Page 113 - RSDG Year of 2021 CREST

ish the team. Quiet single-track roads led the SCOTS DG all the way to Altnaharra in the highlands of the North West coast and onwards to Crask Inn, a solitary 200-year old building which offered the first “proper coffee” ~ 3.5 hours in to the start of the 162 km day. After reaching Lairg, where fatigue was beginning to be more and more evident in the team, the riders had a second wind and carried out a blistering descent from the highlands to the east coast, maintaining speeds of around 25-30mph for most of the stretch. After the longest day, everyone was happy again to see the flag flying above the campsite. It was straight into the sea for most of the team, the cool waters soothing the legs; and a cool drink, delicious in the knowledge that there were just 81 of the 516 miles of the route left.
Starting at 0800 on the final day, the team set off in two groups once again to cover the final 131km into Inverness and the finish. The groups set off back up the Dornoch Firth, aiming for Bonar bridge and the hills of Rosshire. The team descended onto the Cromarty Firth, crossing on the A9 Bridge and then broke away once again from the heavy NC500 traffic onto the Black Isle with a lunch break to be taken at Cromarty. After a substantial fuelling, the teams climbed the spine of the isle to reach the coast of the Moray Firth. On reach- ing the coast, and in sight of Inverness, any lingering fatigue melted away and the groups coalesced at the Kessock Bridge, with the finish in grasp. Once again, three disparate groups became a substantial Peleton - SCOTS DG Jerseys riding through the Highland city. The team climbed gently up the hill trying their best to communicate an aura that stated: “that was easy”, the only disruption being an unanticipated parking barrier! Roused by the sound of the lone piper stood outside the castle, the team savoured the experience of the 500 miles of glorious coastline, cavernous glens, and climbs requiring just dogged determination to
summit. The enjoyment garnered from experiencing this route on two wheels and under one’s own steam cannot be understated, as it’s easy to maintain a con- nection with the environment that some miss in the normal method of travel. The riders rode 850km in total, or 528 miles, climbed 9,489m, spent about 33 hours in the saddle and consumed untold amounts of pasta, oats, tunnocks wafers and cans of Irn Bru.
Enormous thanks must go to SSgt David Steel for organising this challenge from start to finish, and all those who supported him. The ride could not have been done, without the four volunteers who comprised the support team: Cpl Maule, Cpl Kennedy, Cpl Daly and LCpl Druavesi; they sustained the team and drove countless extra miles confirming the campsite loca- tions without the same opportunity to enjoy the route along the way.
The 528 miles spent in determined, positive and pleas- ant company was certainly a suitable way to mark the 50th Anniversary of the SCOTS DG.
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The squad