Bealach na Bà cycling sportive in Wester Ross enjoys resurgence after switch to Shieldaig Community Association ownership

An iconic ‘bucket-list’ cycling event in the Wester Ross wilds is enjoying a dramatic revival after being brought into community control.

The annual Bealach na Bà Cycle Sportive, first staged in summer 2006, had experienced dwindling entry numbers in recent years.

Now, with relaunch in community hands, entry numbers look set to double.

Despite unrivalled sea and mountain scenery and its status as the UK’s toughest road climb, the growth of rival events and proximity to the popular Etape Caledonia were blamed for the fall in competitor numbers.

As a consequence, organisers Hands On Events announced last year that 2024 would be its last involvement.

Shieldaig Community Trust, mindful of the event’s positive impact locally in the last two decades, decided to take ownership with the aim of channelling profits back into local good causes.

The relaunch and shift to a May 17 race date this year seems to have done the trick - with well over 300 of 500 places already taken.

Last year, only 220 took part.

Rising from 626 metres from sea level in just 10km, the Bealach is recognised as the toughest and most intense climb on UK soil.

Organiser Ruairidh MacLennan, a member of Shieldaig Community Association who runs Shieldaig Camping & Cabins above the village, said: “With this transition to community control, all proceeds will now go directly to local causes, ensuring a lasting positive impact on the community.

“Cyclists can take part knowing their entry fee is making a real difference.

“We felt if we didn’t do it, someone else would come in and take ownership.

“It is better we do it ourselves and hopefully make some money from it.

“Hands-on Events ran it very successfully for many years, but the numbers were dropping towards the end so we’ve given it a refresh.

“In the first few years they had 500 or so entering, but there weren’t many alternative events back then.

“There’s been an explosion of events since. We’ve taken the decision to fit it in between the Etape Loch Ness and the Etape Caledonia, and I think that’s partly why we are seeing a lot more people showing interest.

“Hopefully, if numbers keep growing, we’ll get to our target entry cap of 500. That would be absolutely brilliant.”

A real coup for the event has been landing Kinesis bike company as main sponsor, with an innovative prize now in store.

Mr MacLennan said: “When you enter, your race number will be like a raffle ticket. If your number gets drawn, you will win a brand new Kinesis road bike.

“It is one we’ve never seen before and it was our idea to do it like this. Hopefully, it will incentivise entry for a lot of people.”

The benefits of becoming a community-run event have been evident in goodwill and financial savings.

Torridon Mountain Rescue Team will be paid to provide first aid, ensuring a valuable local emergency service benefits directly, rather than an outside third party.

Mr MacLennan stressed: “The whole ethos is for it to be a community run event, with community benefits and a view to making money for the village.

“There will also be a donation to Applecross Primary School. The village recently bought the village hall, which is in need of some refurbishment.

“By being a community event, we’ve been able to reduce some of the running costs, with companies making donations and Highland Council waiving the road closure costs, which would have been £1500.”

ARK Estates is also donating cash for water bottles, while Voom nutrition is providing energy gels and other products.

Nanny's Shieldaig coffee shop is providing packed lunches for all the marshals.

Mr MacLennan added: “It would have been a shame to lose the event. Not only does it generate money, it has also been a good inspirational, and aspirational, event for lots of people who live around here.

“For lots of people, myself included and a few of my pals, it was the reason we got into cycling. Hopefully that will be replicated with our kids as well.

“That was part of the reason - we wanted to keep that legacy going.”

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