Q: What is the difference between entering as a solo or as a pair?
A: The only difference is that a pair needs to stay together at all times (the event is not a relay) and they will share a kayak. We will also have prizes for both solo and pair’s categories. Soloists are likely to be asked to share kayaks so that we are able to process volumes of people.
Q. What is the highest point of the course?
A: The highest point is 470m. You will reach this point on foot when you ascend the pass on the last trekking stage
Q: What is the route profile?
A: Click here for the route profile.
Q: Do I need to provide a bike for the event?
A: Yes, you do need to provide your own bike. You can bring your own, hire one locally to you and bring it along, or arrange hire from our hire provider; Wheels of Callander.Give them a call or drop them an email, mention ‘Coast To Coast’ and make your booking: Tel.01877 331100 - ask for John or Mark. Ref mark@wheelscyclingcentre.com You can find more information about bike hire on our packages page.
Q: How do I get my bike to the transition area at Cawdor Castle?
A: The transition area at Cawdor It is NOT in Nairn, but some 7 miles to the South West. To drop off your bike, you have 4 options:
- If you are bringing your bike with you and you have a car, you will drop it off at Cawdor Castle in advance of the event on the Friday.
- If you are bringing a bike, but have no car (i.e. you have come by plane or train) you can cycle your bike to Cawdor Castle (a very pleasant little journey on minor roads) and you can then return to Nairn either on foot (7 miles), which will give you the opportunity to reconnoitre the first part of the route (in reverse!) or you can take our transfer bus from Cawdor back to Nairn, which will run regularly on Friday.
- If you are taking our bus transfer from Glencoe you and your bike will be dropped off at Cawdor Castle. You can then take our shuttle bus from Cawdor Castle transition to Nairn
Q: What happens to my bike at the end of the event?
A: You will drop your bike for the final time at the Claggan Transition, near Fort William, during the event. From here, we will transport bikes to the finish line at the Isles of Glencoe Hotel, using trucks. The bikes will then be available for you to pick up at the Isles of Glencoe Hotel. Exact times for arrival of the bikes at Glencoe cannot be given. You can also choose to pick up your bike from the Claggan Transition after you finish the event.
Q: What kind of bike should I choose?
A: If you are entering Challenger or Racer categories, you will use the same bike throughout your day, each day of the event. This could be a mountain bike, hybrid, cyclo-cross or even a tandem bike/folding bike/BMX ... we don’t mind! Road bikes are not recommended for Challenger and Racer categories, though they would be possible to use if you add appropriate tyres, good pressures and a dose of skill. . The bike choice is a talking point of this event; that’s for sure. We do not allow you to switch types of bike along the route as we want the Challenger and Racer categories to be as pure as possible; this also helps not to encourage support from others en route, outside of the designed transition areas. It is possible for Challengers to swap tyres at leisure at the Fort Augustus overnight location as you could pack these into your luggage allowance. It is also possible for Racers to swap tyres at Fort Augustus but you would need to carry these tyres in your own pack, and of course the time to swap them would be in your ‘race’ time. Therefore this latter option will have hardly any takers!
Q: Are there any more accommodation packages available?
A: You can choose one of our Accommodation Packages or from a wealth of accommodation available at Nairn, at the finish area around Glencoe/ Ballachulish and there is also accommodation available at Fort Augustus, should you wish to get a bed for the night at the mid-point, instead of camping at our free camp site. For more information on accommodation options please visit: www.visitscotland.com/guide/where-to-stay/. For accommodation options specifically around Nairn, try www.visitnairn.com and for accommodation around the finish line area, check out www.outdoorcapital.co.uk.
Q: What facilities are available at the campsite in Fort Augustus?
A: Our free camp site is provided on Saturday for all Challenger class participants ONLY. Camping space, showers and toilets are provided, plus there will be on-site caterers from which you may purchase food. There are pubs, restaurants and a minimarket in Fort Augustus too. It’s a small place and easy to get around from the camp site.
Q: If I am entered into the Challenger class, do I HAVE TO camp at Fort Augustus?
A: You don’t have to camp. We have provided a free camping service for you should you wish and there will be a great atmosphere in the camp with loads of Coast to Coast Challengers bedding down for the night, but should you wish to bag something a bit cosier in Fort Augustus or close by, that is fine. Any arrangement/ booking you make with a local hotel must be at your own responsibility.
Q: Will there be water station on the course?
A: Yes, there will be water available at each transition.
Q: What gear do I need to carry on the route and what gear will the event transport for me?
A: The mandatory kit lists are published for each category in the website pages. View Challenger kit here and Racer kit here. You must follow these rules.
Challenger: If you are a Challenger participant, the event will transport an overnight bag (including a tent and sleeping bag, if you are camping) to Fort Augustus and from Fort Augusts to the Finish. This will be available for you on your arrival in Fort Augustus. Bags must be soft (e.g. a rucksack or a duffel; no suitcases please) and there will be a maximum size. Your bike will be transported once during the event, from the final transition area at Glen Nevis to the finish line at the Isles of Glencoe Hotel. Other than that, you are responsible for the movement of your bike to and from the event.
Racer: if you are entered as Racer, you may also leave a bag with us at Registration in Nairn which we will transport from Start to Finish (not to Fort Augusts). Bags must be soft (e.g. a rucksack or a duffel; no suitcases please) and there will be a maximum size. Your bike will be transported once during the event, from the final transition area at Glen Nevis to the finish line at the Isles of Glencoe Hotel. Other than that, you are responsible for the movement of your bike to and from the event.
Q: Where is the start?
A: Please click here to view Start Location.
Q: What is the location of Registration?
A: The Registration is located in Nairn Community Centre. Post code: IV12 4BQ. Please click here to view the Registration Location.
Q: Is it possible to book a bus back from the Finish Line back to Inverness or Nairn?
A: Yes, the event is providing a transfer service for those who want to travel back to Nairn after the event. The service will transport you, your kit and your bike. The price is £30 per person and the transfer will take you to Nairn, to the start location (The bus will NOT stop at any point until it gets to Nairn).
The transport will leave on:
Saturday 15th September from the Isles of Glencoe Hotel at 21:00
Sunday 16th September from Isles of Glencoe Hotel at 10:00
Sunday 16th September from Isles of Glencoe Hotel at 21:00
Monday 17th September from Isles of Glencoe Hotel at 10:00
You can book either one of these transfer packages via the online entry system (when entering the event) or if you have entered already and want to book this, you can login to your account (login details are on your email confirmation) and purchase the bus transfer.
Isles of Glencoe to Nairn: 3 hrs
Q: What are the cut off times?
A: There will be couple of CUT OFF times. Please see below:
- 1600 Challenger CUT OFF at Claggan (Fort William). If you do not arrive at this transition by 1600 you will not be allowed to start the last trekking section.
- 1600 Expert/Racer CUT OFF at Claggan (Fort William). If you do not arrive at this transition by 1600 you will not be allowed to start the last trekking section.
- 1930 Final Kayak Stage: No access to Starting. If you do not start the kayak stage by 1930 you will be transported to the Finish.
Q: I would like to use my cycling shoes during the bike stage and running shoes during the run/trek stage. What do I do with my spare pair of shoes?
A: If you choose to take a spare pair of shoes you will need to carry them with you in your rucksack. The only exceptions are at Cawdor Castle where you can leave your cycling shoes attached to your bike (when dropping off your bike before the start of the event) and Fort William transition when you will be able to leave your cycling shoes ATTACHED to your bike (for us to transport).
