Day 2, Lochcarron to Torridon via Bealachna Ba

Todays route can only be described as Epic, A route that so deserves the capital “E” in that sentence. It is very much divided into 2 sections. The morning up to Bealachna Ba and on to Applecross for lunch, then the rest if the route on to Torridon.

The sun was shining as we left Lochcarron (worthy of a photo or two), we checked our bikes over again after yesterdays mishaps, relubricated the chains which looked like they had been dragged through the dirt that they had and headed off along the Loch. It was literally 5 mins down the road before the road branched off to the right and up. Up being the theme of the day from 9.40 until midday when we got to the summit. Initially the gradients were reasonable, long sweeping bends and curves wandering ever upwards… And upwards…and upwards. We started in sun, but having wound our way up to the legendary sign so often seen in blogs associated with this route and found a Spaniard also on a “there and back” but by motorbike to take a photo. He informed us he had 2 tow ropes should we need them, not sure where he was heading with that one!

We went for the obligatory photo (gracias) but not the tow!

Heading on up we crossed the snow gates, the rain came down and we started to focus on the summit – if only we could see it through the mist and fog!

There are 3 key issues associated with the main drag up the mountain aside apart from the obvious! Cars on a single track road with passing places rarely give way to cyclists even when the latter are hanging off the bars driving up a silly gradient, the gusting 30 mph wind made it near impossible to get back on safely once you had been forced to get off and the road surface clearly battered by winter, rattled the bike and rider heading up or down.

Regardless we got there. It was every bit as tough as we envisaged for all the reasons identified and retrospectively, so it should be given the aura of the climb. The summit was wild but worth it, however not a place to linger given conditions. Photo taken we headed down the far side beginning what is a tricky descent into Applecross. We were much relieved to be heading down after what had been a very challenging morning. The viewpoint on the summit had not quite lives up to its name given conditions, but the first part of the day was done and we were heading into sunshine ☀. Time for lunch!

The afternoon ride from Applcross to Torridon proved equally challenging. So much for a nice cruise around the coast! Beautiful scenery but my, were there some hills within the hills. The plus side is that occasionally the road became two way rather than single track with passing places. However by the time it got to surprise hill number 19 and yet again a driver decided to drive towards us as we pushed towards him and a gap in the rocks, the only thing to do was to take the moral high ground and instruct the errant driver to wait, – which he duely did! Cyclist 1, driver 0! It was later that afternoon after many photo opportunities acroas the loch we eventually arrived at the Torridon inn, which fortunately was at the bottom of a hill. A great place built for the outdoor enthusiast with great food, excellent service and some fine chalet rooms designed for drying kit and sleeping well, with the added plus point of a free Tunnocks, ( caramel wafers)! We felt supper was well earned given that the ascent in the afternoon was slightly more than that if the morning ie in excess of 5000 feet in total. A challenging day, but a sense of achievement!