It’s hard to believe, but it’s almost two weeks now since I took part in and – I’m pleased to confirm – completed my first Etape Caledonia.
It was an extraordinary weekend, and one I very much hope to repeat in 2017.
This brilliant new video shows some of the many sights and sounds that made the whole event truly unforgettable.
We riders certainly owe a big chapeau to the weather gods. Light winds, a cooling drizzle midway through and finishing in warm sunshine was everything we could have hoped for.
The marshals, organisers and volunteers, too, deserve medals. The whole day went like clockwork.
But my abiding memory will be of one thing in particular: the outstanding support given by locals along the route.
The Etape kicks off early in the morning – 6.48am for me, to be precise. So it really was amazing to see so many people out cheering from the very start.
Every rider I spoke to as we cruised along the final few miles back into Pitlochry agreed: your cheers and encouragement had turned a great day into something truly magical.
My time of 5hr 16min didn’t break any records, but I achieved my first-year goals of (a) finishing (b) getting up Schiehallion without having to stop and (c) hassling Chris Boardman for a fanboy photo.
I was also delighted to raise over £1000 for Marie Curie, and would like to thank everyone who sponsored my efforts.
I can’t wait to give it another go in 2017.
«» The Courier was media sponsor for the 2016 Etape Caledonia. See more of our coverage and photos here. The 2017 priority list is now open. See more at etapecaledonia.co.uk.
