As LTDC leaves the sunny beaches of Majorca in its wake; LTDC 2015 brings a far bigger challenge – The Tour of Scotland. I gruelling C220 mile two day ride, crossing the highlands, lowlands and some of the most spectacular and dramatic scenery that will make Mawdor look like childsplay.
When you come to a day like this you know why you do it all… You will meet each other in the street in 30 years times and there will just be a look… and you will know just how special somedays in your life are… Sir Ian McGeechan (1997 Lions Tour)
The tour will be its longest route ever tipping over the 200 mile mark. We will begin this epic journey in Inverness, leaving at the crack of dawn heading South West to Loch Ness, warming up with a couple of quad burning climbs taking us up to the Loch @ 2000ft.
Stage two brings a long flat section across the shore of Loch ness, where the peloton will really pick up the pace. If Majorca is anything to go on, fresh legs on day one the peloton should be averaging a rip roring 30-35km up to Fort Augustus.
From fort to fort the peloton will stop for a well earned lunch stop in fort William on the Friday lunchtime, before leaving the flats behind and working our way up into the Grampian Mountain range, skirting Ben Nevis before arriving at a small village tucked away in the mountains for Friday evening, to get down some grub and watch the English smash Figi in the world cup opener.
Saturday will bring a chilly 6am awakening to don the shammy cream and get back in the saddle for the second day of Le tour – heading to our final destination, the home of Hoy – Edinburgh.
We will take the Highland Highway across the Loch Lomond National park, before dropping back down to sea level for the final charge across the flats of Bannockburn for a well deserved pint of Buckfast and a battered mars bar as we cross the line.
Then as with years before, swap lyrca for loafers and its really time to see who wears the yellow jersey – sink down a wee dram or two and toast to another successful tour.
