Views over to Isle of Lismore

Ballachulish Sunset

Views from the Corryhully Horseshoe ridge

Since Sunday 10th May 09 the Outdoor Capital has enjoyed fantastic weather, somewhat deserved because the previous week when the Scottish Six Day Trial had been up in Lochaber the weather had been truly atrocious. Luckily most of the riders are pretty tough but it must have made what is already a pretty challenging event even more so.

So this week has been payback time. As the saying goes 'make hay while the sun shines' so I have been making the most of it and getting out as much as possible.

After a long lay off from hill-walking due to injury I went out and did the Corryhully Horseshoe, a long but superb hill walk with great access in on the Glenfinnan Estate road. Too often landowners only get press when they block access but this estate positively encourage walkers and cyclists, and should be applauded. We took bikes (no motorised vehichles allowed) in on a tarmaced private road, until just after the bothy. This saves quite a bit of time and about 4-5km of walking; after a wonderful cicuit with views to die for over to the Small Isles, Knoydart and back to Ben Nevis, we took just 14 minutes to cycle back to the car. As well as getting to tick 2 Munros you also get to go underneath the world famous Glenfinnan Viaduct made even more famous with the Harry Potter films.

The good weather has kept on coming and on Monday evening I enjoyed a stroll after supper with a friend around Ballachulish and captured the sunset over Morven.

Work took me to Oban this morning and I took the opportunity to stop at Port Appin just off the A85 on the way back to eat my lunch. A visit to Port Appin is a great day out from the Outdoor Capital. There is a super giftshop, Seahorse Gifts as well as the ferry which takes you over to the Isle of Lismore. It is well worth taking bikes over on the little passenger ferry and exploring the island. To complete the day you could eat at the Pierhouse Hotel which has a good reputation. As I ate my lunch and gazed out over the blue sea Rockhopper (a kayaking company) were taking a group out seakayaking, I couldn't have asked for a more scenic lunch spot.

Let's hope this weather holds...

Anna

posted by Outdoor Capital of the UK @ 3:47 PM  0 comments

Dougie Lampkin launches World trials in Fort William

Sunday 3rd May saw Britain’s twelve times World trials champion Dougie Lampkin officially launch the UK round of the SPEA FIM Trial World Championship, which will be hosted in the Outdoor Capital at Nevis Range just outside Fort William, Scotland in June 2010. Lampkin who is currently competing in, and leading the World famous Scottish six days trial that is taking place around Fort William throughout this week, took time out from his event preparations to add his support to this exciting project.

Thirty-three year old Lampkin who sits in sixth place in this year’s World series at the moment, and who won the Scottish six days trial twelve months ago performed in front of a packed Fort William High Street on Sunday afternoon to declare the build up to the initial event in 2010 to be officially open.
Dougie stunned the waiting crowds as he leapt his factory Beta machine up on to the roof of the carefully positioned gondola, which had been provided by Nevis Range. With the applause still ringing loud Lampkin only paused briefly before then causing another similar reaction, as this time he jumped from his elevated position back down on to the street below. Not content with his one safe passage, Dougie then repeated the incredible feat twice more before signing off, much to the delight of the crowd.

The spectacular and scenic setting at Nevis Range just outside Fort William will be the home of World class trials for the next three years, with the first of these events being a round of the 2010 SPEA FIM Trial World Championship taking place on 26/27th June. The fabulous venue at the foot of the famous Ben Nevis mountain will then welcome the Trial des Nations in September 2011. This will be the first time ever that this inter countries team competition has been hosted on the UK mainland during its entire history. The initial three year plan will then be brought to a close in June 2012, when the Scottish Highlands enjoys yet another round of the SPEA FIM Trial World Championship.

Tickets for the 2010 event will be on sale from late June this year. For full details of these forthcoming World class competitions please visit the official event website – www.ukworldtrial.com

posted by Outdoor Capital of the UK @ 10:34 AM  0 comments