The Tour de Trossachs mountain time trial 5th October 2008

Sadly the winner of the previous 3 editions of the Tour de Trossachs is no longer with us. He holds the course record and hill climb record both done on a stunning ride last year. I am sure everyone will have a thought for Jason and his family on the 5th October.

• The signing on table will be at the car park in Aberfoyle behind the Woollen mill.
• Start time is 10.00am and the sign on will be open from 9.00 am.
• No cars must follow riders. Parking is available at the public car park in Aberfoyle or at the David Marshall Lodge – Do not park on the road on course or in Aberfoyle main street or at the car park at the Rob Roy Hotel.
• Numbers – all riders must wear numbers which should be handed in at the end – if a rider does not have a number the timekeepers will not start them!
• The Results will be posted at the signing on Tents – do not ask a timekeeper.
• Remember to shout your number when you go over the finish line.
• Prizes will be presented at the end of the event.
• All riders please remember to show the appropriate membership / license at the signing on table.

Care must be taken at all times on this course. It is hilly with numerous twists and bends on it. The course is on a favourite tourist area with very few straight sections for vehicle overtaking so beware of oncoming cars and buses. There will be cars parking and sightseeing all around the course so beware of static vehicles and vehicles turning off and onto the main road. Beware of the not too perfect road surface and lookout for those potholes and wet leaves on bends !

Click here for the route
On A81 at Shannochil Road end 1.5km south of the Roy Roy Hotel. Fork left onto A821 through Aberfoyle village to turn right at Bank of Scotland building and proceed over the Dukes pass. Keep right at the Loch Katrine road end (7.5ml). Onto Invertrossachs Road junction (14.1m). Turn right onto Invertrossachs Road and continue to junction of Callander to Glasgow A81. Turn right onto A81 and continue to bottom of Braes of Greenock (17.2m). Bear left onto B822 and proceed to junction at Thornhill A873 (21ml). Turn right onto A873 and proceed through Ruskie to join the A81 on the other side of the Braes (25ml). Proceed on A81 through Port of Menteith to finish at layby (28ml). Approx 1mile from Rob Roy Hotel. CARE MUST BE TAKEN BY RIDERS WHEN CROSSING FROM A811 onto Invertrossachs road you will be crossing over oncoming traffic and be vigilant on the Invertrossachs road, it is narrow and has driveways which people may be coming out of. REMEMBER – MARSHALLS ARE THERE TO DIRECT RIDERS NOT STOP TRAFFIC FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE!!!

The numbers next to the photo links below, refer to the numbers on the map on the above. Thanks to Arthur Doyle for providing these photos.

1. Turn off Aberfoyle main street onto Dukes pass.
2. Right at bend at Loch Achray after Dukes descent (1).
3. Right at bend at Loch Achray after Dukes descent (2).
4. Elevated view of approach to Invertrossachs road right turn.
5. Invertrossachs sign at road level.
6. Turn onto Invertrossachs road.
7. Turn onto Invertrossachs road, humpback bridge in distance.
8. Approaching humpback on fast descent.
9. Humpback bridge, sharp left immediately after. Take Care !
10. Sharp left, may be slippy if wet !.
11. Roundabout at Callander. Turn Right.
12. Approaching left turn towards Thornhill.
13. Left here towards Thornhill.
14. Right at junction at Thornhill.

This is a race which has been won by many of the legends of Scottish cycling. Click here to view the list of previous winners.


Hill Climb Record


Old start at Rob Roy Hotel - Sandy Gilchrist - 1978 - 11m 54 sec
new start at Shannochill
1983  - David Gibson - 13 m 55 sec
1985  - David Gibson - 13 m 33 sec
1990  - G OBree - 13 m 29 sec
2004  - A Coutts - 13m 18 sec
2007  - Jason McIntyre - 12m 37 sec



Reports
Click here to read Ed Hood's report on the 2007 race.
Click here to read Ed Hood's report on the 2006 race.
Click here to read "The Trossachs: 1978 Remembered."


Photos
Click here for some photos from the 2007 event.
Click here for some photos from the 2006 event.

Last Years winner Jason MacIntyre