|
 |
In a nutshell
|
|
Start
Finish
Countries
Stages
Rest days
|
:
:
:
:
:
|
Edinburgh, Scotland
Edinburgh, Scotland
Scotland
14 stages
Fort William, Inverness
|
 |
Total distance
Average distance
Total climbing
Average climbing
|
:
:
:
:
|
1.600 km
114 km
18.500 meters
1.300 meters
|
1000 miles
71 miles
61.000 feet
4.350 feet
|
Road condition
Period
Accommodation
Price
Discount
|
:
:
:
:
: |
100% paved
Friday April 15th, 2022
Saturday April 30th, 2022
17 hotel nights
€ 3.995,-
€ 200,- for early registration |
Description
Ask anyone what springs to mind when you mention
"Scotland" and it'll likely to be one of tartan, kilts,
bagpipes or whisky. But why not "cycling"?
The country harbours one of the largest wildernesses
left in Western Europe, the Highlands. A wonderful
cycling region. A destination where golden eagles soar
above mysterious freshwater lakes, where winding roads
roll up and down between jagged mountains, through
quaint fishing villages, along medieval castles and
smoky whisky distilleries, and where desolate stone
fortresses looming in the mist. Every corner of this
every-changing landscape is steeped in the past with
infamous battles and gripping legends. The Highlands
really is the Scotland of your imagination. We would
like to welcome you in the Highlands 100 Hills.
We start and finish our loop in the capital of Scotland,
Edinburgh. Thanks to its spectacular
rocks, rustic buildings and a huge collection of
medieval and classic architecture, it is often
considered one of the most lively cities in Europe. A
city of high culture and lofty ideals, of art and
literature, philosophy and science. Scottish people also
called it "Athens of the North" and "Britain's Other
Eye".
Before we head north to the Highlands, we include
Glasgow in our journey. It's roughly 50
miles to the west and is reached by small quiet roads
through lowland meadows. The largest city of Scotland is
on a par with its eastern sibling Edinburgh for historic
significance and attractions. The city - always proud of
its working-class background - also innovatively
displays its industrial heritage, while modern
buildings, many along the Clyde River, have quickly
become local icons.
Soon after we have left the metropolises, the scenery
changes completely. Architecture, botanical gardens and
busy city life are replaced by lochs (lakes), bens
(mountains) and glens (valleys). And that for almost the
entire rest of the tour. We cycle along Loch Lomond in
the direction of Glen Coe; Scotland's
most famous valley is also one of its grandest and - in
bad weather - its grimmest. The approach to the glen is
guarded by the rocky pyramid of Buachaille Etive Mor.
The road threads its way past deep gorges, crashing
waterfalls and amid towering mountain scenery before we
arrive in Fort William. The town in the
shadow of Britain's highest peak, Ben Nevis, has carved
out a reputation as the "Outdoor Capital of the UK"
which makes it a magnet for hikers and climbers. An
ideal spot for a first rest day.
We head further west to Mallaig and pedal parallel to
one of world's greatest train journeys, the legendary
West Highland Line. The historic
Jacobite Steam Train passes over the iconic Glenfinnan
Viaduct, offers sweeping views of the Highlands and is
known to millions as the railway that Harry Potter took
all the way to Hogwarts, the fictional British boarding
school of magic.
Talking about magic: we catch a ferry in Mallaig and
cross the Sound of Sleat to make our way to the
fairylike sceneries of the Isle of Skye.
In a country famous for fabulous landscapes, the Isle of
Skye takes top prize. From craggy peaks and bizarre
pinnacles to miles of spectacular coastline, there is a
new photo opportunity awaiting us at almost every curve.
Many turns and magnificent scenery are also waiting for
us when we climb the Bealach na Bà,
meaning "the pass of the cattle". This twisting,
single-track road through the mountains of the
Applecross peninsula rises 626 metres above sea level
and is Scotland's most challenging climb with gradients
up to 15%.
We keep on following the Northwest Highlands
Coastal Road all the way to Durness in the far
northwest corner. We cycle along isolated beaches,
enchanting lochs, crumbling ruins of castles and
wonderful bays where we might spot puffins. The road is
quiet and the landscape is desolate but stunningly
beautiful with big views in all directions.
After the most northern point we continue our loop and
head south through the largely uninhabited area in the
middle of northern Scotland. After eight consecutive
days of cycling, we arrive in the capital of the
Highlands, Inverness. It's time for a
well-deserved rest, and otherwise you can hunt for a
mysterious monster at the nearby Loch Ness.
South of Inverness we cross the broad plateau of the
Grampian Mountains which is only riven
by a few deep valleys. The mountain landscape of granite
and heather has a sub-Arctic climate and supports rare
alpine tundra vegetation and high-altitude bird species.
Back at sea level we arrive at the northern banks of the
River Tay and the city of Dundee. It's
the last stop before we finish our full loop through one
of the most beautiful countries of Europe.
The whole route follows well paved and mainly quiet
roads. You roll continuously up and down over dozens of
hills. Probably about a hundred, and maybe even more.
Hardly long, but sometimes pretty steep. It's probably
not the undulating profile that will scare you, but it
might be the unpredictable weather conditions that can
change an "easy day on paper" into a heroic day out in
the saddle. Good stories at the end of the day
guaranteed, with or without a glass of whisky.
We have chosen to start the tour in the second half of
April when the main tourist season hasn't begun yet and
annoying midges are still far away. April is a mild
month in Scotland and statistically, it's one of the
driest months of the year with an average daytime
temperatures between 9 and 13 degrees Celsius. It's
probably unnecessary to say, but it is always wise to
have a raincoat handy. Good or bad weather conditions;
we make sure that your engine keeps on running and that
every day a comfortable room with a warm shower is
waiting.
The 1st edition of the "Highlands 100 Hills" starts
Friday April 15th, 2022
in Edinburg. The finish lies after 16 days, 14 stages
and 1.600 attracting kilometres in the same city.
The Highlands 100 Hills is a great cycling journey
through the wild and wonderful landscapes of Scotland.
The tour offers the ultimate escape in one of the last
corners of Europe where you can still discover genuine
solitude. During the ride it might be lonely, superb and
heroic at the same time. After the ride it's warm and
cosy when you top your day off with the true flavour of
Scotland, a dram of single-malt whisky - rich, complex
and evocative. We can't offer a better Scottish
experience.
|
The credo of Bike Dreams is : "Life is not the
dreams you have, but the dreams you realize".
|
| |
|
|
