0:00:27 > 0:00:29Lovely day for a ride!
0:00:29 > 0:00:32Hello and a very warm welcome to The Adventure Show.
0:00:32 > 0:00:35This month, we're at the UK's highest sportive,
0:00:35 > 0:00:36the 3 Pistes,
0:00:36 > 0:00:38and as the name suggests,
0:00:38 > 0:00:41it takes riders through three of the most iconic ski resorts
0:00:41 > 0:00:44in the country - Glenshee, The Lecht
0:00:44 > 0:00:45and then, the sting in the tail,
0:00:45 > 0:00:48finishing right here in the Cairngorms.
0:00:48 > 0:00:49Hello, guys!
0:00:49 > 0:00:52It's a total of 102 miles
0:00:52 > 0:00:56or 165km long and takes in
0:00:56 > 0:00:59the two highest road passes in Scotland.
0:00:59 > 0:01:02There's just about the same amount of climb as three Munros,
0:01:02 > 0:01:04which will be a lot.
0:01:04 > 0:01:08There's over 2,000m of ascent
0:01:08 > 0:01:11and eight long, unremitting climbs.
0:01:11 > 0:01:14- It's a bit of a shocker, this one! - LAUGHTER
0:01:14 > 0:01:17Technically, this is a sportive, not a race,
0:01:17 > 0:01:19with no prize money at the end,
0:01:19 > 0:01:22but be rest assured, these Lycra-clad heroes
0:01:22 > 0:01:24are absolutely out for the best time.
0:01:24 > 0:01:27You'd be lying if you said you didn't want a good time.
0:01:27 > 0:01:29Everyone wants an amazing time.
0:01:29 > 0:01:31I always try and focus on the cyclist ahead
0:01:31 > 0:01:35and try and catch up with him and then concentrate on the next one.
0:01:35 > 0:01:37Also in this month's Adventure Show,
0:01:37 > 0:01:39we have an exclusive report from Nepal
0:01:39 > 0:01:43after the devastating earthquakes earlier in the year.
0:01:43 > 0:01:46We follow Fife man James Lamb
0:01:46 > 0:01:48as he returns to the hill village of Phortse
0:01:48 > 0:01:51and discovers that five months later,
0:01:51 > 0:01:54no outside aid has reached these mountain communities.
0:01:54 > 0:01:59There's an elderly guy who's living in a tent on his own
0:01:59 > 0:02:02and he can barely, barely walk.
0:02:02 > 0:02:04Winter's not that far away.
0:02:07 > 0:02:10But first, to the 3 Pistes Sportive.
0:02:10 > 0:02:13This is the final climb of the event up into Cairngorm.
0:02:13 > 0:02:15I've done this a couple of times before and it is a monster,
0:02:15 > 0:02:19so, no, I couldn't be persuaded to take part in the event.
0:02:19 > 0:02:22Deziree Wilson, however, will be the Adventure Show guinea pig
0:02:22 > 0:02:25and she'll be tackling the gruelling ascent into Glenshee
0:02:25 > 0:02:28and we'll see how she gets on later in the programme.
0:02:28 > 0:02:30Right now, though, there are some pretty nervous bikers
0:02:30 > 0:02:33way back at the start in Pitlochry.
0:02:33 > 0:02:34The biggest fear for them
0:02:34 > 0:02:39is actually at The Lecht, going up the big, steep wall,
0:02:39 > 0:02:42because if that's wet and they stop,
0:02:42 > 0:02:43they're not going to get started again.
0:02:43 > 0:02:45It is going to be walking up the hill.
0:02:45 > 0:02:47Are you ready for a good bike ride, lads?
0:02:47 > 0:02:49- Absolutely.- There we go.
0:02:49 > 0:02:50LAUGHTER
0:02:50 > 0:02:52Over 900 people have signed up
0:02:52 > 0:02:56for what's one of Britain's most prestigious sportives
0:02:56 > 0:02:59and, as usual for this kind of event, it's a staggered start.
0:02:59 > 0:03:03Cyclists can set off any time between 7 and 9am.
0:03:03 > 0:03:05Good luck, boys!
0:03:05 > 0:03:07As ever, tactics are vital.
0:03:07 > 0:03:10Some of the faster riders are playing a waiting game.
0:03:10 > 0:03:14Why? Because later, the weather's forecast to get better.
0:03:14 > 0:03:17Right now, it's raining down here in Pitlochry
0:03:17 > 0:03:20and it's much, much colder higher up.
0:03:20 > 0:03:21This is what Scotland is about.
0:03:21 > 0:03:22LAUGHTER
0:03:22 > 0:03:25I hope we'll be able to see the actual Lecht path.
0:03:25 > 0:03:28You know, the bit where it goes, like, "Whoo! 20%!"
0:03:28 > 0:03:32I camped last night in a tent so I'm absolutely knackered.
0:03:32 > 0:03:34Anything that you're feeling a bit nervous about?
0:03:34 > 0:03:38Yeah, snow, ice - things like that.
0:03:38 > 0:03:41It looks like upwards of maybe 100 riders
0:03:41 > 0:03:44looking for the earliest slot possible.
0:03:44 > 0:03:48- ANNOUNCER:- Five, four, three, two, one -
0:03:48 > 0:03:52have a brilliant ride folks, we'll see you at Cairngorm.
0:03:52 > 0:03:55Enjoy the mountains, enjoy the rain!
0:03:55 > 0:03:57And they're off.
0:03:57 > 0:04:00It looks like a fairly sedate start.
0:04:00 > 0:04:02Because it's such a long ride,
0:04:02 > 0:04:05folks are starting off really quite slowly, actually.
0:04:05 > 0:04:07But make no mistake -
0:04:07 > 0:04:09although this is not supposed to be a race,
0:04:09 > 0:04:11there are some extremely serious riders
0:04:11 > 0:04:14who'll be going flat-out for the best times.
0:04:15 > 0:04:17The event starts here in Pitlochry
0:04:17 > 0:04:20with a 40km ride to the Spittal of Glenshee,
0:04:20 > 0:04:23just to get everyone in the mood.
0:04:23 > 0:04:25Then things get serious,
0:04:25 > 0:04:28with over 600m of climbing to the top of the pass
0:04:28 > 0:04:31at the highest point of the course.
0:04:31 > 0:04:33There's a speedy whizz down to Braemar
0:04:33 > 0:04:35followed by a lung-breaking ascent
0:04:35 > 0:04:37up to The Lecht.
0:04:37 > 0:04:40The bikers then wind their way round to Aviemore
0:04:40 > 0:04:45before that final, brutal climb to the Cairngorm Ski Centre.
