Route preview Part four - Oykel Bridge to Fort Augustus

Any riders needing shelter after Oykel Bridge would do well to press on to the Schoolhouse bothy which is not much further on and quite well appointed. Most of the route to Ullapool is good double track but there is one section in the near Loch an Daimh which is a bit of indistinct singletrack with a steep drop to the left that requires care and attention. In May, the descent to Ullapool is typically covered in vast swathes of gorse and it is a wonderful bit of riding as the technical descent, the sea views and the colour and scent of the gorse all combine in a delightful way.

You should expect to see most dots stop for at least a short while in Ullapool as it is a key resupply point in this stage of the race and riders will need to ensure they have enough to last them through Fisherfield.

After a short road stretch riders hit the Coffin Road (aka the Fisherfield prologue). This is a very steep hike-a-bike climb and it is one that encourages contemplation on how much kit is being carried and whether it is all necessary. In the dry, the top is rideable. In the wet, it is a swampy peat bog and heavy going. Either way the descent to Dundonnell is a treat but it is hard to ignore what is about to come.

The route passes the well known Shenavall bothy which is just before the notorious river crossing. It is here that the weather can really play a difference. In the dry, this can be little more than tyre deep but in wet conditions it can be waist deep. When it is like this the dark, black water looks daunting and it takes a degree of commitment to make the crossing. Having got this out of the way, it is time for riders to tackle the steep, rocky Gleann na Muice Beag. This is hard going hike-a-bike and the dots will not be moving quickly here. Next up is the postman’s path from Letterewe to Kinlochewe. This begins with a nice double track that quickly peters out and leaves the riders on a narrow track the contours along a steep slope. It is slow going and tough work. Riders will be on and off their bikes and dots will not move quickly along here. They will be glad to reach Kinlochewe if they arrive during opening hours as there is a resupply here.

After Kinlochewe it is up and over to Achnashellach. Once down and on the road there is time for riders to contemplate what they have just completed. It is the most challenging section of the whole route and combines remoteness with challenging riding and extended sections of hike-a-bike.

The next rendezvous with hike-a-bike comes at Kintail after Dornie with the long drag to the head of Glen Affric. Camban bothy is at the top and it would be a huge surprise if some dots didn’t linger here for a rest or sleep. Glen Affric is the longest in Scotland and takes the riders down a good doubletrack towards Tomich. If a few dots appear to have gone off route here: don’t worry, they have probably gone to the hotel there for a bite to eat to fuel themselves for the pylon climb and the section of General Wade’s military road into Fort Augustus. The descent into town is great and riders will roll back into Fort Augustus with a grin on their faces and most dots will stop here for resupply.