Your intrepid organisers thought it was time to pay their respects to the event.  A trip to Applecross for the Seafood and Music Festival seemed the ideal opportunity.

After a pleasant evening tasting the Applecross Inn's finest cuisine and brews, it was a late start on a blisteringly hot day.  Our plan was to ride out of Applecross, north round the Peninsula then south from Shieldaig for the 'short' loop back via the Bealach.  A kind breeze blew as along in fine style until we hit the first of many sharp hills that increased in gradient as you approach Shieldaig.  Anyone suffering cramps during the challenge will be off and walking here!  However, the views north and west are to die for and well worth the effort. Overall this will be the hardest 25 miles of the event.

After a  brief stop at Shieldaig for a welcome ice-cream, we battled the wind back south up a drag before swooping down to sea level and the start of the big climb.  The first couple of miles seem easy enough as the road snakes around to the corrie.  then gradually but incessantly the road straightens and steepens towards the Bealach.  It begins to hurt, then hurt a lot (especially if you're on 39x23 which I do not recommend!).

Eventually, you gain the switchbacks near the top and the gradient relents leaving only the 'sting in the tale' to the top.  Frankly, the heat and the gearing got the better of me and I suggest a cautious approach and a triple!

Once over the top you must be on you're mettle as the descent is extremely tricky to begin with.  Bike handling and good brakes are at a premium.  Now is not the time to skimp on tyres or blocks.  Further down one can relax a little and let the action flow, but remember, save a lot for the next few miles!