Highland Perthshire Classic Tour 2021 - Skinny Tyres
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Skinny Tyres April 2021
Highland Perthshire Classic Tour 2021
Scotland is synonymous with high mountains, deep glens, dark forests, sparkling lochs, and a
historical landscape that attracts visitors from around the world.
Highland Perthshire packs all of this into one area and boasts a fantastic network of roads to
allow you to explore it all.
Highland Perthshire lies to the north of
Edinburgh and we reckon is one of the best
places to cycle in the UK. The network of
roads offering climbs, and rolling terrain
alongside dramatic scenery makes it ideal
for those wanting to sample the delights of
cycling in Scotland.
We will base ourselves in the heart of
Highland Perthshire in the small town of
Pitlochry, riding out each day to explore this
stunning part of Scotland. After your day of
riding, you can explore the walks, shops,
and distilleries in this beautiful little Highland
town.
Our Highland Perthshire trip is based in one
hotel in the heart of Scotland so you don’t
have to worry about packing each night and
moving on to a different location. We will
have exclusive use of the hotel for the
duration of the stay allowing you to relax
knowing that we are doing everything
possible to keep you safe.
Itinerary
Choose from a classic or challenge route each day and with our guides offering unparalleled
vehicle support you can ride at your own pace in the knowledge that we will be on hand
when you need us. The beauty of this trip is you can mix and match routes each day, riding
as much or as little as you want.
Classic Route: 514km - 5696m ascent
Challenge Route: 759km - 8811m ascent
Cost: £1600
(20% deposit required to secure a place with balance to be paid by 30th January 2021.)
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Skinny Tyres April 2021
Arrival Day - Day 0 - Saturday 10th April 2021
Details You can either drive to our hotel for the week, or we can meet you at Pitlochry
train station. Alternatively, we offer scheduled airport transfers from Edinburgh
Airport included in the price (1hr 20-minute transfer time). On arrival you can
check-in, assemble your bikes and then explore Pitlochry, or head out on a
selection of short warm-up rides around the area.
Moulin Moor and Strathardle - Day 1 - Sunday 11th April 2021
Classic Route 85km with 1057m ascent
Challenge Route 96km with 1259m ascent
Details Today we venture into the south-eastern edge of Highland Perthshire as we
skirt the edges of the Highland Boundary Fault. From the hotel, the climbing
starts immediately from the centre of Pitlochry as we head up high onto Moulin
Moor and then drop down to Strath Ardle. If you are lucky a tail-wind will help
you along towards Bridge of Cally where we head upwards again towards
Easter Drimmie where views of the Cairngorms rise up behind us. We drop
towards the “Berry” town of Blairgowrie before turning west along the five
lochs road towards the cathedral town of Dunkeld. We then head north over an
undulating route towards Pitlochry.
Kinloch Rannoch and Dalnacardoch - Day 2 - Monday 12th April 2021
Classic Route 73km with 699m ascent
Challenge Route 124km with 1299m ascent
Details Today we take in the first part of the Etape Caledonia Sportive route as we
head out along Loch Tummel. To your left rises the conical peak of Schiehallion
(more of that to come on Day 5). For those looking for a challenge you can
continue on for a full loop of the beautiful and wild Loch Rannoch before we
wind upwards towards Trinafour. The routes split here with the Classic option
heading back to Pitlochry via Glen Errochty and the Challenge route heading
up on the “Hydro” road towards Dalnacardoch. The route then heads down to
the “Old A9” and down through historic Blair Atholl and Killiecrankie. One last
challenge awaits the intrepid rider with a short, but sharp climb up to Trinafour,
before returning to Pitlochry.
The Sma’ Glen and Strathbraan- Day 3 - Tuesday 13th April 2021
Classic Route 77km with928m ascent
Challenge Route 122km with 1344m ascent
Details Today we head west to the town of Aberfeldy before the big climb of the day
up to Griffin Forest. We then head south towards Strathbraan where the
Classic route turns east for a thrillingly fast ride down towards Dunkeld. Those
who want more miles in their legs can continue south through the Sma’ Glen
before turning east and hugging the Highland Boundary Fault along to Little
Glen Shee. A short ride back north will see us rejoin the Classic route at
Dunkeld.
