epicyclo
Senior Retro Guru
Mark Stevens of the Veteran Bike club is trying to organise this event. It's a must do if only for the scenery. Should be a great weekend.
He's setting up a web site and I'll keep the info coming if he doesn't come here direct.
Edit: Looks like it's on. He'll be looking for a couple of volunteers to help with organising it.
The Italians objected to the name so henceforth it will be called The Bravo Scozia Ride or The Bravo for short
He's setting up a web site and I'll keep the info coming if he doesn't come here direct.
are you familiar with the concept of The Hero Ride? The famous one is L'Eroica in Tuscany. I am planning a Scottish version next June 7-8th 2014. Starting in Strathpeffer and going 60 miles mostly offroad through wild uninhabited glens to Ullapool via Croick. There will be water stops and a lunch stop about half way with fresh Scottish food. The catch is, in true Hero style, you are requested to ride an ancient bike. Wearing tartan or tweeds. Hero points will be awarded for the most stylish ensemble of bike and rider for a cool prize to be awarded at the evening Ceilidh in Ullapools' famous Ceilidh place. Overnight camping or hotel and then back over the next day.
There will be a 16 mile Family and Antique bike ride up to Little Garve and back. There is the Victorian Day village festival ongoing in Strathpeffer on the 7th so the short ride will be able to enjoy that for the afternoon and then have the option of driving over to Ullapool for the Ceilidh.
BIKES. The suggested cut off date for bikes is 1987. This follows guidelines laid down years ago by other Hero rides. No carbon or aluminium frames, no suspension except seat posts, no clip less pedals. So old roadsters, old road bikes and early steel MTBs are suggested but to start with these rules will be flexible.
CLOTHING. No Lycra please. Muted toned down retro woollen tops, tartans and tweeds are suggested to keep the Heroic flavour. Raid your local charity shop and ride in Retro style. We are recalling the old days when races were on unmade roads and riders carried spare tubes around their shoulders and googles on their cloth caps to keep the dust out. Helmets are optional but if taking photos of your mates ask them to take them off and hide them! Leather "hairnet" helmets are popular.
TERRAIN. Forestry fire roads, Tarmac lanes, Estate Land Rover tracks, a field, stream crossings of various sizes, hill paths through rugged Glens. 3 main road crossings A852 Garve to Ullapool road. It's been ridden in 7 hours on a suspension MTB.
CAMPING. There is a campsite right on the seafront in Ullapool a stones throw from the Ceilidh place. Plenty of other accommodation. Hotels, B&B etc. There will be transport for your camping gear from Strathpeffer.
REGISTRATION. Cost has yet to be finalised but about £50 per head.
Edit: Looks like it's on. He'll be looking for a couple of volunteers to help with organising it.
The Italians objected to the name so henceforth it will be called The Bravo Scozia Ride or The Bravo for short