0:04:45 > 0:04:48It will take careful pacing, as well as strength and endurance,
0:04:48 > 0:04:50to make it round this course,
0:04:50 > 0:04:51and for slower riders,
0:04:51 > 0:04:54there's the added pressure of the broom wagon,
0:04:54 > 0:04:58sweeping up cyclists who don't make it before the cut-off times.
0:04:58 > 0:05:01So, back to an unseasonable May Saturday
0:05:01 > 0:05:05and the 2015 3 Pistes Sportive.
0:05:05 > 0:05:07There's no warm-up, straight out of the village
0:05:07 > 0:05:13up this very, very long and very cold climb this morning.
0:05:15 > 0:05:20And the other factor is that it's forecast to be very, very windy.
0:05:20 > 0:05:24We're down to about maybe five degrees, rainy and windy.
0:05:24 > 0:05:27A true Scottish cycling challenge today.
0:05:27 > 0:05:29It nearly always snows, rains
0:05:29 > 0:05:32or there's hail in the weather.
0:05:32 > 0:05:35Hail in the wind hurts. It stings your face.
0:05:35 > 0:05:39If it snows...it makes it all the more fun(!)
0:05:39 > 0:05:41How are you getting on?
0:05:41 > 0:05:44- Are you loving the weather? - Oh, grand(!)
0:05:44 > 0:05:45I did it last year
0:05:45 > 0:05:47so I know what I signed up for.
0:05:47 > 0:05:50I think it's the greatest sportive
0:05:50 > 0:05:53in Scotland and, well...it's not easy.
0:05:55 > 0:05:57And some people seem to be making it even harder.
0:05:57 > 0:06:02Tim Downie has decided to tackle the route on an ElliptiGO -
0:06:02 > 0:06:07a bike that's like a cross trainer on wheels, and one with no saddle.
0:06:07 > 0:06:09Not going fast but we're getting there.
0:06:09 > 0:06:10- Good, you're doing well. - Thank you.
0:06:10 > 0:06:15A day before the event, he gave us a demonstration of its finer points.
0:06:15 > 0:06:16You never get a sore bottom.
0:06:16 > 0:06:18I'm the one who's always comfortable,
0:06:18 > 0:06:19I can still walk afterwards,
0:06:19 > 0:06:22cos you don't get those kind of wobbly legs when you step off
0:06:22 > 0:06:23cos it's more like a running motion,
0:06:23 > 0:06:26you step off and you just carry on walking normally.
0:06:26 > 0:06:28And in terms of speed and things like that?
0:06:28 > 0:06:30Downhill, I can go quite quickly, but on the flat,
0:06:30 > 0:06:32I'm lucky if I hit about 15mph.
0:06:32 > 0:06:35The aerodynamics are not good. You're standing straight upright.
0:06:35 > 0:06:37I'll be grinding away in bottom gear quite a lot, I should imagine,
0:06:37 > 0:06:41but, yeah, it...it'll be interesting.
0:06:41 > 0:06:46Tim's not the only person tackling this event in a different way.
0:06:46 > 0:06:49Sean Stone and his partner Laura Anderson
0:06:49 > 0:06:51are doing it on a tandem.
0:06:51 > 0:06:55So, the big question is, how many times do they argue?
0:06:55 > 0:06:57- LAUGHTER - Erm, oh...lots!
0:06:57 > 0:07:01Last weekend I did say to Sean, "Slow down a bit."
0:07:01 > 0:07:03He said, "What's up, what's up?"
0:07:03 > 0:07:05I said, "Nothing, I'm just scared!"
0:07:05 > 0:07:06LAUGHTER
0:07:06 > 0:07:08The tandem is very fast on downhills,
0:07:08 > 0:07:10significantly quicker than ordinary bikes.
0:07:10 > 0:07:12You've got a lot less wind resistance, too.
0:07:12 > 0:07:15It can get past 60mph on downhill. I'll be watching the speed,
0:07:15 > 0:07:18I've got a speedo on the bar so I'll make sure I don't break the speed limit
0:07:18 > 0:07:20going down the far side of The Lecht.
0:07:20 > 0:07:22Obviously you have to trust each other.
0:07:22 > 0:07:26I have to trust Sean more because he has gears and brakes.
0:07:26 > 0:07:28It is quite scary at times.
0:07:28 > 0:07:31- Cheers, guys, see you later. - See you, bye.- Enjoy.
0:07:34 > 0:07:36Well, after a staggered start this morning,
0:07:36 > 0:07:39the riders are now really quite spread out
0:07:39 > 0:07:41and the journey so far has been quite undulating,
0:07:41 > 0:07:43lots of lumpy, bumpy roads,
0:07:43 > 0:07:46but we're now at the start of the first really big climb
0:07:46 > 0:07:48up to the top of Glenshee.
0:07:48 > 0:07:49We're nearly at the top.
0:07:49 > 0:07:52I'm not too scared, coming from Switzerland.
0:07:52 > 0:07:55On the other hand, I must say that the way the roads look
0:07:55 > 0:08:00on the images and on the maps I've seen is a little intimidating.
0:08:00 > 0:08:03You know that in Switzerland, we usually go uphill in switchbacks.
0:08:03 > 0:08:05Seems like the Scottish do it differently,
0:08:05 > 0:08:07they just go straight over the hills,
0:08:07 > 0:08:09so I'm not sure how this is going to work out.
0:08:09 > 0:08:11SHE YELLS AND LAUGHS
0:08:13 > 0:08:15So this is a big moment for a lot of these riders
0:08:15 > 0:08:19and they have a good road and the wind's just dropped a little bit.
0:08:20 > 0:08:23As this is a sportive and not a massed start race,
0:08:23 > 0:08:26there's quite a lot of tactics about when to start.
0:08:26 > 0:08:28Do you want to get it over quickly
0:08:28 > 0:08:31or do you wait until the weather clears up?
0:08:32 > 0:08:36- Morning, gentlemen. - Morning. Gorgeous day for it(!)
0:08:36 > 0:08:37LAUGHTER
0:08:37 > 0:08:39Some happy faces on the climbs.
0:08:39 > 0:08:44Hopefully they'll be like that in another few hours in Aviemore.
0:08:44 > 0:08:45I'm just loving this hill.
0:08:45 > 0:08:46LAUGHTER
0:08:46 > 0:08:50- You have to get out of the saddle for the camera.- Oh, yeah...(!)
0:08:50 > 0:08:54We're about an hour and 40 minutes into the event
0:08:54 > 0:08:58and you're beginning to work out yourself
0:08:58 > 0:09:00whether you've got enough fuel in the tank to finish it
0:09:00 > 0:09:02and you can see it's cold.
0:09:03 > 0:09:05A cold breath there
0:09:05 > 0:09:07and as we're up coming up towards Glenshee,
0:09:07 > 0:09:09it must be about two or three degrees.
0:09:09 > 0:09:11Whose idea was this?
