On September 15, a new 10-hour enduro left Raasay House on a shortened prologue lap. Organisers Phil Hodgkiss and Gary Tompsett called off the full 11-mile prologue lap with a few minutes to go. “The mountainous prologue was too exposed to risk in the conditions [a force five wind],” Phil commented.
With the shortened prologue lap completed, teams and pairs passed through the transition area and into the main seven-mile forest and shore lap. Raasay House Blue Lounge hosted waiting riders who rubbed misty windows with one hand to squint out (the other hand held a cup of tea). At the five-hour mid-point the wind had escalated, but the riders’ determination matched it. The local fire service made sure that all bikes — and riders — were cleaned off and ready to go again until the 10th hour passed and only three riders remained out on route.
Presentations of beautiful Yew trophies were made to the winners (results on www.raasayrumble.com), then Breabach launched into a well-received Ceilidh.
Not surprisingly, Sunday was mostly about huddling round the open fires and cafe tables to share un-exaggerated tales of derring do…