The Bà Sportive - Final Details

A  BIG Hullo from the team behind the scenes at The Bà

We’re buzzing to welcome you to the Bà Sportive!

The Bealach Na Bà pass has just been re-tarred and we think it might blow your socks off!

Here’s what you need to know to plan your weekend; 

🔑 Key Info at a Glance

• Camping field: Opens Friday 5pm ( basic facilities, come prepared).
• Registration Opens (Fri): 6:00–8:00pm (Sat) 7-8.15am (please try to register as early as possible)  
• Sportive rolling start (Sat): 8.30–9am ( the later you start the faster you ride) 
• Bealach road closure (Tornapress): 10:30–11:30am.
• Bealach Cut-off (Tornapress): 11:30am – if you arrive after, you can continue via Shieldaig on the low route.
• Refill stations:  Strathcarron · Applecross · Shieldaig.
• GPX file: 👉 Download from HERE 
• Kit note: No tri-bars on bikes
• Saturday night ceilidh: Dance the night away with the brilliant Scottish trad band Falasgair.

📝 Registration

Register in the Kinlochewe Village Hall at the earliest opportunity It helps us get everyone organised and keeps Saturday morning running smoothly. Friday evening between 6:00–8pm or Saturday 7 – 8.15am 

 ⏱ Rolling Start

We’ve moved the start 30 minutes earlier at the request of the Applecross community, so local businesses don’t lose out on lunchtime trade.

The aim is to get everyone to Tornapress for as close to 10:30am – you won’t be able to start the climb before then but you wont get up it if you arrive after 11.30  so choose a start time that suits your riding between 8:30–9:00am.

Depending on numbers, we may set riders off in waves – if so, we’ll confirm this at registration.

🎒 Kit

We’ve got a real mix of seasoned riders and mileage newbies this year – how exciting! 🚴 Here’s your quick kit reminder at a glance:

🧥 Windproof/waterproof – the Bealach descent gets cold, even on sunny days
🔧 Repair kit – spare tube, pump, levers, multi-tool
🧤 Other essentials – gloves, buff, food & drink, thermal layer

👉 September in the Highlands can swing from summer to winter fast – be ready for anything!

🏕 Parking & Camping Field

We’ve got a camping & parking field in the beautiful wee village of Incheril, just half a mile from Kinlochewe. All event parking will be here too (unless directed otherwise by marshals) – just follow the signs when you arrive. Campervans will fit through the gates, but motorhomes won’t – so please don’t bring one unless you’ve got other parking sorted. We highly recommend camping – it’s a stunning spot! The field is yours to camp in for the weekend for a £10 donation (cash on the gate) day parking is free. 

Please keep in mind:

• The field has homes scattered around it – be respectful, especially at night. If you know you’re a loud camper, think carefully about where you pitch!
• No fires or disposable BBQs. The Highlands have had devastating wildfires this year, so please be mindful before you light a spark. Well managed stoves are fine to use.
• Food: Kinlochewe Pizzeria will be serving up BàNging pizza, coffee, and bakes all weekend. The Hotel serves food too (best to book ahead). And the petrol station does a cracking breakfast roll. Also Don’t miss the Kinlochewe Stores – honestly, one of the best village shops in the Highlands so pop in over the weekend. 
• Car share if you can (and if you’re looking for a lift/share, pop a post on our Instagram page

🥤 Support on Route

• Àban  Outdoor will be on the route with their minibus and brilliant crew if you get into real bother and end up falling behind – but aim to be self-sufficient.
• ABC Medics will be on the road should you have a whoopsy ( but please don't) 
• Cheer/Refill stations at Strathcarron, Applecross, and Shieldaig – stocked with home bakes, bananas, and water, but we recommend you carry tried and tested nutrition with you. 

📌 Note – Duathlon Running Alongside

You may be aware that this year we’ve added The Bà Duathlon, which runs at the same time as the Sportive.

• Du-athletes will run from Kinlochewe to Coulags, where their bike transition is, and from there they’ll join the Sportive route.
• They’ll also be aiming for the Bealach between 10:30–11:30am.
• You’ll spot them easily – their numbers are 1–99.
• The merge point at Coulags will be marshalled and signed, but please keep an extra eye out on the day.

🎉 After the Finish

We expect you'll all be off the course by 5:00pm 

The Kinlochewe Village Hall will be serving up food and drinks all afternoon to refuel tired legs, and then later in the evening we’ll have LIVE MUSIC from the fantastic Scottish trad band Falasgair – so you can dancing all those aches and pains away!

Yeeehaaa – we can’t wait to see you all there!

Big Hugs Team Bà

👉 Give us a shout on social media: @TheBaEventSeries on Instagram!