0:09:12 > 0:09:14Good. First big climb's almost over.
0:09:15 > 0:09:17I'm now at the feed station at Glenshee
0:09:17 > 0:09:19and some people are taking quite a long break here,
0:09:19 > 0:09:21having a lot to eat and drink,
0:09:21 > 0:09:24and others are just literally in and out in a few seconds.
0:09:24 > 0:09:25I've got a mouthful of pretzels,
0:09:25 > 0:09:28which are the best things you can ever have in a sportive,
0:09:28 > 0:09:29apart from cheese sandwiches.
0:09:29 > 0:09:32First sportive, so I'm definitely going to finish it
0:09:32 > 0:09:35but, yeah, yeah, I need to keep the hands moving.
0:09:35 > 0:09:37How are you going to warm up before you sit down?
0:09:37 > 0:09:39Well, I just do lots of arm movement, you know -
0:09:39 > 0:09:41I look like a giant flappy bird.
0:09:41 > 0:09:45I'm hoping that the broom wagon is still a distant nightmare.
0:09:45 > 0:09:47Hasn't caught up yet, so I'm happy.
0:09:47 > 0:09:50Not quite singing, but I'm getting there.
0:09:50 > 0:09:52So after the grind of the uphill,
0:09:52 > 0:09:55this is where the riders can really let go.
0:09:55 > 0:09:59Some of them will touch 60kmph or 60mph going down here,
0:09:59 > 0:10:03with only two small pieces of rubber between them and the road.
0:10:03 > 0:10:05It just makes you feel alive, really.
0:10:05 > 0:10:06It just...the hairs...
0:10:06 > 0:10:08You feel the speed
0:10:08 > 0:10:11and I think it's probably the one thing I always check
0:10:11 > 0:10:16on my Strava is, like, "Oh, how fast did I go when I went downhill?"
0:10:16 > 0:10:19Now the leading riders have made it over that herculean first climb
0:10:19 > 0:10:22whilst others are still struggling on the way up.
0:10:22 > 0:10:27Yesterday, Deziree "volunteered" to see what all the fuss was about.
0:10:27 > 0:10:28Let's see how she got on, shall we?
0:10:39 > 0:10:42Being a spectator is all well and good,
0:10:42 > 0:10:45but I usually find that I'm itching to actually just give things
0:10:45 > 0:10:47a bit of a go myself.
0:10:47 > 0:10:49I'm quite keen to see what's involved
0:10:49 > 0:10:52in tackling one of the bigger ascents on this route
0:10:52 > 0:10:54and I'm going to do it for real,
0:10:54 > 0:10:56so I'm going to get timed from the Spittal of Glenshee
0:10:56 > 0:10:59up to the summit and I'm going to see how long it takes me.
0:10:59 > 0:11:01So, give us a countdown, Mark.
0:11:01 > 0:11:04OK, are you ready? Three, two, one.
0:11:04 > 0:11:06- OK.- Go!- Here goes nothing. - And good luck.
0:11:08 > 0:11:11Just a few wee potholes around
0:11:11 > 0:11:15that I need to try and make sure that I'm avoiding
0:11:15 > 0:11:18with these skinny tyres.
0:11:18 > 0:11:22The bike does feel super-lovely to ride,
0:11:22 > 0:11:25it's just really light.
0:11:26 > 0:11:29I'm just struggling to try and remember how to work these gears.
0:11:32 > 0:11:35Now, I have to confess, I was quite nervous about this
0:11:35 > 0:11:38because I've only ridden a road bike once before,
0:11:38 > 0:11:39so before setting off,
0:11:39 > 0:11:41I thought I'd better get some handy hints and tips.
0:11:41 > 0:11:45- So, Kevin what do I need to know? - The main thing you'll notice
0:11:45 > 0:11:48is that the tyres are a lot skinnier and the terrain you're riding on
0:11:48 > 0:11:49is road, not off-road,
0:11:49 > 0:11:51so the gearing on the bikes are different
0:11:51 > 0:11:53cos you've obviously got a lot more traction
0:11:53 > 0:11:54than on a mountain bike.
0:11:54 > 0:11:57You'll find yourself standing up on a road bike quite a lot more
0:11:57 > 0:11:59and brake-wise, brakes on road bikes
0:11:59 > 0:12:01are a lot less powerful than mountain bikes,
0:12:01 > 0:12:03cos they're not discs, so when you pull that brake on,
0:12:03 > 0:12:05it's a bit different to mountain biking.
0:12:05 > 0:12:09The time that I did try a road bike, I just found it really uncomfortable
0:12:09 > 0:12:13and I don't know whether that's because of the saddle
0:12:13 > 0:12:14or the positioning of it,
0:12:14 > 0:12:17so am I going to feel that way again?
0:12:17 > 0:12:20Everyone, we size them up, we don't just plonk them on the bike.
0:12:20 > 0:12:22It's one of the biggest mistakes that people can make,
0:12:22 > 0:12:24so I know the frame size right for you.
0:12:24 > 0:12:26I'll adjust the seat height and then I've actually put
0:12:26 > 0:12:30the stem quite high for you because you're new to road biking.
0:12:30 > 0:12:33Let's keep it fair, let's not go too racy too quick,
0:12:33 > 0:12:36and I'm confident we can get you sorted on this in a way that is...
0:12:36 > 0:12:39You're going to be off to the best start of the day.
0:12:40 > 0:12:41'Well, that's me sorted.
0:12:41 > 0:12:44'Now I just have to get up this hill.'
0:12:44 > 0:12:47It'd be good to get a reasonably good time
0:12:47 > 0:12:49so that I don't feel completely useless.
0:12:51 > 0:12:54It's absolutely beautiful round here, I have to say,
0:12:54 > 0:12:58as long as you can remember to keep looking up from your bike
0:12:58 > 0:13:00and from the road.
0:13:00 > 0:13:02Oh...
0:13:02 > 0:13:04Oh, it's still ages away.
0:13:04 > 0:13:05Come on, Deziree.
0:13:07 > 0:13:09I'm cycling right into a headwind.
0:13:09 > 0:13:11It's amazingly deceptive
0:13:11 > 0:13:13how steep this hill actually is to ride up
0:13:13 > 0:13:16because it doesn't look it at all.
0:13:16 > 0:13:22Oh, starting to feel like quite hard work now.
0:13:25 > 0:13:26Oh...out the saddle.
0:13:26 > 0:13:28That feels better.
0:13:30 > 0:13:32I don't think I'm going to be winning any prizes
0:13:32 > 0:13:34for fastest time any time soon.
0:13:36 > 0:13:38Come on, summit, where are you?
0:13:39 > 0:13:42Looks like it's about to get really steep.
0:13:44 > 0:13:49I'm hoping that that's a call up there.
