I might possibly be prejudiced against the climb in the etape direction - I have not done the Etape, but I have done Aberfeldy Middle Distance tri - you swim in Loch Tay, then cycle over the Schiehallion climb, round Loch Rannoch, back over the Schiehallion climb, and down to Aberfeldy for the run. So by the time I got to the return over Schiehallion I might have lost my sense of humour somewhat...
Etape Caledonia 2012 (etape virgin)
- Thread starter c4rver
- Start date
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There are a few water/food stops, one of which is at the bottom of Schiehallion.
My tip: DON'T STOP to fill your waterbottle/s here
My Reason; Why do you want to tackle the steepest part of the ride with the maximum weight on your bike ?
The Method: IIRC, there is a stop at Kinlochrannoch; fill up your bottles there.
I went charging past this, planning on stopping at the base of Schiehallion, which I did and topped up my 2 bottles. It was only as I grimped my way up the steepest part of the whole route that I thought to myself "why did you just stop and fill up all your bottles ?
They are only adding weight !" 
There is another water/fuel stop at the top of the climb, so you'll not go without !
My tip: DON'T STOP to fill your waterbottle/s here
My Reason; Why do you want to tackle the steepest part of the ride with the maximum weight on your bike ?
The Method: IIRC, there is a stop at Kinlochrannoch; fill up your bottles there.
I went charging past this, planning on stopping at the base of Schiehallion, which I did and topped up my 2 bottles. It was only as I grimped my way up the steepest part of the whole route that I thought to myself "why did you just stop and fill up all your bottles ?
They are only adding weight !" There is another water/fuel stop at the top of the climb, so you'll not go without !
Fubar
Guru
There are a few water/food stops, one of which is at the bottom of Schiehallion.
My tip: DON'T STOP to fill your waterbottle/s here
My Reason; Why do you want to tackle the steepest part of the ride with the maximum weight on your bike ?
The Method: IIRC, there is a stop at Kinlochrannoch; fill up your bottles there.
I went charging past this, planning on stopping at the base of Schiehallion, which I did and topped up my 2 bottles. It was only as I grimped my way up the steepest part of the whole route that I thought to myself "why did you just stop and fill up all your bottles ?
There is another water/fuel stop at the top of the climb, so you'll not go without !
Cheers David, good tips - if I make it to the top of Scheihallion I'll be a happy man!
Angus444
Senior Member
I did the route last Thursday, and had a headwind in every direction, and at every turn. Just one of those days when the wind changed every 10 minutes.......From Pitlochry to KR, I think I was passed by all of 6 vehicles, 2 of which were roads maintenance lorries. After Tummel Bridge, the surface is a bit patchy, but the guys were out in numbers and one I spoke to at the temp traffic lights said it would be all done and dusted for the big day... On the descent from Schiehallion to Coshieville, there is a fair bit of construction traffic, and the roads had a lot of mud on them...
Theo biggest problem I had last year and 2010, was the first 6 miles from Pitlochry to Queen's View, which is up-and-down, and crowded with folk jockeying to get past...I think a lot of people, me included, take a few miles to get used to the fact that it's a closed-roads event, and it's ok to be on the 'wrong' side...
I'm maybe biased, as I live relatively close, and I ride the roads regularly, but I think it's a great day, and you always get some good craic before, during, and after.....
Hope everyone has a good day....look out for that sharp left at Logierait....
Theo biggest problem I had last year and 2010, was the first 6 miles from Pitlochry to Queen's View, which is up-and-down, and crowded with folk jockeying to get past...I think a lot of people, me included, take a few miles to get used to the fact that it's a closed-roads event, and it's ok to be on the 'wrong' side...
I'm maybe biased, as I live relatively close, and I ride the roads regularly, but I think it's a great day, and you always get some good craic before, during, and after.....
Hope everyone has a good day....look out for that sharp left at Logierait....
zizou
Veteran
I think last year there was as street sweeper sent round the course the day before hopefully the same again, if there is mud on the descent from Schiehallion that is going to be a big safety problem!
zizou
Veteran
The closer we get the worse the weather is being forecast 
Now showing as heavy rain, strong south westerly at 21mph gusting to 40mph. The tailwind after Schiehallion should be good but that could be pretty tough for the first 40 miles or so. However with the closed roads maybe a chance to try some echelon riding which isnt normally possible to do safely in normal circumstances.
Now showing as heavy rain, strong south westerly at 21mph gusting to 40mph. The tailwind after Schiehallion should be good but that could be pretty tough for the first 40 miles or so. However with the closed roads maybe a chance to try some echelon riding which isnt normally possible to do safely in normal circumstances.
Fubar
Guru
The closer we get the worse the weather is being forecast
Now showing as heavy rain, strong south westerly at 21mph gusting to 40mph. The tailwind after Schiehallion should be good but that could be pretty tough for the first 40 miles or so. However with the closed roads maybe a chance to try some echelon riding which isnt normally possible to do safely in normal circumstances.
Oh joy!!
Strathlubnaig
Guru
- Location
- Alberta
Forecast is for 'seasonable' darkest Perthshire conditions, so time to man up and give it a good dose of rule 5. I am glad I was out getting some miles in all winter, should make it an average day oot.
