Skye singletrack weekend

This fantastic weekend mountain biking on Skye will see us riding one of Scotland's most challenging and beautiful routes round Sligachan, where we will be based.

Saturday and Sunday will start with a full Scottish breakfast before cycling straight out onto the trail from the front door of your accommodation. These trails are recognised as some of the best, if not the best trails in the U.K.

Itinerary

Day 1
We will meet in Inverness on Friday afternoon, pack the transport and then drive over to the Isle of Skye to our accommodation for the weekend where we’ll get to know each other and discuss the plan for the weekend.
Day 2
Our full day on Skye will see us tackling the challenging 50km loop from Sligachan. Winding our way between the Cuillin mountains, we will cycle over some very rocky terrain skirting the foot of classic peaks such as Sgurr nan Gillean and Blà Bheinn. At the bottom of glen we arrive at the coast and a little bothy at Camasunary, where we can stop to catch our breath and have something to eat. On through the narrow glen of Strath Mòr, across some rather wet sections, and on to the last leg of our exhilirating journey, back along the coast to our accommodation.
Day 3
After a good night’s sleep and a full breakfast we hit the trails for a smaller loop that starts in Torrin and works its way through Strath Beag on superb singletrack to Luib, where we will have lunch before heading back trough Strath Mor in the reverse direction of the trail from the day before. This ride is not overly difficult mountain biking, but it does feel very remote, with more stunning scenery for you to take in, and plenty of photo opportunities.

Download pdf of full itinerary

Skill Level

Sligachan

Predominantly red with some black

Distance: 47km

Ascent: 400m

Torrin

Red/ black

Distance: 17km

Ascent: 450m

Accomodation

Good quality B&B or guest house

Meals

Breakfast and lunch included each day

Dates of Holiday

1st - 3rd August 2008 Full

16th - 18th September 2008

10th - 12th October 2008

Contact us if you require alternative dates

Price

£330 pp

Skills List

Green grade

Green grade trails are suitable for: beginners or novice cyclists.
• Bike required: mountain bikes are suitable.
• Skills needed: basic bike skills are required for this grade.
• Trail and surface types: these will be relatively flat and wide. Trail surface might be loose, uneven or muddy at times. Might include short flowing singletrack-style sections.
• Gradients and technical trail features: climbs and descents are mostly shallow. No challenging features.
• Suggested fitness level: suitable for most people in good health.

Blue grade

Blue grade trails are suitable for: intermediate mountain bikers with basic off-road riding skills.
• Bike required: Front suspension mountain bike.
• Skills needed: basic off-road riding skills to cope with uneven surfaces and small obstacles.
• Trail and surface types: as above, plus specially constructed singletrack trails. Trail surface might include small obstacles of root and rock.
• Gradients and technical trail features: most gradients are moderate but might include short steep sections. Technical features such as roots and rock might be present.
• Suggested fitness level: a good standard of fitness can help as some trails have short climbs.

Red grade

Red grade trails are suitable for: proficient mountain bikers with good off-roading skills.
• Bike required: suitable for better off-road quality mountain bikes.
• Skills needed: good off-roading skills and techniques to cope with technical trail features.
• Trail and surface types: as above but steeper and tougher, mostly singletrack with technical sections. Expect variable surface types.
• Gradients or technical trail features: a wide range of climbs and descents of a challenging nature will be present. Expect boardwalks, berms, large rocks, medium steps, drop-offs, cambers and water crossings.
• Suggested fitness level: a higher level of fitness and stamina is required to deal with technical features and longer distances.

Black grade

Black grade trails are suitable for: expert mountain bike users, used to physically demanding routes.
• Bike required: a good quality full suspension mountain bike is recommended.
• Skills needed: advanced level off-roading skills and technical ability.
• Trail and surface types: as above, but with an expectation of greater challenge and continuous difficulty.
• Gradients or technical trail features: expect large, committing and unavoidable obstacles and technical features. Sections will be challenging and variable. Might also feature 'downhill' style sections.
• Suggested fitness level: suitable for very active people used to prolonged exercise.

Kit List

Helmet
Gloves (appropriate to the time of year)
Glasses
Cycle shorts/trousers
Waterproofs
Hat and spare gloves
Bike in good working order (this will be checked before we set off)
Pump
Inner tubes
Puncture repair kit
Tyre levers
Multi tool
Allen keys 2,2.5,3,4,5,6,8,10mm
Brake blocks or pads to suit your bike
Shock pump if required
Chain tool and joining pieces to suit your chain
Water system (water bottle or Camelbak)
Personal energy bars
Any medication you require (you must inform your guide about this prior to the tour)
Suitable day sack to hold all of the above

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