0:13:52 > 0:13:56Oh, great - a nice, stiff headwind. Excellent(!)
0:13:56 > 0:13:59At least it's cooling my face down a bit.
0:14:03 > 0:14:04Is this the top, yeah?
0:14:06 > 0:14:07Oh...
0:14:09 > 0:14:11Nae bother. Oh...
0:14:11 > 0:14:14- 33 minutes.- Oh, no, really?
0:14:14 > 0:14:17I said to myself if I could do it in under half an hour,
0:14:17 > 0:14:19I'd be really pleased.
0:14:19 > 0:14:2133 minutes, dammit.
0:14:21 > 0:14:23- I wanted to do it in less than half an hour.- I know.
0:14:23 > 0:14:25- Go and try again! - LAUGHTER
0:14:25 > 0:14:27From the challenge of the 3 Pistes,
0:14:27 > 0:14:31we're heading east to the Himalayas and Nepal.
0:14:31 > 0:14:34Earlier this year, we followed James Lamb from Fife
0:14:34 > 0:14:38who was campaigning for better conditions for Sherpas
0:14:38 > 0:14:40in the mountain village of Phortse.
0:14:40 > 0:14:43He'd formed a charity, the Little Sherpa Foundation,
0:14:43 > 0:14:45with a local monk, Tashi Lama,
0:14:45 > 0:14:48but at the very end of our visit,
0:14:48 > 0:14:52the first of two devastating earthquakes struck the country.
0:14:52 > 0:14:56Five months later, he discovers that none of the aid sent to Nepal
0:14:56 > 0:15:00has reached the people of the Everest National Park.
0:15:00 > 0:15:02Cameron McNeish takes up the story.
0:15:12 > 0:15:14When James Lamb was here in April,
0:15:14 > 0:15:17no-one could have known what was about to happen.
0:15:17 > 0:15:21The two earthquakes made major headlines around the world.
0:15:21 > 0:15:24Since then, Nepal's faded from the news,
0:15:24 > 0:15:28but for the people here, the problems still continue.
0:15:28 > 0:15:31James has now returned to the Himalayas.
0:15:31 > 0:15:33The day of the second earthquake
0:15:33 > 0:15:38I received numerous e-mails, messages, texts.
0:15:38 > 0:15:40Worst of all was phone calls from Tashi Lama.
0:15:42 > 0:15:45Everyone telling me how devastating it was.
0:15:48 > 0:15:52and I can remember Tashi's message to me was,
0:15:52 > 0:15:54"All of our people are running,
0:15:54 > 0:15:57"crying - all they do is run and cry."
0:15:58 > 0:16:00I remember not sleeping,
0:16:00 > 0:16:04I remember lots of e-mails and messages, all bad.
0:16:05 > 0:16:07It's an emotional return for James
0:16:07 > 0:16:10and a 30-minute flight from Kathmandu to Lukla
0:16:10 > 0:16:13reunites him with his two great friends,
0:16:13 > 0:16:15Tashi Lama and Pemba Rita.
0:16:15 > 0:16:18How are you? It's so good to see you.
0:16:18 > 0:16:22Those who experienced the horrendous earthquakes
0:16:22 > 0:16:23will never forget them.
0:16:23 > 0:16:25I was in Lukla.
0:16:26 > 0:16:28There was the biggest one
0:16:28 > 0:16:34and all the phone line is cut.
0:16:34 > 0:16:38We're very shocked, we're very worried,
0:16:38 > 0:16:43very afraid because my family, my wife's in the village,
0:16:43 > 0:16:46all my kids in Kathmandu, so we don't know what's happened.
0:16:46 > 0:16:49And all night, we couldn't sleep,
0:16:49 > 0:16:52and the next day, there's another big one coming,
0:16:52 > 0:16:55around one o'clock, so all the...
0:16:55 > 0:16:57there's rock falling everywhere.
0:16:59 > 0:17:02It's two-day trek from Lukla to Namche Bazaar,
0:17:02 > 0:17:04the gateway to the high mountains.
0:17:04 > 0:17:06And every step of the way,
0:17:06 > 0:17:09the devastation caused by the earthquakes is obvious.
0:17:11 > 0:17:17I suppose I had anticipated to see some houses...slightly damaged.
0:17:17 > 0:17:20I think that's what I was expecting,
0:17:20 > 0:17:23and yet the very first house that we came to was demolished.
0:17:23 > 0:17:26It just slipped down into the valley.
0:17:27 > 0:17:31In this area, of course, insurance is just an alien concept,
0:17:31 > 0:17:33they simply can't afford it,
0:17:33 > 0:17:38so they just have to dust themselves down and rebuild,
0:17:38 > 0:17:42which is amazing mental resilience that they have.
0:17:43 > 0:17:46Using basic hand tools, these houses in the Khumbu
0:17:46 > 0:17:50are being rebuilt literally stone by stone,
0:17:50 > 0:17:54but this isn't the only problem facing the people here.
0:17:54 > 0:17:57The economy is heavily dependent on tourism
0:17:57 > 0:18:01and the usual crowds of trekkers are nowhere to be seen.
0:18:01 > 0:18:05If there hadn't been an earthquake, this would've been
0:18:05 > 0:18:08just masses of people, masses of porters
0:18:08 > 0:18:11but the numbers are quite devastating,
0:18:11 > 0:18:14of how few people that there are.
0:18:14 > 0:18:17It's like a completely different area for me.
0:18:17 > 0:18:21So the financial implications are vast for the people in this area.
0:18:23 > 0:18:28I don't know because the media tell about the disaster in Khumbu,
0:18:28 > 0:18:34in Nepal, so we don't have much groups coming in
0:18:34 > 0:18:37so we're sad, because we have no business.
0:18:39 > 0:18:41It's a big problem now.
0:18:45 > 0:18:46When we were here in April,
0:18:46 > 0:18:50you had to dodge people, you had to dodge animals.
0:18:50 > 0:18:52I mean, it's fun, it's part of being in Namche
0:18:52 > 0:18:56and when we went there today, it was just me.
0:18:56 > 0:19:00There was nobody else to avoid and when we came to a shop
0:19:00 > 0:19:03that I was thinking about buying goods at in April,
0:19:03 > 0:19:04it had all shut down.
0:19:04 > 0:19:05It had just gone, just the sign.
0:19:05 > 0:19:11One sign saying, "Sale, 50% off," the other sign saying, "Shut".
0:19:11 > 0:19:14It's not quite a ghost town, but it kind of is.
0:19:14 > 0:19:18Namche Bazaar, it's the richest village in...
0:19:18 > 0:19:20I mean, it's the centre,
0:19:20 > 0:19:22it's the capital of the whole of the Khumbu
0:19:22 > 0:19:25so if they're feeling it as drastic as it is...
