Diary of a Centre Assistant (CA) – Haf
The Torridon Classic
When Josh asked if I wanted to “recce” a route for work, I was hesitant—until he mentioned the location. The opportunity to ride in such a beautiful area was too good to pass up. We drove to Torridon and spent the first night at a free campsite. The weather looked bleak, but we were here, and excitement for what lay ahead was all that mattered.
We woke early on Thursday, a promising morning after the previous day’s gloom. We packed up camp and drove five minutes to the start of the Torridon Classic. The car park was bustling with climbers and hikers, all of us setting off on our own adventures.
We didn’t know what to expect, other than two brutal climbs, each a 500-meter ascent, and the promise of incredible descents. After a few kilometres on a quiet road, we turned onto a dirt track that snaked through a massive estate. This led to the first big climb. A head injury had kept me off my bike for a year, and I’d lost a lot of fitness, so this climb was a gruelling challenge. The weather, which had been so promising, turned into a hot, windless day under a blue sky. We were forced to take lots of breaks, but the heat also brought out swarms of hungry horseflies.
Despite the challenges, this ride is still one of the best I’ve ever done. The first brutal climb was followed by an epic descent into Achnashellach. It’s probably the most remote ride I’ve ever done, and while the thought of something going wrong was unnerving, it was exhilarating to access such a wild place by bike. The descent was a perfect mix of technical corners, switchbacks, and dreamlike rock slabs mixed with chunky, rocky sections.
We hit the halfway point in Achnashellach and refuelled with our trusted Lidl bakery pizzas. We were exhausted but prepared for the second climb, which felt like a fever dream. The glaring sun made it the most challenging ascent I’ve ever faced. I have to thank Josh for his patience; his fitness is on a different level, and the climb was a huge mental challenge for me, but he didn’t mind waiting. After what felt like a year of climbing and a 20-minute break in a cold bothy, we reached the top.
The second descent was even better than the first, a seemingly endless series of slabs with a stunning view of Liathach in front of us. It took us all the way down to Torridon, where we stopped at the fancy Torridon Hotel for a couple of pints of coke. The bill was £15 for four cokes, ouch! It was incredible to end our journey at the sea after traversing such a massive landscape. I would recommend this route to anyone looking to get into bigger mountain rides. Remember to roam responsibly, respect the countryside code, and leave no trace.
Tips and Tricks for Hill Riding
Riding in the hills can be both terrifying and truly wonderful. Here are a few tips to stay safe in mountainous terrain, whether you’re on a bike or on foot.
Having grown up in the mountains of North Wales, I’ve had countless opportunities to learn essential safety skills in these environments. I find it difficult to justify going on these big, remote journeys by myself because I’ve seen the consequences first-hand, but I do occasionally ride solo. When I head out alone, I ensure my phone is fully charged and I have a portable charger with me. I carry a well-stocked first aid kit and a group shelter, as well as a map and compass. I always send my route and estimated completion time to at least two contacts, letting them know when they should worry if they haven’t heard from me. My partner, family, and I also share our locations on Life360 as an extra precaution since we all enjoy adventurous, and sometimes dangerous, pursuits!
Beyond emergency gear, I also ensure I’m dressed appropriately and have the right equipment. My bag always contains a puncture repair kit (plugs, patches, a tire boot made from an old toothpaste tube, and a spare tube), a multitool with hex keys, Allen keys, and a cross-headed screwdriver. I also carry a Lezyne Micro Floor Drive pump, a waterproof coat, and extra water at a minimum. Of course, this changes depending on the route, weather, and time of year.
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