If you\u2019re tackling the Highland Cross, especially for the first time, the logistics can be a bit of a nightmare to get your head around. There\u2019s your bike to be dropped off, along with all the kit you\u2019ll need at the changeover, buses to the start to consider, weather conditions to take account of and the prospect of the dreaded midge \u2013 potentially a horror scenario, especially as you wait to get going at Kintail.<\/p>\n
So, I\u2019ve put together this little guide, which is based on my experience of doing five Crosses over the last six years. Living in Inverness, I always load the bike and get on the bus at Inverness, then arrange a lift or other transport back from Beauly after the event \u2013 but this guide is more of a \u2018what to pack where\u2019 suggestion so can be adapted to going from Beauly too.<\/p>\n
This doesn\u2019t really apply to elite athletes, who probably just pack a few energy gels and wear the same stuff on the run and the bike ride. But for anybody else, hopefully you can find some useful tips in the following.<\/p>\n
There are three places you need to consider \u2013 the changeover at Affric, the start and the finish.<\/p>\n
The first thing to consider, especially if you\u2019re loading bikes at Inverness (which you have to do on the Friday evening before the event) is the changeover. This is where you\u2019ll need your bike and any kit that goes with it. You\u2019ll also need any change of clothes or shoes you plan to use on the bike, snacks\/drinks for the transition and anything you might need on the ride.<\/p>\n
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The bike<\/strong><\/p>\n The cycle is all on road, so you\u2019re best with a road bike or at least a hybrid. Personally, I ride my tourer, which has dropped handlebars and doubles as my road bike \u2013 it\u2019s heavier than a standard road bike but it suits me!<\/p>\n For loading, protect your spokes, rear derailleur etc with a little bit of cardboard, loosely taped around the bike. Don\u2019t go overboard with the protection, though. You see some fully-clad bikes arriving at the drop-off point but it\u2019s easier for the volunteers to deal with smaller amounts of packaging and less likely that bits of it will be left on when you arrive!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Changeover bag<\/strong><\/p>\n Along with your bike, you\u2019ll leave a changeover bag. This should be waterproof – a large dry bag is ideal. This is roughly what I stick in mine (depending on the weather forecast etc), remembering that anything you don\u2019t want on the day can be stuck back on the baggage van to be taken to the finish anyway, so I err on the side of caution.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Helmet (mandatory for the cycle section of the event)<\/p>\n Bike shoes<\/p>\n Spare socks\/underwear (in case the run has been particularly wet!)<\/p>\n Padded shorts<\/p>\n Cycling shorts\/longs<\/p>\n Biking top<\/p>\n Jacket<\/p>\n Drink bottle (I often fill these in advance but water is available at the changeover)<\/p>\n Energy drink (to drink during transition)<\/p>\n Food (to eat at transition \u2013 this year I\u2019m thinking fruit cake and energy bars)<\/p>\n Bike spares\/repair kit\/pump (these need to be kept off the bike for transport, so have them ready to re-attach to the bike quickly, or stick in a pocket)<\/p>\n Gloves\/buff<\/p>\n <\/p>\n At the start<\/strong><\/p>\n The next thing to prepare is your kit for the run and anything else you might need on the way to the start and before you get going. There is some basic mandatory kit you need to run with, plus there\u2019s a baggage van that will take anything else back to Beauly to pick up at the finish.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t forget \u2013 nothing you drop off here will go to the changeover at Affric, only to the finish.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n On the run:<\/em><\/p>\n Bag (rucksack, bum bag, ultra backpack, whatever floats your boat!)<\/p>\n Waterproof top and bottoms<\/p>\n Drink<\/p>\n Energy bars\/Shotblocks etc (whatever your running fuel is)<\/p>\n Phone<\/p>\n GPS watch (remember, it doesn\u2019t count if it\u2019s not on Strava!)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n For the bag bus:<\/em><\/p>\n Breakfast food\/drink for on the bus or on arrival at Kintail<\/p>\n Money (the local school runs a breakfast bar to raise funds \u2013 coffee anyone?)<\/p>\n Suncream<\/p>\n Smidge (midge spray) and midge net<\/p>\n Larger coat\/waterproofs (to wear before stripping to the running kit)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n At the finish<\/strong><\/p>\n There\u2019s loads of help at the finish, including the fantastic food put on by volunteers at the Phipps Hall, but it\u2019s worth sticking a few bits in your car or with whoever is meeting you at the finish to ensure you\u2019re comfortable (well, as comfortable as can be expected after 50 miles through the Highlands).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Dry clothes<\/p>\n Water plus rehydration tabs<\/p>\n Towel<\/p>\n Wallet<\/p>\n And, last but not least, for those who are this way inclined \u2013 beer!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n * All your bags and your bike should have a waterproof number attached to identify your kit on the day. I print a sheet of numbers, along with my name and contact details, then cut them up and laminate them so I can cut them into individual waterproof cards.<\/p>\n Attach a couple to your bike \u2013 on the seat and the handlebars; one on your helmet (which must go inside your changeover bag, not hanging loose on the outside), one to each bag and stick one inside each bag as well, in case they get torn off in transit. It has helped reunite me with a lost bag once, so worth being organised!<\/p>\n Good luck and enjoy the Highland Cross.<\/p>\n