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Skinny Tyres April 2021
Ben Lawers and Glen Lyon - Day 4 - Wednesday 14th April 2021
Classic Route 124km with 1288m ascent
Challenge Route 161km with 2000m ascent
Details Ben Lawers is the 10th highest mountain in the UK and today we will be
heading over its shoulder. This is an epic day in every way with amazing riding
through Glen Lyon, often described as the most beautiful in Scotland. If that
isn’t enough, those with strong legs will want to make another attempt on the
Griffin Forest climb before heading up the short, but fearsomely steep Glen
Quaich.
The Amadan Challenge - Schiehallion - Day 5 -Thursday 15th April 2021
Classic Route 72km with 973m ascent
Challenge Route 93km with 1285m ascent
Details Scotland’s diminutive answer to Mont Ventoux’s Cingles Challenge. In Scot’s
Gaelic Amadan means a loon, or an idiot,and cycling up the three routes on
Schiehallion may seem a little crazy, but trust us it is worth the effort. All three
routes offer a completely different climbing challenge totaling 900metres of
ascent over 14km. Before you get there however you have the southern shore
of Loch Tummel to ride. This quiet little road hugs the shoreline leading you to
the base of Schiehallion. We will return to Pitlochry via the north shore of Loch
Tummel.
Loch Tay and Loch Earn - Day 6 - Friday 16th April 2021
Classic Route 83km with 71m ascent
Challenge Route 163km with 1634m ascent
Details Today we venture into the south-eastern edge of Highland Perthshire as we
skirt the edges of the Highland Boundary Fault. From the hotel, the climbing
starts immediately from the centre of Pitlochry as we head up high onto Moulin
Moor and then drop down to Strath Ardle. If you are lucky a tail-wind will help
you along towards Bridge of Cally where we head upwards again towards
Easter Drimmie where views of the Cairngorms rise up behind us. We drop
towards the “Berry” town of Blairgowrie before turning west along the five
lochs road towards the cathedral town of Dunkeld. We then head north over an
undulating route towards Pitlochry.
Departure Day - Day 7 - Saturday 17th April 2021
Details Sadly it's the end of the trip. Time to back up and head home. For those
requiring transfers we will provide these to the train station and Edinburgh
Airport.
Skinny Tyres aims to provide the best cycling experience for you with
attention to detail that goes beyond just another guided ride
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Skinny Tyres April 2021 Vehicle Support To provide high quality support and ensure all the riders on the road have all of their needs met we provide vehicle support and do not have guides riding with clients. This means we can provide everyone in the group with the same level of support in a safe and effective manner. Our vehicles provide: • Day-bag support - Riders will be invited to use a day bag that they can carry additional items they feel they may need during the day. These bags will be transferred, as required, between vehicles as the day progresses. • Evening - Hotel bags will be transferred to that evening’s accommodation and put in riders rooms ready for their arrival. • Nutritional Support - Each vehicle will carry additional food and water to support riders as they ride throughout the day. Vehicles can stop when requested and will also have pre- arranged meeting points to provide feed-stations for riders. We do not carry specific sport’s nutrition as we find that riders each have their own preferred products that they use. • Full mechanical support - Each vehicle will be equipped with equipment and spares, to cover the majority of mechanical mishaps and get riders back on the road quickly. • Full first-aid support - Each vehicle will carry a full first aid kit to cover any incidents. • Navigational Support - All riders will be given access to GPS files for navigational devices and a daily written copy of turn-by- turn navigation. However our guides will be on-hand to provide support and will cover “easy-to-miss” junctions. • Ride at your own pace - Larger groups of riders benefit from vehicle support as it means that individuals can cycle at a pace that suits them and still be supported. Faster riders do not need to stop and regroup and the vehicles have the ability to move around and ensure that everyone is receiving the same level of support. • Trip Transfers - Riders arriving and departing from Edinburgh Airport will have the option of meeting our scheduled transfers to the hotel in Pitlochry. Highland Perthshire Classic 4 of 9
