70 Wild Miles; A charity triathlon in aid of CLIC Sargent

Caring for Children with Cancer.

Much has now been said, written and reported about 70 Wild Miles. A great variety of people have taken part, helped out, donated money to, or in some cases, done all these things. Why? I hear you ask and what's the attraction? Simple. It's enjoyment and the satisfaction of meeting together with a broad section of the public and doing some good along the way. As reported elsewhere in this Site, 70 Wild Miles enjoys a route which covers some of the most beautiful parts of Scotland. But let me tell you briefly about some of the other attractions on offer from this unique Highland triathlon.....

     Take part and you'll be up early for the 7:30 am start at white Corries Ski Centre. You'll be despatched at one minute intervals by some rather "rough round the edges" cyclists who wouldn't dream of cycling 47 miles without the assistance of a 1000cc engine! Rough they may look and, I suppose, a bit rough they may be but these chaps have hearts as big as Buchaille Etive Mor and they are all there to provide the results service armed with the stopwatches and laptops they keep in their panniers. As you pass Tyndrum and Dalmally, stop for a drink or give a wave to the many Scottish Venture Scouts who provide the marshalling and feeding stations. Together with the flying timekeepers from the Special K Motorcycle Club, you'll see the Venture Scouts popping up though out the day.

     After you've completed your cycle section at Taynuilt, our team of volunteer drivers work their magic by relieving you of your bike and supplying you with your canoe and paddle for the next bit of fun on Loch Etive. Look around while you relax here and enjoy some food and drink. You'll see an armada of rescue boats from various sources. The R.N.L.I., The Oban Lifeboat, South Queensferry Diving Club and several individual boat owners who all come along with one aim - to make sure that you are as safe as possible for your 10 miles of torture on Loch Etive. All boats carry radio contact supplied by Raynet Emergency Communications and each boat also has the benefit of first aid cover supplied by the Lochaber Red Cross.
     Once you arrive at Glen Etive you'll have plenty of help on hand to pull you and your canoe from the loch. When you have dried off and recovered, almost 13 miles of single track road awaits you. This is definitely where you have to forget the pain and fatigue and concentrate on the breathtaking scenery of this beautiful glen.
     Well Done.... you've finished. What now? Time for refreshments back at The Glencoe Hotel. Time to compare stories, aches and pains. Time for the helpers to wonder how you managed to cover so many miles and are still able to walk to the bar. Time for you to wonder how these helpers managed to swallow so many beers and are still able to walk to the bar! A good humoured, very friendly and extremely loud disco rounds off the day.

Ian Allan