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JUST PASSING THROUGH - The road to the Applecross Pass
Featuring the Renault Sport Clio 182 Cup



At mid-day I had a brain storm. I fired up my Mac and went onto Google Maps for a look to see if it was feasible. 439 mi and approx. 11 hours 2 mins. 100 miles short of a trip to London and without the luxury of a motorway...best get going!

Link to Google Maps: http://tiny.cc/applecrossmap

I decided today was the day to head over to the infamous Applecross pass. I was in at Shell by 1 and with tyres, oil and fuel taken care off I was pointing the Clio westwards.



Up and over the A93 through Ballater, Braemar, the Cairngorms national park and finally through the snow gates approaching Glen Shee. This road is absolutely fantastic as it snakes along a valley floor between the hills. Higher speeds easily obtainable and with a view sometimes well in excess of a mile you can happily use both sides of the sweeping road. I could write a thread on the A93 alone.



The signs show this road is not to be messed with, that's 3 within a few meters! Down the other side and into another valley floor. An epically long straight followed by a lumpy, bumpy, yumpy and sometimes jumpy stretch that's scarred with the marks of many fouled sumps. The A93 is a road of extreme contrasts. Clio is in its element, with the sensible ride height providing plenty of wheel travel there is no need for the pace to drop. Just as well I saved lunch till later...





70 miles covered and its time for a lunch stop. Thank you Shell petrol station for providing V Power and a delicious sandwich. As the Clio ticked it's self cool I sat and watched drenched bikers doing their best to pedal the two miles of steep gradient, better turn the heater on it's getting cold in here!







The long straight in the picture above? You bet I did!

As entertaining as they are I've always thought of the majority of Scottish roads as imperfect, lumpen and neglected. Imagine my surprise when in the middle of the highlands and hugging the edge of a Loch I came across a pristine, almost virgin, stretch of black tarmac that lasted for miles upon miles. If you have a car with firm suspension and a low ride height then this is the road for you.



After finally reaching the top of another summit I came across a view that was really worth stopping for.





Mountains behind and more mountains in front. No going back now!







Time for tea. Nutritious! What a view to grab a bite to eat beside.





The famous, or should that be infamous sign. I think it'd make a lot of people think twice but this is what I've come almost 200 miles for.





On the way up I stopped to snap a few photo's to show the intimidating road and land scape. No claims of flat out pedalling here, this road needs to be treated with respect. Steep drops to the left, only wide enough for one car and armco barrier that probably brings a false sense of security.







It really is Scotland's own version of the Stelvio Pass. Below is the view from the first parking spot back down the valley. This has to be seen with your own eyes to be appreciated...





Above is the view from the summit. I don't know how but the further you go the better the views get, it's stunning! Some old couple had set up there motor home here, perhaps I can see the perks of caravan-ing when there is a view like this to wake up to.



Looking out over the Atlantic as the sun sets, perfect end to a perfect drive...well it would be but for the drive home. Road to Inverness is flat, open and has the potential for huge speeds. The prospect of meeting a deer was enough to keep my cruising speed down though. Entering Inverness on the Kessock Bridge at night makes for a grand entrance. I guelled up at a 24H Esso (thank you iPhone and Googlemaps) before setting my sights on Aberdeen and making my way home with no more stops.

~fin~

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Originally posted by nick_sri
clean it every time you took a pic

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Originally posted by chrisritch
holy shit!........you get appletiser in a can :O

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Originally posted by BluKoo
Those images are why i love Scotland!

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