0:19:27 > 0:19:29..I'm a bit anxious about what I'm going to see
0:19:29 > 0:19:32when I go further up into Phortse itself.
0:19:34 > 0:19:37The trek from Namche Bazaar to Phortse
0:19:37 > 0:19:40is as fine as any in the Himalayas
0:19:40 > 0:19:42and when he arrives in the village,
0:19:42 > 0:19:45the local people are delighted to see him again.
0:19:45 > 0:19:48There's a simple reason for this -
0:19:48 > 0:19:51Phortse is a village that's been forgotten.
0:19:51 > 0:19:55There have been no film crews here, no reporters, no photographers
0:19:55 > 0:19:58and crucially, no outside aid has got here.
0:19:59 > 0:20:01Predictably, there's been widespread damage,
0:20:01 > 0:20:05but less predictable has been the fortitude and resilience
0:20:05 > 0:20:07of the Sherpa people.
0:20:07 > 0:20:09And that's nowhere more evident
0:20:09 > 0:20:12than with Tashi's 88-year-old grandmother.
0:20:12 > 0:20:16She tells him how she's survived since the earthquakes.
0:20:16 > 0:20:18SHE SPEAKS IN OWN LANGUAGE
0:20:18 > 0:20:20You slept down there?
0:20:24 > 0:20:26Did you just have this over?
0:20:26 > 0:20:30She said three months, she's spent under this tent,
0:20:30 > 0:20:33this is the yak wool blanket.
0:20:35 > 0:20:39She made this little shelter for herself,
0:20:39 > 0:20:41she makes a little shelter there.
0:20:41 > 0:20:44- So she was outside completely for three months?- Three months.
0:20:44 > 0:20:48- Shows the resilience of the Sherpa people, doesn't she?- Yeah.
0:20:48 > 0:20:51What I'd like to do is to give to your gran a jumper,
0:20:51 > 0:20:53so she's just about to try on
0:20:53 > 0:20:57my wife's traditional Scottish jumper.
0:20:58 > 0:21:01Ooh - like a tiny baby.
0:21:01 > 0:21:02LAUGHTER
0:21:02 > 0:21:03SHE SPEAKS IN OWN LANGUAGE
0:21:03 > 0:21:05Oh, it's going to be warm.
0:21:05 > 0:21:07She said keep really warm.
0:21:08 > 0:21:10She's looking forward to winter.
0:21:10 > 0:21:11LAUGHTER
0:21:15 > 0:21:17Is she just keeping it on? Oh wonderful, wonderful.
0:21:19 > 0:21:22Later in the programme, we'll be back in Phortse
0:21:22 > 0:21:24to see how the generosity and support
0:21:24 > 0:21:27of folk throughout Scotland and the rest of the UK
0:21:27 > 0:21:32will help local people survive the harsh Himalayan winter.
0:21:32 > 0:21:35Hopefully it's all going to be worthwhile
0:21:35 > 0:21:38and the next week, hopefully, will be one of the best weeks
0:21:38 > 0:21:39of my whole entire life.
0:21:51 > 0:21:53Walk in the park.
0:21:53 > 0:21:55Welcome back to the 3 Pistes Sportive.
0:21:55 > 0:21:58Now, the riders are getting well and truly stuck into this event
0:21:58 > 0:22:00and Duncan McCallum's out on the course
0:22:00 > 0:22:02right in the heart of the action.
0:22:02 > 0:22:03Morning.
0:22:03 > 0:22:07One of the secrets about riding such a very, very long race
0:22:07 > 0:22:12is keeping yourself fuelled, get the energy levels level
0:22:12 > 0:22:14for as much of the day as you can,
0:22:14 > 0:22:17so you might be eating every 30 or 40 minutes,
0:22:17 > 0:22:19taking gels, small bars.
0:22:20 > 0:22:22It's always hard to eat when you're on the move,
0:22:22 > 0:22:29but you have to do that over this 102 miles, nearly 2,000m.
0:22:31 > 0:22:34I've decided this time I'm just going to stop at every opportunity,
0:22:34 > 0:22:35at every feed station there is
0:22:35 > 0:22:39and just take time and not push myself too hard
0:22:39 > 0:22:42and just take it easy, stop every time I can
0:22:42 > 0:22:43for at least 10 to 15 minutes.
0:22:45 > 0:22:47When I first started cycling, I just had the water,
0:22:47 > 0:22:49but my dad's a big cyclist.
0:22:49 > 0:22:51He was, you know, "Nutrition, nutrition, nutrition."
0:22:51 > 0:22:55And I just... Every half an hour, I eat something -
0:22:55 > 0:22:57gels, bananas, bars, chocolate, whatever -
0:22:57 > 0:22:59and it really, really helps.
0:22:59 > 0:23:04You know, it's all down to fuelling, for sure, definitely.
0:23:04 > 0:23:07And Siobhan Prise from Aberdeen is having a great day.
0:23:07 > 0:23:12Everyone knows this is not a race, but each rider's time is monitored
0:23:12 > 0:23:15and a results list at the end reflects who is fastest.
0:23:15 > 0:23:20Right now, Siobhan is the quickest woman on the course.
0:23:20 > 0:23:23There's a group of us, Sunday Kintore Cycles.
0:23:23 > 0:23:25You know, cycling with a bunch of guys
0:23:25 > 0:23:28really, really helps with strength and pulling you along
0:23:28 > 0:23:31so my strength is getting a bit better,
0:23:31 > 0:23:34but it never gets any easier, it's so tough.
0:23:34 > 0:23:37Currently in second place is Shana Young.
0:23:37 > 0:23:39Originally from Michigan in the States,
0:23:39 > 0:23:43Shana's lived in Scotland for the last 14 years
0:23:43 > 0:23:46and says the cycling here is fantastic.
0:23:46 > 0:23:48In America, especially where I'm from,
0:23:48 > 0:23:50everything's flat and it's a grid,
0:23:50 > 0:23:53you know - you go left, right, straight, nice road.
0:23:53 > 0:23:57Here, every hill is kind of an unexpected turn
0:23:57 > 0:23:59and gorgeous scenery.
0:23:59 > 0:24:01You start exploring all these roads,
0:24:01 > 0:24:03these different passageways to different places
0:24:03 > 0:24:06and you keep thinking, "Well, which way does this one take me?
0:24:06 > 0:24:08"Which way does that one go?"
0:24:08 > 0:24:09And all of you sudden,
0:24:09 > 0:24:11your 20-mile cycle turns into 40,
0:24:11 > 0:24:13turns into 60, turns into 80,
0:24:13 > 0:24:15turns into 100 and you end up signing up
0:24:15 > 0:24:17for challenges like the 3 Pistes.
