How many people here will attend this event?
I'm new to cycling and starting to train. Will slowly build up to weekend rides of around 70km (mostly around the peak district) and attend the gym/spinning classes during the week.
I’m curious about how others are preparing. Are there any recommended routes in England that would be ideal for training for this event?
The route itself appears to cover about 30 miles to the halfway point, followed by a challenging climb from Fort Augustus to the Glendoe Summit!
Etape Loch Ness 2025
Re: Etape Loch Ness 2025
I’m signed up, having been persuaded by friends.
I haven’t done anything specific yet, but I’m trying get 70 miles a week in, with some longer rides at weekends. I do HIIT once a week at the gym and yoga at a local village hall. I shall endeavour to have ridden a couple of 70/80 mile rides with big hills before the event and take it easier in the few days before.
I haven’t done anything specific yet, but I’m trying get 70 miles a week in, with some longer rides at weekends. I do HIIT once a week at the gym and yoga at a local village hall. I shall endeavour to have ridden a couple of 70/80 mile rides with big hills before the event and take it easier in the few days before.
Two wheels preferred.
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SimonCelsa
- Posts: 1343
- Joined: 6 Apr 2011, 10:19pm
Re: Etape Loch Ness 2025
Being local I try and compete this ride every year. I've entered 8 so far and each time I aim to finish within 3.5hrs, but unfortuantely have never achieved that goal. My best time so far being just shy of 3hr 45m. Outwith the Etape, if I ride this circuit solo it would take me about 5 hours, you certainly get a good pull along the route with 5000 other riders.
Basically I am a 'bloke on a bike' as opposed to a spandex warrior and this is the only event I enter (apart from the odd audax).
It is a well organized, scenic & fairly benign route. However the hill out of Fort Augustus is a bit of a burner and each year without fail I am battling pretty severe leg cramps half way up the bugger. If I could find some way of eliminating this cramping then I would possibly attain my finishing time goal. However I think the cramp is purely due to overstressing the legs - I usually ride at quite a sedate pace and rarely have any compulsion to 'go faster'.
If you want to enter then enter early - the places fill up rapidly - usually within a couple of days of being released. Once all general entry spaces are filled then you can generally get in with a charity entry although you have to pledge £150 in charity sponsorship.
Basically I am a 'bloke on a bike' as opposed to a spandex warrior and this is the only event I enter (apart from the odd audax).
It is a well organized, scenic & fairly benign route. However the hill out of Fort Augustus is a bit of a burner and each year without fail I am battling pretty severe leg cramps half way up the bugger. If I could find some way of eliminating this cramping then I would possibly attain my finishing time goal. However I think the cramp is purely due to overstressing the legs - I usually ride at quite a sedate pace and rarely have any compulsion to 'go faster'.
If you want to enter then enter early - the places fill up rapidly - usually within a couple of days of being released. Once all general entry spaces are filled then you can generally get in with a charity entry although you have to pledge £150 in charity sponsorship.
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VinceLedge
- Posts: 664
- Joined: 12 Dec 2020, 9:51am
Re: Etape Loch Ness 2025
I'm signed up for this year, just fancied it as it is route I wouldn't do without the road closure. I'm a regular cyclist so the distance and ascent isn't a particular issue.
If you don't regularly cycle longer distances I would suggest if you can comfortably ride 50-60miles then you shouldn't have a problem with the distance on the day.
If your local routes are hilly again you shouldn't have a problem, but if not then make sure you put some regular hills in your training.
Maybe see you there!
If you don't regularly cycle longer distances I would suggest if you can comfortably ride 50-60miles then you shouldn't have a problem with the distance on the day.
If your local routes are hilly again you shouldn't have a problem, but if not then make sure you put some regular hills in your training.
Maybe see you there!