Today we were happy to once again act as a Feed Station for Oban Sportive. For the fourth successive year, our volunteers handed out water and cakes to the saddle weary but impressively fit cyclists taking part. This event is a true “sportive” and not a race.
Our Feed Station was the second and last on the Long Route. This takes the cyclists along 87 miles of stunning scenery. Sadly today the weather did not play the game! Intermittent very heavy rain added to the challenge of Sportive: there was even a hail shower in the early afternoon. Around Ford, at the far end of Loch Awe, the cyclists have the choice of taking the long route all the way up the southern side of the loch, turning towards Oban at the Kilchurn Castle end, or the shorter route along the northern side. The cold and wet understandably tempted a larger number than usual to head back via the shorter route.
Despite the conditions some hardy souls sped past us without a refueling stop. Most did however, take the opportunity to stop, fill up their water bottles, have a short rest and enjoy the bananas, tablet and delicious cakes provided by Oban Sportive. Though looking forward to hot baths at the end of their day, everyone seemed remarkably cheerful.
As previously, the St Conan’s volunteers enjoyed being part of this. Given the conditions, we were also very happy that the Sportive support team had managed to raise the gazebo!