0:24:19 > 0:24:22The 3 Pistes is not only the highest sportive in Britain -
0:24:22 > 0:24:25it must be the most spectacular.
0:24:25 > 0:24:27You just get lost in the scenery,
0:24:27 > 0:24:29you just get lost in what you're doing.
0:24:29 > 0:24:31Quite often, you can forget 20 miles,
0:24:31 > 0:24:34often you've reached a point, you wonder what you've been doing
0:24:34 > 0:24:36for the last 20 miles when it's like that.
0:24:38 > 0:24:40I mean, I've done one into Edinburgh
0:24:40 > 0:24:42and the scenery down south doesn't...
0:24:42 > 0:24:45Nowhere comes close to up here. It's spectacular,
0:24:45 > 0:24:47it's absolutely spectacular, especially this one.
0:24:47 > 0:24:49It focuses you, to a certain extent.
0:24:49 > 0:24:52Takes your mind off the... certainly off the pain.
0:24:52 > 0:24:53That makes it worthwhile.
0:24:53 > 0:24:56The hardest climb now lies ahead -
0:24:56 > 0:25:00the notorious, unremitting grind up The Lecht.
0:25:00 > 0:25:02Well done, guys, how's it going?
0:25:02 > 0:25:05Some riders will be tempted to fuel up before then
0:25:05 > 0:25:09and fortunately, there's a convenient cafe and feed station at Corgarff.
0:25:09 > 0:25:11There was a sort of nasty sign further back
0:25:11 > 0:25:14- saying, "You're not even halfway yet," so...- Oh, that's cruel!
0:25:14 > 0:25:17But I think maybe as you passed that sign, that was you at halfway
0:25:17 > 0:25:19so it's maybe a bit...someone's sense of humour,
0:25:19 > 0:25:20but no, it's all good fun.
0:25:20 > 0:25:24It's going really well, it's nice that the rain's stopped, obviously,
0:25:24 > 0:25:25and I've had one puncture,
0:25:25 > 0:25:30but Alistair here, my new friend, from...we just met cycling away,
0:25:30 > 0:25:33very kindly stopped to help as well, so that was nice.
0:25:33 > 0:25:34I'm tired.
0:25:34 > 0:25:38It's a lot of hills, but I've got somebody to keep me company,
0:25:38 > 0:25:39so yeah, it's nice.
0:25:39 > 0:25:40Have you done much training for this?
0:25:40 > 0:25:42Eh, clearly not enough!
0:25:42 > 0:25:43LAUGHTER
0:25:43 > 0:25:45- Do you guys know this circuit anyway?- No, no, no.
0:25:45 > 0:25:48I've done part of it but not... I've never been up The Lecht.
0:25:48 > 0:25:50For good reason!
0:25:50 > 0:25:51It's going to be an experience.
0:25:54 > 0:25:59So we are 105km into the sportive
0:25:59 > 0:26:04and this is the second big climb, by far the steepest of the route.
0:26:05 > 0:26:09Alan Dobbie, number 613, has pushed out in front.
0:26:09 > 0:26:14It's a fine effort and much, much, much more difficult to cycle
0:26:14 > 0:26:16this sort of thing on your own.
0:26:16 > 0:26:21You get a 15-20% drafting effect
0:26:21 > 0:26:24if you're cycling with a group of people,
0:26:24 > 0:26:27but if you're on your own, it's harder.
0:26:27 > 0:26:30Alan was in the first group to set off this morning
0:26:30 > 0:26:32and joined by our cycling cameraman,
0:26:32 > 0:26:35he's reached The Lecht summit in great time.
0:26:35 > 0:26:39In fact, he's arrived before the feed station is properly open.
0:26:39 > 0:26:43I was after some more High5 or something to put in my water.
0:26:43 > 0:26:44I need some.
0:26:44 > 0:26:46Are you worried about cramp?
0:26:46 > 0:26:50Yeah, I had really debilitating cramp last time.
0:26:50 > 0:26:54Uh..and I couldn't do anything about it -
0:26:54 > 0:26:57outside, front, sides of thighs, calves.
0:26:57 > 0:27:00It was much hotter last year. Anyway, cheers.
0:27:01 > 0:27:04As Alan Dobbie from Edinburgh heads down the other side
0:27:04 > 0:27:06and onwards towards Cairngorm,
0:27:06 > 0:27:10others are still pushing up this seemingly endless hill.
0:27:10 > 0:27:12Once you crest that first hill after the switchback
0:27:12 > 0:27:14and then you've got a small downhill
0:27:14 > 0:27:16and you can just see the hill in front of you,
0:27:16 > 0:27:19that's always quite punishing.
0:27:19 > 0:27:22It's pretty full-on in the best weather
0:27:22 > 0:27:23but just trying to get through
0:27:23 > 0:27:26before the wind picks up from the west
0:27:26 > 0:27:32and that'll be pretty grim in the last bit of the day.
0:27:32 > 0:27:36I enjoy going up the hills - once you've got an end in sight and you can just kind of plug away,
0:27:36 > 0:27:38and get to the top, there's a bit of achievement.
0:27:38 > 0:27:40Sometimes the flats are the harder bits for me
0:27:40 > 0:27:43cos you're just, you know, there's nothing so much to aim for.
0:27:43 > 0:27:47I suppose I quite enjoy the climbing.
0:27:47 > 0:27:50You cannot sit on the seat - you need to stand on the pedals
0:27:50 > 0:27:52and when you do that, you've got the feeling
0:27:52 > 0:27:55that you can touch the road with your hand,
0:27:55 > 0:27:58just when you put it forward, it's so steep.
0:27:58 > 0:28:02You need to just squeeze your teeth and that's it,
0:28:02 > 0:28:04but the best solution is to squeeze your teeth
0:28:04 > 0:28:09and just think of things you like and forget that it's so steep.
0:28:09 > 0:28:10Several people have told me
0:28:10 > 0:28:14that my cassette at the back is just not suited for...
0:28:14 > 0:28:17Don't get me wrong, I don't think I'd get up it anyway,
0:28:17 > 0:28:18but I just don't know.
0:28:18 > 0:28:21I pass guys on hills who are spinning.
0:28:21 > 0:28:25You can see now the difference of gear choice here.
0:28:25 > 0:28:27Some people running compact cassettes.
0:28:27 > 0:28:32That means that the gearing on your front ring is much, much smaller.
0:28:32 > 0:28:37It means your feet and legs rotate far quicker.
0:28:37 > 0:28:39It's far more efficient on the climbs
0:28:39 > 0:28:42but it's a lot less efficient on the flats,
0:28:42 > 0:28:47so, yeah, you want a small ring on this and a compact cassette.
0:28:49 > 0:28:53It makes all the difference to good, efficient climbing.
