Nokia Scotland Coast to Coast Race
19th September 2010

Sunday was beginning to dawn clear on the seafront at Nairn as 40 athletes in the ‘expert’ class and support crews assembled for the inaugural Nokia Scotland Coast to Coast race, 100+ miles along the Great Glen from Nairn to Ballachulish by foot, bike and kayak - http://www.scotlandcoasttocoast.com/index.html .  At 6.15 we were off joining a path running along the east bank of the river Nairn gently uphill for 7 miles to the first transition at Cawdor castle ( http://connect.garmin.com/activity/50340062 ).  I settled in to an easy pace behind a group of 4 including Mark (Pryor) along the mostly single track path.  A rainbow ahead over Cawdor heralded a change in the weather.

A quick change to cycling shoes/helmet and it was onto the bike (CX with road tyres for this stage), destination Lower Foyers on the south bank of Loch Ness.  The route followed almost empty minor roads, passing under the A9 to join the B851.  (http://connect.garmin.com/activity/50340063 )  The undulating course gradually trended uphill for 25 miles taking us up above cloud/mist shrouding the valley to our right.  For 13 miles I saw no one.  After 29 miles we turned off onto a narrow twisting gravel strewn road dropping sharply to Inverfarigaig by Loch Ness, I felt decidedly chilly by the bottom.  A short stretch along the shore took us to transition where I was relieved to find my support (Kath) with kayak waiting ready for the onward 11 mile paddle.

A strong wind from the wrong direction could have made the paddle very unpleasant or potentially ‘no go’.  Luckily we’d hit a quiet window in the run of stormy weather and the wind was light although there was still a 1-2ft following chop in places threatening to turn the boat off line. (http://connect.garmin.com/activity/50340065 )  Rounding the promontory at Foyers the Loch stretched away into mist, a line of paddlers was strung out ahead of me disappearing into the distance.  Eventually the get out became visible and after 2 hours I was ashore.  Mark had pulled back 5 min on the paddle and we started the 600m run to the bike transition together.

Reunited with my bike, now with X tyres the next stage started off along the Caledonian canal towpath. (http://connect.garmin.com/activity/50340067  ).  After 4 miles we turned up into the woods on muddy single track which had been well churned by the several hundred competitors in the challenge class earlier in the day.  5 miles later a steep twisty path dropped us briefly onto the road, before 10 miles of gravel track along Loch Lochy returned us to tarmac for the stretch to Claggan.   My relief at escaping the off-road challenges unscathed was brief.  With 11 miles to go a gear change was accompanied by a bang and the pedals span uselessly, both the chain and the gear hanger had broken.  Wedging the derailleur into the brake stirrup I set off to walk/run/scoot the rest of the way to transition. A steady stream of competitors passed offering help, including Mark who let Kath know I’d be later than planned arriving.  It took about 90min to complete the section.  I managed to briefly catch 3 others again waiting for the swing bridge at Banavie to close!

Rid of the bike there was just the 15 mile run to Loch Leven and the ‘hard work’ would be over.  (http://connect.garmin.com/activity/50340071 )  It was disconcerting to discover the route starting up the Ben Nevis path (for 2 miles and 170m of ascent) before turning to drop steeply on a path repaired with boulders/rocks to the bottom of Glen Nevis again.  It then picked up the West Highland Way climbing steadily for 3 miles and then levelling out for an undulating 6 miles mostly on gravel track/path to the turn off towards Ballachulish.  Emerging from the forest the ‘damp’ headwind was chilly.  The marshal at the turn gave everyone the good news that there was only 4 miles to go.  First a river to ford, then  a climb of 200m over 2 miles to the top of the ridge before 450m of exhilarating boggy descent over 1 mile to the road and the waiting kayaks.  Just after the downhill started I was aware of a greeting from Mark as I passed him but was concentrating too hard on the route to look round.

A mile of mirror flat water to kayak across the loch, (http://connect.garmin.com/activity/50340074 ) a short run round the peninsular, (http://connect.garmin.com/activity/50340075 -forgot to press stop!) to the finish line and with a final dib of the timing chip the race was over.  Unfortunately Kath was still making the journey round from the previous transition.  Perhaps next time they could add another mile to the paddle to allow more time for this?

A big thank you to Kath and everyone else who offered support and encouragement during the race.  In many ways the support crews had a harder time than the competitors. The transitions were often not straightforward, the weather not good for standing around and the main roads surprisingly busy.  All in all a superb, testing course with great scenery and camaraderie.  Back next year? – I hope so.

Times

Andy Kemp competed in the racer class (for which the organisers arranged support) involving a longer bike ride through to Fort Augustus and only a short paddle.  Unfortunately he just missed the cut off at Claggan.

Richard

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