Number one on any self-respecting cyclist’s bucket list should be a ride the Bealach na Ba.
Cyclists from the UK will travel around the world to cycle on iconic climbs such as the Stelvio in Italy and the Tourmalet in France but are often less enthusiastic to travel and ride routes on their home turf.
This is a shame as the UK and Scotland, in particular, have a wealth of climbs that offer the challenge of gradient and length as well as spectacular scenery. Locally, Highland Perthshire, the Angus Glens, The Trossachs and the Ochils are just a few of the areas offering road cycling climbs in abundance.
Further afield the Bealach na Ba in Applecross is one climb that has an international reputation. I have spoken to riders in Italy and France who have asked about the Bealach and been keen to visit Scotland to ride it.
From Loch Kishorn the ascent of this beast is just less than six miles making it the longest road ascent in the UK. Starting at sea-level and ascending 623m the initial ramp-up is steady and offers great views over Loch Kishorn, but as you turn north-west and hit an altitude of 250m the great majesty of Coire na Ba with its towering mountain buttresses threatens to overwhelm you as much as the steepening gradient does.
This section, with parts reaching 20% in gradient, is often made harder with a headwind funnelling down through the coire coming in off the nearby Atlantic. As you approach the coire headwall, the hairpin bends kick in and despite their intimidating look they actually offer a bit of respite by easing the gradient and the views are stunning.
From Applecross the ascent is a very different prospect, no less of a challenge, but with dramatic views of the Inner Sound of the Minch it has a very different feel about it. If you have travelled a long way to ride the pass, it would be a shame to neglect to ride the climb from both sides.
It would also be an oversight to disregard the coastal route that heads north. In some ways, this section of road is tougher than the actual climb of the Bealach itself. The constantly rolling road has around 16 significant climbs along its spectacular, coastal-hugging, 24-mile route to Shieldaig. From Shieldaig it’s easy to link back to Loch Kishorn via Glen Shieldaig to complete one of the best road cycle routes in the UK. If you haven’t ridden this yet, then get a date in your diary to do so in 2018.
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Where to Ride? The Bealach na Ba – Circualr route from Shieldaig.
Start: Shieldaig OS Landranger 1:50000 Map 24 NG816542
Distance 45miles/ 72km
Description: The Bealach na Ba (pronounced Bay-yalloch na ba)
An ideal starting point for this loop is at the small village of Shieldaig in Torridon. From here head south-east along Glen Shieldaig and up a steady climb on the A896. This leads you to Tornapress and the start of the climb of the Bealach na Ba. Conserve you energy on the climb though, for after descending to Applecross the real hard work begins as the small single-track road that leads you around the Applecross peninsula is unrelenting in its rollercoaster gradients. Although the mileage is relatively conservative, your legs will be feeling that they have done much, much more.
If you are feeling more competitive then why not enter the The Bealach Beag and Bealach More Sportives that offer a 42 mile and 84 mile challenge every May and September respectively.
Enter at: HandsOnEvents.co.uk