0:28:53 > 0:28:57The gearing has moved on massively, even in the last probably ten years.
0:28:57 > 0:29:00I feel I've cheated in a way.
0:29:00 > 0:29:02It used to be it was the hard man thing,
0:29:02 > 0:29:07you'd use a 23, 24 in the back, but luckily those days are gone.
0:29:07 > 0:29:11The pros started using them - I probably shouldn't say...
0:29:11 > 0:29:12I had 32 teeth in the back
0:29:12 > 0:29:14and it just makes a huge difference, you know?
0:29:14 > 0:29:18You're sitting in a saddle and just out for short bursts.
0:29:18 > 0:29:21It's out the saddle that destroys you.
0:29:21 > 0:29:23This event's staggered start
0:29:23 > 0:29:28means the fastest riders are not necessarily the first up this hill.
0:29:28 > 0:29:31Lindsay McCrae from Inverness was one of the late starters,
0:29:31 > 0:29:33but he's been eating up the miles
0:29:33 > 0:29:37and currently, we estimate he's the quickest man on the course.
0:29:37 > 0:29:39The field is reasonably competitive
0:29:39 > 0:29:44cos it's one of the bigger sportives.
0:29:44 > 0:29:46You could be starting half an hour before
0:29:46 > 0:29:48or half an hour after the other people
0:29:48 > 0:29:50who are going to be fast also,
0:29:50 > 0:29:52so you have no idea on the road
0:29:52 > 0:29:55where you are in terms of the overall field.
0:29:55 > 0:29:59So you're constantly catching people and passing people
0:29:59 > 0:30:03but not knowing if they set off half an hour, or an hour, before you
0:30:03 > 0:30:04or two minutes before you.
0:30:04 > 0:30:07So psychologically, it's quite difficult in some ways.
0:30:07 > 0:30:11In other ways, if you start off possibly in the latter half,
0:30:11 > 0:30:14you've always got people ahead of you so you can chase them down
0:30:14 > 0:30:19and it's almost motivation to get the next one and then keep going.
0:30:19 > 0:30:21See who the next one is.
0:30:21 > 0:30:25Ultimately, you may have started at different times
0:30:25 > 0:30:28but you will try to beat them across the line if you can.
0:30:28 > 0:30:30It might be totally pointless
0:30:30 > 0:30:32because you're half an hour difference in start times
0:30:32 > 0:30:35but there's that psychological element also.
0:30:35 > 0:30:38Another late starter is Donatos Markevicius.
0:30:38 > 0:30:40Originally from Lithuania,
0:30:40 > 0:30:43he's lived in Pitlochry for the last five years.
0:30:43 > 0:30:46He's also having a tremendous 3 Pistes.
0:30:46 > 0:30:50I never knew there was an event like this in Pitlochry.
0:30:50 > 0:30:55Once I seen the climbing I really wanted to do that,
0:30:55 > 0:30:58something challenging I never did before.
0:30:58 > 0:31:04Then I saw on the website, I was actually really kind of scared
0:31:04 > 0:31:08to get the climbs like this but there was a few guys from my club
0:31:08 > 0:31:12that were actually stronger than me so it just pushed me to the top.
0:31:12 > 0:31:15Meanwhile, Siobhan Prise, who set off at 7am,
0:31:15 > 0:31:18is almost at the top of the climb up The Lecht
0:31:18 > 0:31:21and she's still in the lead for the women.
0:31:21 > 0:31:23I did this race last year and it killed me,
0:31:23 > 0:31:25but it's just beautiful, it's so nice,
0:31:25 > 0:31:27it's just such a beautiful route, isn't it?
0:31:27 > 0:31:30And The Lecht is a pretty steep climb, how was that?
0:31:30 > 0:31:32Yeah, 20%! 20%!
0:31:32 > 0:31:34You have kind of a fast bit down
0:31:34 > 0:31:37and then you just have to make sure you get into the right gear
0:31:37 > 0:31:40and you're not beside anyone to get up that 20%.
0:31:40 > 0:31:41I mean, I found it...
0:31:41 > 0:31:43I've been working a lot on my hills recently
0:31:43 > 0:31:45but it never gets any easier.
0:31:47 > 0:31:51So a little breather before the summit call here.
0:31:51 > 0:31:55Just let your legs spin out a bit, get rid of the lactic for a while.
0:31:58 > 0:31:59So she's nicely tucked in,
0:31:59 > 0:32:03just wanting to spin some of the cramp out of the legs.
0:32:05 > 0:32:07A tiny little push up to the summit.
0:32:07 > 0:32:10So that was a nice little recovery after that very steep climb,
0:32:10 > 0:32:15obviously gaining...efficiency
0:32:15 > 0:32:18back into her legs very quickly after that tough climb.
0:32:19 > 0:32:21The reward is now in sight -
0:32:21 > 0:32:25a long, swooping, steep and fast descent down the other side.
0:32:25 > 0:32:28For most, it's a welcome relief.
0:32:28 > 0:32:31I love hills, especially going down hills,
0:32:31 > 0:32:33it's just the best ever
0:32:33 > 0:32:36and you always forget about whatever it is that's bothering you.
0:32:38 > 0:32:41I used to be fit in the past, before I had this one,
0:32:41 > 0:32:43and I would have been thinking about, you know,
0:32:43 > 0:32:44what time I could do
0:32:44 > 0:32:46and which boys I could beat
0:32:46 > 0:32:49but now, literally, this is the first thing I'll ever have done
0:32:49 > 0:32:51where I really, really don't know if I can finish it.
0:32:51 > 0:32:56But that's actually quite exciting, just to know if I can complete.
0:32:56 > 0:32:59I'm not the world's fastest climber. I'm pretty good on the descent
0:32:59 > 0:33:02but I'm going to try not to kill myself in your nice country.
0:33:02 > 0:33:04Everybody has their own tolerance and that's what's interesting
0:33:04 > 0:33:06is that I always feel that I'm safe
0:33:06 > 0:33:08but I'm sometimes faster than other people.
0:33:08 > 0:33:10And there's people who I think are crazy
0:33:10 > 0:33:12and they probably think they're safe,
0:33:12 > 0:33:15so...it's very personal.
0:33:15 > 0:33:18It's very personal but...you know, I'm not 21 any more
0:33:18 > 0:33:22and I have kids and I want to make sure that I go home from Scotland,
0:33:22 > 0:33:26so I think...I'm not going to push it too much.
0:33:26 > 0:33:28The cyclists are well into their ride,
0:33:28 > 0:33:32with much of the ascent behind them, but there's just that small matter
0:33:32 > 0:33:35of the final climb up into Cairngorm.
0:33:35 > 0:33:38It really has a fearsome reputation,
0:33:38 > 0:33:41but just how tough will it be with over 90 miles on their legs?
