Inverinathon - 13th February 2011 from 10:30am

Argyll is beautiful this time of year with short days & autumn/spring (delete as necessary) truly settling in. When the sun shines and the horizontal rain takes a breather it's simply amazing. So why not spice up your training this time of year with a low-key, old-school, self-supported duathlon ? Averil and I have joined forces with my work colleague Tom and we've come up with this idea.

Firstly we have to make clear this is not a formal or organized race. It's simply that we intend, on 13^th Feb to undertake a run followed by a cycle. If the route and terrain "floats your boat" then you too are welcome to join us and we can compare notes over some pasta later on. It is not a Triathlon Club organized event, nor a Forest Enterprize sanctioned event. There is no insurance, there is no support – you are on your own. You have every right to turn up and run then turn up and cycle. But the risk is all yours.

Right having cleared that up : here's the run we found ...   This is a modest 4.3k run in an anticlockwise direction. It starts from the small carpark in Inverinan and the immediate climb will test you straight away. 

Inverinathon: Run Plan

The surface is likely to be damp trail – possibly some surface water but probably not overly muddy. 

When you crest the hill keep to the left fork of the trail and cross a shallow stream. If you take care you don't need to have wet feet. Run on the grass along the ridge and enjoy the view. You will descend rapidly in a river valley – be careful on the descent - and cross a little forestry bridge over a plunge pool. Then climb back up the other side, tuning left for 15m onto a forestry track and left again onto a narrower trail. This is quite sharply downhill with slippery rotting leaves in places and will take you on the edge of some crofts on it's way to the road. Take care as you turn left onto the road and make your way downhill to T1. Try to be aware of vehicles. The road is single track and you should be prepared to give way. 

Inverinathon:  Run Profile

The cycle is just over 23.5k – with your 2^nd run taking pace at approx 17k. There is an internal loop within the main clockwise loop – if you see what I mean. Check out the map : 

From Inverinan you cycle back the way you just ran in. Open single track roads - and obeying the highway code. At approx 1k from T1 you turn left down towards Loch Awe (that's approx at the 1o'clock position on the map) . The quality of this forestry track is very good and without mud – built for speed ! If you have the inclination and the weather is good you might see this ….

....which is Loch Awe taken looking back towards Cruachan. And later - if you don't get lost and you make it safely around the 1st loop you might see Loch Avich in late autumnal splendour ..  

At approx 7k (the 6 o'clock position on the map) you turn right into the 1^st loop and you climb – the view hopefully will be worth it. Remember: she who toils upon the ascent has has drop-dead fab-fun on the downhill. You will rejoin the track at the edge of the loch and retrace your route but this time you don't turn right. You proceed another 400m and come to the main road. Here turn right - crossing over the road (carefully) and climb the hill taking an almost immediate left onto the Kilmelford Rd. 

You will have hardly done that by the time you need to switch left down onto the “River Road” forestry trail. You get a little downhill relief from the burning lactate here so enjoy it. All too soon that downhill is just a memory again as you climb towards Loch Avich. Note the beautiful waterfall to your right on the way up. Stop if you want to -there's a seat.  The surface quality of all these trails is very good. Here's an example.

 There are no turns off the River Road so you can't go wrong - ride your way to to the junction with the main Kilmelford Rd and carefully cross. You are now at the 9 o'clock position on the map and have reached the Quarry Road forestry trail. Proceed along the trail until you see someone flag you down at approx 18k – T2. 

This is your vicious and cruel 2^nd run. Your bike is left at T2 and you run for 750m up the “spike of doom” (approx at a 12 o'clock position on the map) ; you pass the cone and run back down to your bike. You will not be overly happy going up the spike but your bike will seem such a friend to you when you do get down. Leave T2 and continue onwards along the Quarry Rd., After approx 4k you will hit the main road. Turn left back towards Inverinan and your self-supported Duathlon completes.

Tips :

• There is a second run towards the end of your bike - make sure you can run in whatever shoes you cycle in.
• Bring gloves.
• The route is not suitable for a road bike. Borrow a mountain bike.
• If you intend to join us fill then Email us at daretotrilife@gmail.com and I'll Email you back a form. Take care to give a bit of thought when estimating your times. 
• We will provide you with a specific start time though the morning with a view to all of us finishing at the same time. Just turn up and start at your allocated time.
• Be prepared for all weathers & have good quality clothing.
• Have spares.
• Bring nutrition.
• Make sure your bike is in good order - there's always a proper road close to you if you have a problem.
• There might be some signage for you or there might not - so check with us if you are unsure of the route.
• Bring a mobile phone – there is a reception point at approx 19k – call us if you need support. 
• Be happy
• Enjoy
• Bring a dish/chitterybites/champagne to share in the post-duathlon recovery buffet
• Ice/Snow = cancelled – if it's icy we will notify you by Email on Saturday 12^th

any questions : Email daretotrilife@gmail.com