Oban Sportive gears up for ninth edition
Cyclists from across Scotland invited to event
Oban Sportive is gearing up for its ninth year, as it promises to build on its reputation as one of Scotland’s most unique sporting events.
Cyclists from across the country are invited to participate in the Oban Distillery-sponsored event on Saturday May 20 and Sunday May 21.
The weekend kicks off with the Ben Cruachan Inn Hill Climb on Saturday, before the Sportive on Sunday.
There are two sportive routes - a 56-mile route around Loch Avich or an 87-mile route that circumnavigates Loch Awe and Cladich.
The sportive starts at the Diageo-owned Oban Distillery, with both routes following the same path south through Kilmore towards Kilmelford.
From this point, riders will travel inwards to Dalavich where the two routes will split, with the short route taking in Loch Avich before heading via Taynuilt and the Glencruitten road to the distillery finish.
The long route takes riders around Loch Awe’s shores and through Lochawe village, before rejoining the shorter route at Taynuilt to complete the same finish.
The event is sponsored by Oban Distillery, DRAX Energy, BID4Oban, Kames
Fish Farm, Rusty Cycle Shed, Leslie Bikes and other local suppliers.
Food stops will be provided by The Kilchrenan Inn for the short route and on the long route, the Dalavich Cafe is providing a food stop, before Friends of St Conan’s Kirk provide a second one at Lochawe.
The Ben Cruachan Inn Hill Climb on the first day of the event will challenge riders to tackle a 2.7 mile closed access road climb, with an average gradient of 6.9 per cent.
Climbing to an altitude of 1,044 feet, it includes gradients of nine per cent before leading up to a final ramp of up to 18 per cent. Oban Sportive proceeds will support several local charities with the Scouts, Taynuilt Cricket Club and Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance chosen this year.
The sportive’s organisers are offering every local sports club member a £20 discount on sportive entrance fees, with a £20 donation also going to their club.
Membership for their chosen club must be for the 2023 season and a unique discount code is needed when booking.
To find out more information about Oban Sportive and to request a unique club code, email info@obansportive. co.uk.