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Well we decided that this Saturday we had to do something special as the
weather looked to be kind for this February Weekend we hoped!
This was supposed to be a gentle ride so Stevie said, but he got carried
away and it turned into a full face belter and as hard as anything I
have done before.
Combining Single track desolate road sections to vast Cliff top sheep
tracks and forest track combined with shoulder carrying bike sections
this is a half day adventure at least, unless that is you are with
Stevie!
We blasted this route and the only stops where to drink and take some
quick pictures.
So here goes…
We will leave at 0800hrs on the dot said Stevie the night before…okay
doky I said.
At 0900 hrs next day Stevie had to run my wife to work (and assured me
he was trying to touch her knees again and she let him.) We loaded up
the car and headed from Tobermory to Pennyghael via Craignure and
Glenmore.
We carried on past the Carsaig road end for about 5 miles and parked at
Port Mor close to the forest track at Beach just in case we had to Bale
out early.
After the start photo sessions and smugness there was fearful cursing
from Stevie when we realised we did not have pump.
He was sure had brought one!
He searched everywhere under seats under carpets everything was thrown
out the car and his temper became bad.
Well I said we will just have to decide not to have a puncture. Yes he
said, Positive thinking... But you just knew you where asking for a
puncture.
.
As he put on his second shoe there was a whoop… and out popped a little
mini pump.
Feck.. I knew I had it… Smiles all around and renewed eagerness to
proceed.
We sped along in the winter sunshine and after about a mile I realised
that Stevies statement of taking it easy had gone out the window.
I think we should beast this he said and I played catch up for the rest
of the day.
The scenery was lovely and in the winter sunshine everything looked
crisp and clear with Ben More looming in the distance. After about 5
miles we headed off sharply to the right and headed up the Carsaig road.
This is a steady climb for about 3 miles when you come to the top of the
road there is a visible track to your right. You head off here and it’s
easy to follow for the first half mile.
I could hear Stevie whistling as I struggled to keep up but gritted my
teeth knowing I would have to stop and take a picture. It is my saviour
as he likes to pose now and again, so above Carsaig I got my first
pictures.
The view to Carsaig from the top of the hill looks cool do you not
think?
Snap Snap Pose Pose then.. bang bang he was off again ….Blood Hell.
The only stops I got after that was to take 5 second snaps when I drank
or had a pee. The beach bale out looked inviting.
From here head slowly to the direction of the cliff tops till you find a
sheep track heading west and stick to it. This is great riding but hard
going and saps the strength.
The views are outstanding and as the cliffs get bigger and you start to
struggle to get up them in the granny ring you don’t really care because
when you get to the top you just know the next view is going to be
better than the last.
Looking back the way you have come.
It gave me great pleasure to see Stevie having to get off and push.
Keep to the edge of the cliffs till you eventually come across a few
small lochans and you will eventually come out to a point looking down
the Baleout option leading down to Beach with the forest visible to your
right in the distance.
In the distance in front of you high on the distant hill you can see the
forest leading you out to Assapol. Take a mental note of where the
entrance is in the distance and don’t be put off by how far it looks its
not too bad you an see a visible break there.
Hug the shoulder of the hill on the left hand side it will curve you
round and you will come to a spectacular view looking far down to the
the Waterfall.
It’s a steep and scary downhill from here but all grass and you don’t
know whether to ride the bike or just stare at the scenery .
We did stop here for a few minutes and just thought Wow! This is
Amazing.
We headed for the top of the waterfall and I gritted my teeth.
I managed to ride down the last hill at full blast and when we stopped
at the bottom for the first time in a long time I had a smile I could
just not wipe off my face.
Right let’s get going I said bike on shoulder and running up the next
hill towards Assapol. No bale out lets go.
It’s about half a mile carry push then hard riding for about 1 mile .
Keep heading up and to the right till you come to the fence and there is
an Argo track head towards the forest and keep going till you come to a
break in the forest that will lead you to the forest track leading down
to Assapol.
At the start of the track I was told we could complete this route in
less than 3 hours if we shifted.
So race pace it was through the track I was worried that I was ahead of
Stevie but he had no suspension and his teeth where rattling on the
stony surface .
This is about a 4 mile section and is fast but a bit bumpy in places.
We spurted out onto the road and blasted the last 8 miles towards the
car .
We hit the car at 3 hours 5 minutes (my fault seemingly) He confidently
told me we would thrash it the next time.
But we both had a smug smile on our faces.
Looking to the sky we could see the rain clouds coming in and thought to
ourselves... they where just waiting for us to finish.
This route is without doubt one of the finest anywhere.
Where anyone from the cycle Magazines to do this they would never leave
the Island... Well unless it rains…. But it never does...
Jim
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