Only 5 more sleeps to go until 3 Pistes Cycle 2015.
Below you will find all the last minute important information you require.
MARSHALS
Before that, do you have any friends or family who want to earn some money helping at the feed stations? The weather forecast isn’t great, so we’d like a few more helpers.
Extra bodies are needed for Glenshee, The Lecht and Nethy Bridge. If anyone is interested please ask them to email alan at 3pistescycle dot co dot uk
REGISTRATION
Start HQ – Pitlochry High School, East Moulin rd, Pitlochry. PH16 5ET
2pm – 5pm Saturday 30th May 2015
or
8.00am – 8.40am Sunday 31st May 2015
Please bring valid photo ID. You must register in person – no exceptions.
At registration you will receive your:
Emergency & Mechanic contact details
bike number – attach to handlebars.
ride number with detachable bag drop label- attach number to back of jersey with provided safety pins. Attach bag label with provided cable ties.
timing chip – stick it to LEFT SIDE of helmet.
If you have ordered a cycle jersey this can be collected at registration, or leave it and pick it up at the finish.
You will not receive a goody bag or any silly promotional bumph. We’re keeping things simple.
On Sunday there will be NO PARKING at the school or on East Moulin Rd. Please cycle up the hill from town centre car parks. Parking in Pitlochry town centre car parks is free on a Sunday. Also the return coaches will all drop you off on Atholl Rd, so you don’t want to have to cycle back up the hill do you!
Ensure your Bag Drop label is securely fastened and matched your ride number. At the other end no number – no bag.
Aviemore coach check in & registration 5.45am
MacDonald Highland Resort PH22 1PN.
Please park in the central car park, however as a courtesy to hotel residents and guests please park away from the main entrance.
5.45am Check in, registration and bike loading
6.00am Depart for Pitlochry – If you are late we will leave without you.
7.30am Arrive Pitlochry High School
All riders using coach transfer MUST REMOVE their PEDALS prior to loading cycle onto the vans.
For those getting transfer to the start, we advise doing this the evening before.
Before you load your bike YOU must attach your bike number. At the other end no number – no bike!
Please be patient with our team at this stage. We want your bikes packed safely, securely and without scratches. If you have an old dust sheet or similar please bring it.
When you get on the bus we will give you some yummy porridge then let you have a snooze.
As with all riders you can leave your bag in the bag drop van.
Full details of the buses / van transfers can be found at https://3pistescycle.wordpress.com/on-the-day/buses/
START
the first riders from 2014
Start opens at 7.00am
Riders who registered at PHS on Saturday afternoon can start whenever they wish after 7am. Riders will be released in groups of no more than 30 at 2 minute intervals.
Riders who registered on Aviemore coach can start as soon as they arrive.
For all other riders – Sunday morning Registration will not open until 8.00am.
Registration will close at 8.40am. Riders have until 9am to start.
THE RIDE
Weather
Yesterday, Sunday’s forecast was for lots of SNOW at Braemar mid morning. It has subsequently improved.
Today’s improved forecast shows a dry cloudy day with TAILWINDS.
The weather forecasts all show cold, unsettled weather. It is likely you will get caught in the rain at some point. Wear warm, wet weather gear.
Start 7.00am – 9.00am @ Pitlochry Atholl Rd A924
Broom wagon cut off at Cairnwell Summit 11.00
Broom Wagon cut off at junction of A93/B976 12.00
Broom Wagon cut off at Lecht Summit 14.30
Broom Wagon cut off at Nethy Bridge 16.00
Broom Wagon cut off – all riders MUST must be finished BY 17:45 or they will not be given a time.
Coaches for Pitlochry will depart at regular intervals between 14:00 & 18:30
FEED STATIONS
Feed stations will be located as follows
Glenshee Ski Area – Full feed stop with First Aid, cafe, public telephone, toilets.
Braemar – NO FEED, but Public Toilets, Public Telephone, cafes, shops. Designated warm dry place.
Goodbrand and Ross, Corgarff – Water, bananas, portaloos, cafe, public telephone.
The Lecht Ski Area – Full feed stop with First Aid, cafe, shop, public telephone, toilets.
Tomintoul -NO FEED, Public telephone, public toilets, shops, cafes.
Bridge of Brown Tearooms – NO FEED, Designated warm dry place. Cafe, shop, public telephone, toilets.
Nethy Bridge Hotel – Full feed stop, cafe, shop, public telephone, toilets.
At CairnGorm please proceed up the left hand lane of the car park toward the Funicular Station and then bear right to the finish gantry in front of the Day Lodge.
Please take care. The road surface has some huge pot holes and lots of stone chips. We will sweep the road for you but it will still be the worst surface of the day.
At the finish grab a bottle of water and a meal token. This entitles you to a big bowl of pasta bake.
Bag Collection Vans will be beside the finish.
Transfer coaches and vans will be waiting for you in the lower car park. If the upper car park is not too busy they will make there way there for departure.
FIRST AID
Covering the route we will have 3 Red Cross Ambulances plus static first aiders at Glenshee, The Lecht and CairnGorm.
Also 3 mobile mechanics patrolling the route.
3 British Red Cross Ambulances will be stationed at regular intervals along the route.
5 KEY AREAS FOR CAUTION
Sunday is not a race. No-one is likely to get a Strava KOM. So please don’t ride like a d1ck, chill out and enjoy your day.
According to the start list no-one is mountains breakaway specialist Thomas De Gendt. Take the first couple of climbs easy and save yourself for the Lecht, Br of Brown and Cairngorm.
At many a previous sportive I have over cooked it going up the first few climbs to be overtaken on the last few. Not clever.
Please dress according to the changeable weather conditions. Carry tools, spare tubes and a pump and know how to use them. Carry food and water. Check out British Cycling’s excellent Sportive Tips section.
Please take extra care with the following sections of road!
All of A924 & B950 – yes it’s an A road, but it also is one with passing places. This is where you will be all bunched up together. Even though it is 7am Sunday there is bound to be some impatient drivers. Be courteous and cycle to the left – in single file if possible.
All of B976 – in particular the right hand bend half way down descent.
The B976 is a single track road with passing places. After the long descent from Glenshee you will be back bunched together so please be courteous to other road users.
The chicane on the decent is off camber. It has also just had some resurfacing work and is frequently wet. Oh and it’s a 15% section.
Descent of A939 into Strathdon another steep section with a right left chicane half way down
The Lecht Climb Hairpins Yes it’s 20% and 24% in the corner, but remember it’s a public road with other road users. Please stay to the LEFT HAND SIDE of the road. If walking please dismount to the left.
Descent to Well of The Lecht what goes up must come down – NO FASTER THAN NATIONAL SPEED LIMIT!!! Yes it’s 20% but there is a sweeping blind corner. Get on you brakes early and give yourself plenty of distance to the rider ahead.
Descent to Bridge of Brown off camber double S bends at 20%… need we say more?
CairnGorm Climb – Tourist traffic, 1000 knackered cyclists, service buses, transfer coaches, vans, cars of friends and families. This will be the busiest part of the ride and you will be eyeballs out. Take care.
Finally, thanks for supporting the 3 Pistes Cycle. Fingers crossed the weather forecast improves. If you have any non stupid or pointless questions 😉 please feel free to ask.
We wish you all a safe and enjoyable ride. The weather looks very changeable so layer up accordingly!!!
3 Pistes Cycle Sportive 