Race Report Hebridean Cycle Challenge from Stornoway to North Harris

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1 Race Report Hebridean Cycle Challenge from Stornoway to North Harris The Hebridean Cycle Challenge was the end of a two weeks long cycle tour through the Outer Hebrides. The proper training for the challenge started in Tarbert on Harris after the car was abandoned in Uig on Skye. The wind blew from the North and it was an easy cycle through the Uists and Barra. It took a while to get used to the weight of the panniers and balancing the bike when getting out of the saddle. The training got harder on the way back to Stornoway as the wind direction had not changed. Back on Harris I was looking forward to cycle part of the cycle route backwards to see what to expect on race day. The Clisham pass seemed easy enough even though I was carrying about 20 to 25kg in my panniers. At the bottom of the pass is Scaladale Centre where I left my panniers behind as we were not heading back to Stornoway after the race. With less luggage we made our way up to Stornoway fighting the strong head wind. Saturday morning arrived and one of the cyclists told us at the bunkhouse that one of his friends crashed on the Clisham Pass the day before and was in hospital with broken rips. Not the thing you wanted to hear on race morning but it made me use my breaks slightly more then usual on the decent to Miavaig. Stunning beaches with the hills for the run section in the background. Fresh seafood every day to build up strength.

2 Our transport and portable accommodation for most of the time. Road Bike Sections: Creed Park - Scaladale Centre Miavaig 33.6 miles The road bike section began south of Stornoway at the Creed Enterprise Park (Lewis) at 9.30am. The wind blew from the North which meant no head wind but I was cold when I started and my feet were numb until I ran down the first hill on the running route. The cycle followed the A859 south passing through Leurbost, Laxay, Balallan, Arivruaich and Bowglas before ending at the Scaladale Centre in Ardvourlie (Harris) which was the finish of the race. This section was 21.3 miles and had no major climbs. It was constantly undulating straight from the start. The second 12.3 mile section introduced some serious climbing over the pass below Clisham Hill and again on the single track road to Miavaig. The climbs felt easy because this time I cycled without all the panniers and no head wind. My rucksack with running shoes and gels was at transition. My bike was taken away and I started to take my helmet off and my jacket because by then I was roasting apart from my feet. I handed my stuff over and started running realising I still had my bike shoes on. Thankfully I realised and got my running shoes on. Cycle route

3 Getting ready at Creed Enterprise Park near Stornoway. At the start. I am in pink in the middle. There we go trying to heat up.

4 On the pass below Clisham Hill. The photographer Steven with Harris Hills in the background. Challenge Off Road Section: Miavaig to Bowglass 11 miles The route headed north right into a head wind following a gently rising and undulating track to Loch Voshmid at just over 4 miles from the start. The scenery was stunning and the sun came out as well. At the loch, we turned right onto a narrower and more naturally surfaced trail. The climbing started now (about 300m of climbing) and all the mountain bikers that passed me before had to get off their bikes and I started to chick on after another as they were all men. We had to cross a river with stepping stones therefore no wet feet. Near the 6 mile marker there was a short descent into a spectular corrie below Creag Chleistir but the route carried on up to the high point of the route at around 330m. The descent down to the river was quite rough because of the erosion to the trail. The descent finished at the river which was easy to cross by stepping stones. Another steep 140m climb followed where I chicked a male runner. From this point I knew the finish is not far and it is all downhill to the road. The road section to Scaladale Centre was just under half a mile long and I was looking forward to have my burger and a cup of tea at the finish. I made the race in 4hrs 6min (bike 1hrs 54min and run 2hrs 12 min). Most locals talked in Gaelic to each other and I felt a bit like I was abroad. The prize giving was not split into male and female as I was the only lady that raced over the whole distance. The winners got a big glass trophy which I could not have fit into any of my panniers anyway. I was 4th out of 5 people that did the solo cycle/run challenge. For all results and more pictures see

5 Run route The run route in blue.

6 Traffic jam on the running track. Not far from the finish heading towards the road. At the finish with Clisham pass in the background. The race was perfectly organised and the scenery was stunning. This was only the 2 nd year of the race and I was asked to come back next year. A race that everyone should try who loves off road running, road racing or even mountain biking through fabulous landscapes. Carina