Scotland Coast to Coast

Last weekend I completed the second iteration of Rat Race Adventure Sports’ ‘Scotland Coast to Coast’ race.  This one day epic traverses 105 miles across Scotland on foot, bike and kayak.

Registration was in  the eastern town of Nairn, the day prior to the start. It was advised to arrive in plenty of time as once you have signed on you must then take your bike to the first transition point.  This is easier done in daylight, especially when the bike in question is a tandem, as in the case of yours truly.  The Raleigh tandem was generous lent to us for the weekend by Mike’s Bikes of Aviemore.  The Thule bike transportation system certainly made unloading the bike efficient and easy in the dusky conditions.

There are three classes; Expert – solo with 10 extra miles kayaking; Racer – solo or pairs; Challenger – the most popular category, splitting the event over two days.  I was in a mixed pair in the Racer category.

The start was on the village green beside the beach of Nairn at the rather gloomy and anti-social hour of 0630.  We started the first 7 mile run as dawn rose fresh and rosy fingered above the glimmering North Sea.  The first leg was an easy run through the undulating farmland to the transition at Cawdor Castle; an easy start that lulled many into a false sense of ease.

We rolled out of Cawdor on the tandem with a 48 mile road ride ahead.  Legs nicely warmed by the run, we concentrated on hydrating and settling into a rhythm as made our way west.  The first 38 miles were gentle, but the road ramped steeply for 8 miles to a barren summit, before plunging down into Fort Augustus.

Fort Augustus was the second transition.  It was our first chance to meet up with our support crew and restock our Osprey packs.  At Fort Augustus we paddled a 2 mile kayak, then mounted our trusty tandem to tackle the 33 mile off road section.  The single-track on offer did not disappoint and would challenge even the most competent XC rider.  This made things especially interesting on our two seated steed, but we made it through without punctures.  A short road stint lead us into Fort William, where we said goodbye to the bike, fuelled up, and hit the trail on foot.

The last 14 miles of trail running involved bisecting 3 valleys, including part of the path to Ben Nevis; the UK’s highest peak.  This was the hardest part of the event.  We were 8 hours in, and keeping sugar and water levels up was tricky, although the task was made easier by the excellent Honey Stinger products we consumed throughout the event.

After battling for 4 hours, with my Salomon XT Wings 2 gripping the muddy slopes, we made it to the final leg; the kayak to the Isles of Glencoe Hotel. With the finish now within sight, our spirits were galvanised and we found the energy to scythe across the water. Crossing the line as the sun set, elation was quickly consumed by relief after 12 hours and 23 minutes of non-stop adventure.

Rat Race’s organisation was faultless, the course was superb, and I will be returning next year for what is fast becoming an essential event in the diary of any serious adventurer.