highland Perthshire Challenge for your choice of 50 mile or 100 mile routes.

As always, you’ll experience some amazing scenery, a friendly volunteer team, and excellent refreshments along the way!

The Highland Perthshire Challenge 50 mile route is a more modest cycling challenge. The route takes in the historic Scottish towns of Blairgowrie, Dunkeld, and Pitlochry. It also passes notable landmarks such as the Meikleour Beech Hedge, the Birk’s of Aberfeldy, and lots of famous bridges.

The route starts and ends of Scone Airfield, just north of Perth. The Airfield has ample car parking and toilets. Accommodation, a restaurant and a cafe are available on site.

The Highland Perthshire Challenge 100 is a challenging 100 mile route.

Taking in the historic Scottish towns of Blairgowrie, Dunkeld, and Pitlochry, as well as passing notable landmarks such as the Meikleour Beech Hedge, the Birk’s of Aberfeldy, and lots of famous bridges.

The route starts and ends at Scone Airfield, just north of Perth. The Airfield has ample car parking and toilets. Accommodation, a restaurant, and a cafe are available on site.