Sportive provides a two-day cycling celebration
The Oban Sportive returned for its ninth edition at the weekend for two days of cycling action.
It kicked off on Saturday with the Ben Cruachan Inn Hill Climb, before more than 120 participants set off on Sunday’s two sportive routes.
In the hill climb, Barcaldine’s Mattis Robertson narrowly clinched first place, beating second-placed Calum Fisher by one second on the gruelling closed road climb.
Heather Shanks from North Argyll Cycle Club was fastest lady, with riders enjoying stunning views on the 2.7 mile climb, with an average gradient of 6.9 per cent.
Ben Cruachan Lochawe served drink afterwards warm welcome
Inn in food and and this continued on Sunday, with the sportive starting and finishing at Oban Distillery.
There were two routes available this year, with riders choosing between an 87-mile route around Loch Awe or a 56-mile ride around Loch Avich.
Dalavich Café and the Friends of St Conan’s Kirk staffed Gatehouse Tearoom in Lochawe looked after riders on the long course, while the Kilchrenan Inn took care of the short course participants.
An army of marshals and supporters from the Scouts, Adventure Oban and local volunteers provided morale support along the routes. A range of charitable causes was supported by proceeds from entries, with the Scouts, Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance and Taynuilt
Cricket year.
Organisers also introduced an entry fee framework that saw participants secure a £20 donation to their chosen sports club.
Oban
Club benefiting
Sportive this committee member Brian Reffin said: “It takes a lot of hard work to pull together an event like this so it’s hugely worthwhile when we see the sense of achievement from everyone taking part."
Event partner BID4Oban was once again an enormous help on the day, managing and enabling many of the more difficult town logistics to help make sure everything ran smoothly.
BID4Oban chief executive Andrew Spence said: “With riders visiting, often with families in tow, the event’s impact is felt across a range of local businesses. It’s another great way through which Oban proudly puts itself on the map.”
Entries for next year’s Oban Sportive are now open, with more information available at www.obansportive.co.uk.
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