Cycling community to have eyes on the Highlands this weekend for Etape Loch Ness

January 21, 2016

Often the domain of monster hunters and cryptozoologists, Loch Ness will instead be abuzz with excited cyclists this weekend as the sold out Etape Loch Ness returns for the third year in a row.

Over 4,000 cyclists will set off in the early hours of this Sunday (April 24) to ride 66 miles on closed roads around the loch.

Participants will have the rare opportunity to ride on roads around the shores of the loch without encountering any other traffic.

As they circle the famous landmark, they will face what is perhaps their most monstrous challenge on the south side: the King of the Mountain – a 4.8 mile climb which rises to 380m in height with a 12% gradient.

Event director Malcolm Sutherland says, “We are delighted to be welcoming so many cyclists to the Highland capital for what promises to be one of the highlights on Scotland’s sporting calendar.

“The Highlands is known for its hospitality, and we have worked hard since the first Etape Loch Ness to extend that warm welcome to all of our participants, many of whom have never travelled to the north of Scotland before.

“Sportives have a unique appeal to cyclists in that participants are competing not with each other, but against themselves – striving to best their previous achievements.

“We hope that the public will be out in force to cheer on the participants, both in the villages along the route and at the event hub at Eden Court Theatre.”

The first wave of riders is due to set off on Sunday morning at 6.15am from Bught Park in the Highland capital. The fastest riders home are expected to cross the finishing line at Eden Court from 9am onwards, with the majority of riders arriving before 1pm.

Efforts have been made to ensure road closures are kept to a minimum, to reduce the impact on local communities and people travelling on Sunday morning. The list of closures is as follows:

• Inverness (Bught Drive/A82) to Drmnadrochit (A831 Junction) – 05:35-08:05
• A82 Drumnadrochit (A831 Junction) to Urquhart Castle – 06:35-08:15
• A82 Urquhart Castle to Invermoriston (Dalcataig Road Junction) – 06:20-09:05
• Invermoriston (Dalcataig Road Junction) to Fort Augustus (A82/A862 Junction) – 07:00-09:35
• Fort Augustus (A82/A862 Junction) to B862/B852 Junction – 07:10-10:55
• B862/B852 Junction to Lower Foyers Junction – 07:45-11:05
• Lower Foyers Junction to Dores (B852/B862 Junction) – 07:45-11:55
• Dores (B852/B862 Junction) to Holm Roundabout, Inverness – 08:15-12:25
• Holm Roundabout to Eden Court, Inverness – 08:35-12:40 (left lane north bound closure)

Those who live in or are visiting the following villages are urged to give the riders a cheer as they go past. Cyclists are expected to pass through at the following times:
• Drumnadrochit – riders expected through the village between 06:50 – 08:00
• Invermoriston – riders expected between 07:25 – 09:00
• Fort Augustus – riders expected between 07:35 – 09:25
• Foyers / Inverfarigaig – riders expected between 08:10 – 11:00
• Dores – riders expected between 08:40 – 11:45
• Inverness – riders expected between 08:55 – 12:30

Etape Loch Ness is supported by Event Scotland, part of VisitScotland. Paul Bush OBE, VisitScotland’s Director of Events, said: “Scotland is blessed with some of the world’s most stunning natural scenery, which often doubles as the perfect stage for events, and Loch Ness is one of the best examples of this.

“We are delighted to support Etape Loch Ness once again in 2016, giving thousands of cycling enthusiasts a unique opportunity to circle the loch on closed roads, taking in the marvellous setting while challenging themselves in a vibrant and unique sportive.”

For more information about the event, visit www.etapelochness.com

Regular updates appear on social media through Twitter @EtapeLochNess using #etapeln16 and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/etapelochness