HiVelo Big Battle Sportive

Saturday arrived with weather fit for a  sportive.  Fresh but with little clouds it would make the Big Battle one to remember.  Setting out from Culloden academy I was faced with a two mile climb up through Balloch to get to the start. I had contacted the organisers to step up to the longer distance midweek and I was told that there were plenty requesting to drop into the shorter distance but only one nutter wanting to go the other way.  I lined up with the other starters for a 10am roll out.  The field quickly lined out on the descent under the Culloden viaduct. I sat with a work colleague for the first fifteen miles before I pulled away and started my own little chase.  I was picking riders off on all the climbs and getting into groups where I could make good progress.  The road around Lochindorb was windy from all angles but with another climb towards Grantown I found myself on my own again.  A quick stop at the feed station to top up with water and grab a banana and I was back on the road again. 

It was on the Nethy Bridge road that I made up a group of three and by Boat of Garten we had become four hooking up with a strong lady on a Ti Planet X.  We were all taking turns and the miles were ticking by nicely.  At the turn for Ferness I took a comfort break and our group had discussed soft pedalling until I got back on.  A quick stop and I was on again only to come round the corner to find two of the group in a pile at the side of the road.  A touch of wheels had brought the guys down  I waited until they were sorted and we set off.  I don't quite know how it happened but I just seemed to ride away from the group that had been working so well and this was the last I saw of anyone from behind for the rest of the ride.  I was still catching and passing riders but none were able to stay with me at this late stage of the route with exchanges being brief but almost all mentioning cramp.  It was a lonely last forty miles and by the last few miles I was ready for the finish myself.

I crossed the line in a time of 4 hours 23 minutes for what was a thoroughly enjoyable 85 miles.  The event was very well organised and no doubt the weather helped greatly.  Maybe next year I'll have a go at the 43 miler.

Pictures by Donny Mackay