Artemis Highland 100

[scook94]

Not sure if this belongs here or in the MTB section, but has anyone done or thinking of doing this event this year? Any comments appreciated.

http://www.artemishighland100.com/the-challenge/

 

[irc]

Not sure if this belongs here or in the MTB section, but has anyone done or thinking of doing this event this year? Any comments appreciated.

http://www.artemishighland100.com/the-challenge/

Unlikely to need an MTB. Even the off road sections shouldn't be too bad. I've done the track on the south side of Loch Lyon. It's a very good surface but the streams aren't bridged (or weren't in 2007) so expect wet feet whatever is used. A tourer with 700x37mm would cope. Or a hardtail mtb with something like 26x1.75 Marathons. Maybe a cross bike would be ideal?
A question I suppose of how much speed you want to lose on the majority tarmac sections for more comfort on the short offroad bits.

I've tried to attach a picture of a typical part of the Loch Lyon track. It's smooth and level for by normal off road track standards. I don't know what the off road section from Loch Rannoch to Glen Lyon is like though.

The photo is from the southwest side of Loch Lyon looking north. The near level line of the track on the far side of the loch can be seen easily.

 

[Scoosh]

Looks like a cross bike would be ideal.

Now whom do we know who has recently got one of those ???

[thinks of 2 names ....]

 

[Noodley]

Is it hilly?

 

[irc]

Hilly? By highland standards the route is pretty flat. There's a 270m climb over 6K on a forrestry track going south to Glen Lyon from Loch Rannoch and a 200m climb on tarmac going south from the Loch Lyon dam towards Glen Lochay over 3K. Other than that it's undulating but no big hills.

That's assuming your doing the gold or silver route. The routes are at

http://www.artemishighland100.com/img/H100-route09.jpg

 

[scook94]

Looks like a cross bike would be ideal.

Now whom do we know who has recently got one of those ???

[thinks of 2 names ....]

Erm *sticks hand in the air* I've got one, who else?

That's what appealed to me, as I won't be able to do the Etape Caledonia this year I was looking for something else...

 

[scook94]

Thanks for the replies irc. Sounds like something I should give major thought to doing. Anyone else?

 

[Noodley]

Hilly? By highland standards the route is pretty flat. There's a 270m climb over 6K on a forrestry track going south to Glen Lyon from Loch Rannoch and a 200m climb on tarmac going south from the Loch Lyon dam towards Glen Lochay over 3K. Other than that it's undulating but no big hills.

That's assuming your doing the gold or silver route. The routes are at

http://www.artemishighland100.com/img/H100-route09.jpg

Mmmm, single speed cross bike-able? I might be a 'possible'....

 

[eldudino]

Bugger, this sounds fun! Shame I'm on holiday in Cornwall when it's on! I'll be trying to convince SWMBO to let me take the bike though!

 

[viniga]

Looks fun, bit pricey though... what does the £100 get you? What proportion goes to charity?

Viniga

 

[Scoosh]

Erm *sticks hand in the air* I've got one, who else?

That's what appealed to me, as I won't be able to do the Etape Caledonia this year I was looking for something else...

Depends if you are looking for a charidee ride or 'just' a ride which will be a challenge.

If the former (and a bit of the latter), there's the Tear Fund Drumlanrig Challenge on 1 May (a Saturday).

Quite a few of us will be doing the Action Medical Research Trossachs Ton on 20 June, well recommended by such stars as Magnatom and HLaB . You might even get to ride with them this year ...

For a good work-out (and the toughest ride I have done to date ), I can recommend the Ken Laidlaw Sportive on 22 Aug, which I did accompanieddragged round by Seamab and his bro' Viniga last year. It's a great ride and one I intend to be fit enough to do again this year. Plenty of time to train.


If you just want some good long rides, there are plenty of Audax rides available - click on the Regions tab and make your choice. Very useful if going on UK hols and want a good ride while away.


Now, if you want more pain ......

 

[scook94]

Scoosh, you know what I'm like with hills so on that basis I had discounted the Trossachs Ton and the Ken Laidlaw would also be too much for me I think.

Having said that I'm a couple of stone lighter than I was at the end of October so I may be able to conquer my problem with hills by June (still got a couple of stone to lose though).

Maybe the Trossachs Ton would be something good to aim for, not like it's not on my doorstep or anything! Hmmmm.....

 

[pjgraham86]

I did the Artemis last year and found it very challenging due mainly to the off road sections. I rode my mate's Corratec Super Bow with 700x35 tyres - I'd say those would be about the slimmest tyres that would cope readily. He borrowed my Corratec Shape Pro the same day to the Glasgow to Edinburgh.

The first off road section was grassy and muddy in places but not too bad. The second section was far more stony than I'd anticipated and I braked all the way on the downhill part - hats off to the MTB boys and girls who flew past me. I couldn't believe it at the end when I saw a good few road bikes lying in the filed alongside all the MTBs. If I'd used my carbon roadie I'd have ended up carrying it on large parts of the off road sections.

Overall it was a stunning ride - glorious weather and great views. I was dead chuffed to finish 30th out of over 300.

Peter

 

[Noodley]

100 quid!!!

Bugger that, I'm out.

 

[scook94]

100 quid!!!

Bugger that, I'm out.

Registration is £70 at the moment Noodley. I guess that's to cover the social part of the event at the end.