Kintyre Ultra MTB

The Kintyre Ultra is my new favourite race. Like being a parent I cant tell you why its so good because everything about it seemed to be insanely hard but I will make an attempt.
The cold but not uncomfortable morning started with waves of riders starting from just outside Tarbert on a fire road climb. This gave me a chance to feel good about myself. being in the second from last group I was able to overtake a lot of riders on my chosen steed for the day my Giant XTC 29er which proved to be the best choice for this ride.

The race then took its first real technical turn as we turned onto what was the walkers path of the Kintyre way and the challenges began. The previous months of rain and snow left it boggy and I sunk a few times before finally hitting fire road again and blasting down to Skipness where I passed my support van for the day (cheers mum and dad(see van in pic)). The weather at this point was very gray. The sunshine never really came out and even at sea level the normal stunning vistas of Arran on the east or Islay and Jura on the west never appeared leaving it difficult to tell exactly where you were till Campbeltown.

There then followed a section of road past the ferry terminal at Clonaig before heading offroad onto the Kintyre way again for what was the hardest section of the day with many "hike a bike" moments and I was glad to see the water stop at Clachan before the sweet relief of tarmac all the way to a bowl of soup at the stop in Tayinloan. Again I looked pro as while in the food stop my crew hosed my bike down before the journey continued.

The second half of the day involved some huge climbs on fire road back into the clouds with sections of more ride-able single track interspersed. 

The fire road climbs suited me and my bike perfectly as I reeled in more riders to eventually find myself alone on the hills.

The last food stop of the day at Lussa Loch saw the clouds start to thin as I started to catch some of the runners on the Ultra Marathon. Another long section of fire road descended back on to tarmac for the last 6 miles and I went for it.

I tucked into as TT a position as possible on the mountain bike and skelped it to Campbeltown as the sun appeared and I passed  a few more riders from both the Ultra and the Sportive to take 12th place on the day.

I was so pleased with the result and my performance coming in at 7 hours 54mins.

This was a great course. If the clouds had buggered off I know the scenery would have been awesome. It was never warm but never cold enough to be uncomfortable. The organisation was superb and the organisers and marshals a smiling cheery bunch at every stop. The other competitors were also great company  and this I think added to the joy of the day.

It was the hardest race I have done but its not called an ultra for nothing, but even at that I am already thinking of next year.