Skinny Tyres April 2021 Accommodation and Travel Hotel Rosemount Hotel 12 Higher Oakfield, Pitlochry PH16 5HT (+441796 472302). There is a large car park and secure bike storage. The hotel is a 10 minute walk from the centre of town. We will have exclusive use of the hotel during our stay with no other guests outside our group. We will only be using this hotel for the entire week. Pitlochry Pitlochry is a bustling tourist town with lots of shops, cafes and restaurants. It sits below the summit of Ben Vrackie and there are lots of loch-side and forest walks accessible from the centre of town. There is a distillery on the edge of town and many other activities on offer. Getting There Pitlochry is just off the A9, the main road north in Scotland. It is a 90 minute drive from Edinburgh Airport (EDI) and we can offer inclusive transfers from and to the airport. The hotel is situated 0.7 miles from the train station and we will happily pick you and your bike up from there. Please let us know if you would like us to help you with your travel plans. Is this trip suitable for me? At Skinny Tyres we welcome cyclists of all levels and abilities and we aim to promote inclusive cycling with no pressure on any one to ride at other people’s pace. Our guide and support team with options for longer and shorter routes means we can be extremely flexible with different paces among the riders. We have designed this trip to allow you to achieve your own individual goals whilst riding on some of the best routes in the UK. Highland Perthshire Classic 5 of 9
Skinny Tyres April 2021 Breakfast and Dinner Breakfast will be served at the hotel and you will have a full range of options from cooked to continental. We will also dine each evening at the hotel with a three-course meal. Tea, coffee, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages are not included in the price. Lunch We do not provide lunch on our trips, but will direct you to local cafes for something to eat if you wish. We aim to support local business and by using cafes and shops we can work towards a more sustainable form of tourism. Snacks The support vehicles will be well stocked with snacks from fruit to cake. We do not carry energy products as everyone has their own preferences, so we encourage you to bring your own powders, gels and bars which you can carry in your day bag in the van. Special Diets Please inform us of any special dietary requirements you have and we will make sure that you are catered for. Recycling We will recycle all food and drink packaging we use including compostable materials. Please use the bins we provide and do not drop litter, including fruit peel and skins as even these take a long time to degrade. Let’s keep Scotland tidy. Highland Perthshire Classic 6 of 9
Skinny Tyres April 2021 Safety We will provide a full safety briefing prior to the start of the ride as well as short evening briefings prior to the next day of riding. Helmets must be worn at all times. Many of the roads in Scotland are narrow, so we recommend that riders do not ride in large groups. When you are riding on single track roads please use passing places to allow both oncoming and traffic behind to pass safely. In general the roads are relatively quiet and in good condition, but you should be aware of oncoming traffic when cornering. Tools/ Bike Issues Our vans have a comprehensive tool kit and work stand, including torque wrenches and track pumps, so there is no need to bring your own, unless you have a bike brand specific tool that you need. We can also supply CO2 canisters and tyres and inner tubes for you to buy. Our guides are competent in bike mechanics, but may not have time for bigger repairs. In Pitlochry there is an excellent bike shop that does repairs and will stock bike kit and clothing that you may need. Weather Despite Scotland’s reputation for being wet, the eastern Highlands where we will be riding has a good climate and generally has a better forecast than the west of Scotland. April, May and early June are the months that tend to have the best weather in Scotland and we regularly see clear, dry days with temperatures upwards of 20 degrees Celsius during these months. However, we will be heading into mountainous areas and the weather can be localised and can be cold and wet, so you should pack accordingly. Insurance You should ensure that you take out adequate travel insurance suitable for your needs before you travel. We cannot be responsible for any costs you acquire as a result of you failing to do so. The insurance should cover against the costs of medical treatment, evacuation, loss of earnings and/or cost of care in the event that you suffer injury or illness during the trip and while travelling; against loss of or damage to your property (including your bicycle); against liability you might incur to third parties; Highland Perthshire Classic 7 of 9
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Contact ride@SkinnyTyres.com for booking and info
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