Cairn 0' Mount Challenge

Rated Event: 92.222%

MarkStephen wrote:

I took part this year for the first time with a friend and enjoyed every minute of the gruelling course, one of the toughest I have taken part in, The Cairn was difficult and the relief at the top was immense. The signage was spot on, feed stops excellent, really helpful helpers and more than enough to eat and drink at each feed station.
The only thing stopping me from giving the event 100% was the Catheruns climb at 75 miles, that was a killer and made the final few miles really painful, a climb like that so late on is so demoralising.
The weather was brilliant all day, hardly a puff of wind and the sun even made an appearance at the Inverbervie feed station.
Can't wait til next year, hopefully it doesn't clash with the Bealach Beag like it did this year.

Rated Event: 77.778%

iainmasson wrote:

A great course, the only part i did not like was the stretch along the A92 coast road. It was quite busy and having a feed zone then having to turn right across the traffic was not the best. A water stop with maybe 10 miles to go would have been good but that was only because of the unusually hot weather. Overall I really enjoyed it and hope to ride it again next year.

Rated Event: 100.000%

MaryShrimpton wrote:

The area was beautiful, I think I will do the longer course next year.

Rated Event: 46.667%

AndrewChristie wrote:

Very friendly organisors, who I know were volunteers. Great start / finish location. Great route. Great to do something for charity.

However, ......

The following MUST be addressed for future events.
1) Adequate signage - 100m prior to turn-off, at turn-off, and confirmation 50m after turn-off.
2) Adequate signage for feed station. I went passed the 2nd feed station, also because it was on a main road it made it dificuilt to stop safely when cars are up your behind!!!
3) Adequate feed / water station - considering the heat, an additional station should have been provided 15 miles from end. Even just water would have been fine.
4) Feed station location needs improved. NEVER put a feed station on a main road. I am surprised the Police allowed you to do this. This location was dangerous and irresponsible.
5) I downloaded the route on Bikeroute Toaster however my Garmin was telling me I was going off-course in the later part of the course (turnoff main road after St Cyrus). If you are going to change the course then please explain that at registration.

The above are not recommendations, they are MUST DO's. The day was good, but could have been great if the above issues did not occur.

Regards, Andrew Christie

Rated Event: 67.778%

almorrison wrote:

The feed stops were poor. I went off late in a staggered start and was delayed by a puncture and consequently was one of the last to arrive at the first food stop. By the time I got there, there was only some bananas and some caramel slices left which i didn't think were enough. The second stop wasn't much better, there were 5 rolls left but all chicken which didn't suit this vegetarian, though i guess there were some more bananas. As I result I bonked the event which is of course never fun, though looking at it positively it is a good learning experience.

Also, about 95% of the course is on quiet roads, with beautiful surroundings, but for some reason both food stops were at the side of fast (60mph), busy roads with no toilet facilities.

Apart from that the course was fantastic.

Rated Event: 64.444%

LenRead wrote:

Too slow to get results onto web-site

Rated Event: 90.000%

AlexInsch wrote:

My first sportive - great one to get me started. Friendly and helpful volunteers, brilliant route and signage in a great location. Route did appear to be slightly longer than the guide sheet suggested, but that may well have been down to a faulty speedo. Would ride again and recommend to others. Thanks.

Rated Event: 100.000%

JonathanPlant wrote:

Overall an excellent Sportive. Superb 30 mile route that I took the opportunity to ride on a new hybrid. So something a little different. This shorter distance appeals to many new to cycling. I rode alongside one guy for whom this was his first ever such event. So many sportives actually do very little to promote cycling, as they effectively preach to the converted. I'll be back again next year. Thank pou to the organisers for such a great event.

Rated Event: 66.667%

DaveMorrison wrote:

A pretty good route with some fundamental issues to address re: feed stops and technical support. Food stops in the open air at the side of very busy roads, limited selection of food and no toilets. Technical support was limited (but very friendly) and didn't have a pump that fitted my standard tyres.

Rated Event: 87.778%

ErniHamilton wrote:

I really enjoyed it. It was not a good day for me but it was still good - if you see what I mean. Your volunteers are great!
Only wish I could find out how long it took me!
I would recommend it to anyone!

Rated Event: 82.222%

BarryIngram wrote:

A well organised and sportive not for the fainthearted:) I did the 80 mile route and there is Quite a few evil hills making it a tough one for the less serious cyclist! However a lovely route with the majority of it on quiet roads! Well done to the organisers also as it is all done by people offering there time for free to raise money for charity. This also means the entry fee is kept low. I hope it grows to be a popular event as it deserves to be!

Rated Event: 90.000%

richardstridgeon wrote:

was a fantastic event. was my first sportive and I thoroughly enjoyed it. would like to thank all those involved in the organising and running of the event. I would definitely do it again.

Rated Event: 84.444%

JohnLeonard wrote:

Superb event, highly recommend it! Weather definitely helped and well done for having real food at feed stations and not just energy bars.

Rated Event: 85.556%

GrahamBurns wrote:

Realy good event. For me this was really challenging at at the limites of my ability/fitness- found it harder than eg etape or other 100 mile sportivies

Rated Event: 88.889%

JimTarvet wrote:

One of the most friendly and picturesque sportives I have been on ( 20+ events) and pleasant low key approach without the rampant commercialism of some events. Delighted to hear it raised £4000 for charity.
Chapeau to all volunteers and organisers.
Thanks

Rated Event: 91.111%

PeterKnoll wrote:

This course actually made the etape course look easy! A real challenge.

Enjoyed day but very difficult, possibly due to heat. Would do more training before attempting again.

Rated Event: 90.000%

stevemacfarlane wrote:

Excellent event, beautiful route and the best cheese and onion roll ever at 51 miles. Very hot, but heartily recommended. Route challenging (especially that bloody hill at 74 miles) but a great day out. Well done.

Rated Event: 75.556%

KatherineFarmer wrote:

Great route, very good start and finish point. Nice snacks at end.

Rated Event: 78.889%

Howard wrote:

Very friendly event - nice and low-key.

Rated Event: 84.444%

CraigLennox wrote:

Only reason I wouldn't give it a 10 out of 10 is I think it was tougher than billed and whilst I enjoyed it some seemed to be in a degree of discomfort by the end.