Oban Sportive 2026
Oban Sportive packed in two days of action for cyclists who took on its challenging routes and hill climb at the weekend.
Photographer Kevin McGlynn was hot on the trail of those taking part, capturing their energy and determined spirit in getting across the finishing lines.
Riders had a choice of two Sportive routes and an unforgiving hill climb up Cruachan.
On the south flank of Ben Cruachan, the 2.7 mile long route started in Loch Awe village rising over 1,000ft up to the famous Hollow Mountain Dam. Cyclists who made it were rewarded with spectacular views but to get there participants racing against the clock and each other had to overcome an average 6.9 per cent grade with the steepest of all section climbing up to 18 per cent.
On the Sunday, registration for the Sportive routes opened at 6.30am with the event itself setting off and finishing from Oban Distillery - riders set off in small groups at staggered times to avoid impacting on traffic.
The loch Awe route was the longest of the two, coming in at 87 miles - around Scotland’s longest Loch, Loch Awe and passing under the shadow of Ben Cruachan.
The 56 mile Loch Avich route, known as one of the hardest Sportive courses around according to organisers, has a reputation for its repetitive short steep climbs as riders head out on its mostly quiet single tracks.
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