0:33:41 > 0:33:44We'll find out later in the programme.
0:33:54 > 0:33:57Right now, we're returning to the Nepalese village of Phortse,
0:33:57 > 0:34:00high up in the Everest National Park.
0:34:00 > 0:34:03Cameron McNeish follows Fife man James Lamb
0:34:03 > 0:34:05as he comes to terms with the damage
0:34:05 > 0:34:09caused by two earthquakes earlier this year.
0:34:09 > 0:34:11I think, five months on,
0:34:11 > 0:34:16I thought Phortse would be in an awful lot better state than it is.
0:34:16 > 0:34:18I mean, Tashi told me that some places were destroyed
0:34:18 > 0:34:21so I was ready for that,
0:34:21 > 0:34:23but half the buildings...
0:34:24 > 0:34:25It's a huge number of people.
0:34:27 > 0:34:29It is distressing, it's quite disturbing.
0:34:31 > 0:34:34Since the earthquakes, the community of Phortse
0:34:34 > 0:34:36has received no outside help,
0:34:36 > 0:34:40yet James discovers that in the face of enormous adversity,
0:34:40 > 0:34:43the villagers won't be beaten.
0:34:43 > 0:34:45Eight people in the family
0:34:45 > 0:34:49that would normally be living in the house that we're looking at.
0:34:49 > 0:34:52It's obviously been almost completely destroyed
0:34:52 > 0:34:54in the earthquake.
0:34:54 > 0:34:58There's three tents that are accommodating them
0:34:58 > 0:35:01and have done for the last five months.
0:35:01 > 0:35:05There's an elderly guy who's living in a tent on his own.
0:35:05 > 0:35:08He can barely, barely walk
0:35:08 > 0:35:11and the fact that we're in October already...
0:35:11 > 0:35:14Winter's not that far away.
0:35:14 > 0:35:17When James last came here, he met Ang Shering.
0:35:17 > 0:35:22Once he was a high-altitude porter, but after an accident,
0:35:22 > 0:35:26now uses his yaks to move goods up and down the valley.
0:35:26 > 0:35:28On his earlier visit,
0:35:28 > 0:35:31James spoke to him about the dangers of high-altitude work.
0:35:31 > 0:35:35They met in the upstairs room of his traditional Sherpa home.
0:35:35 > 0:35:38HE SPEAKS IN OWN LANGUAGE
0:35:38 > 0:35:40- TRANSLATOR:- He thinks it's very dangerous,
0:35:40 > 0:35:43but the main income source is climbing Everest.
0:35:43 > 0:35:48That's why people keep going back. He does not want to go back again.
0:35:48 > 0:35:52Now Ang Shering's house is largely destroyed.
0:35:52 > 0:35:54The ground floor is all that's left.
0:35:54 > 0:35:59For the last five months, he's slept in an old tent outside.
0:35:59 > 0:36:02What's left of the house is in a dangerous condition -
0:36:02 > 0:36:07even the makeshift kitchen has had to be dug out of the rubble.
0:36:07 > 0:36:09HE SPEAKS IN OWN LANGUAGE
0:36:09 > 0:36:13- TRANSLATOR:- It was totally blocked downstairs
0:36:13 > 0:36:17before he can manage this place
0:36:17 > 0:36:19and he cleared all the rocks
0:36:19 > 0:36:23and took all the wood and dirt
0:36:23 > 0:36:28and he can manage to set up this little kitchen for himself.
0:36:30 > 0:36:34If your house was completely destroyed, you received 50,
0:36:34 > 0:36:38and if it was partially damaged, you received 30.
0:36:38 > 0:36:41When we were chatting, he told me that he'd had builders in
0:36:41 > 0:36:46and the estimate is 5,000 to fix the outside of the house
0:36:46 > 0:36:49and 4,000 to fix the inside.
0:36:49 > 0:36:52I did ask him, "So what are your plans for winter?"
0:36:52 > 0:36:54And he just shook his head and he said,
0:36:54 > 0:36:57"I'll be living in the tent, I don't have any option."
0:36:59 > 0:37:01Earlier this year, James formed a charity,
0:37:01 > 0:37:06the Little Sherpa Foundation, with a local monk, Tashi Lama.
0:37:06 > 0:37:10Its original aim was to support families of high-altitude Sherpas
0:37:10 > 0:37:12who had been killed in the mountains.
0:37:12 > 0:37:17Now, it's expanded to assist those villagers caught up in the disaster.
0:37:18 > 0:37:23On this trip, James has brought money, clothing, tents and equipment
0:37:23 > 0:37:26to help as many people as possible.
0:37:26 > 0:37:28After the earthquake,
0:37:28 > 0:37:29our house was in a critical state.
0:37:29 > 0:37:32If we stayed there, it will be like our life in danger,
0:37:32 > 0:37:36so my father and my brother helped
0:37:36 > 0:37:40to build this small temporary house here and we are living here.
0:37:40 > 0:37:42We feel more safe.
0:37:42 > 0:37:46We make a fire here and cook here.
0:37:46 > 0:37:48So this is a drum of water
0:37:48 > 0:37:54and we have put in all the necessary things for cooking here.
0:37:54 > 0:38:02And me and my parents sleep here - these are three beds for we three.
0:38:02 > 0:38:04Sonam is a teacher in the village school
0:38:04 > 0:38:07and she's witnessed the profound effect
0:38:07 > 0:38:12the earthquakes have had on everyone in Phortse, especially the children.
0:38:12 > 0:38:16Everyone was frightened and they were shouting.
0:38:16 > 0:38:19The houses were, like, collapsing.
0:38:19 > 0:38:22We just thought we won't live any more.
0:38:22 > 0:38:26All the children, they want to run out of the classroom
0:38:26 > 0:38:32and I stopped them and tried to convince them.
0:38:32 > 0:38:36Later on, we slowly walked out of the school
0:38:36 > 0:38:42and we stayed for an hour on the ground.
0:38:42 > 0:38:43James is a former teacher
0:38:43 > 0:38:45and he's also been working with schoolchildren
0:38:45 > 0:38:48in Freuchie and Falkland.
0:38:48 > 0:38:50What's happened to their counterparts in Phortse
0:38:50 > 0:38:53has struck a chord with them.
0:38:53 > 0:38:55You're just carrying on with your normal life and in Nepal,
0:38:55 > 0:38:59you're getting texts from somebody that's experiencing an earthquake.
0:38:59 > 0:39:04It was really sad to see that they didn't have a home any more
0:39:04 > 0:39:07because they'd all been destroyed in the earthquake.
0:39:07 > 0:39:12We thought it would be nice, not only nice, but better for them
0:39:12 > 0:39:16if we gave them money so that they could rebuild their homes.
0:39:16 > 0:39:22We did a pyjama day and we had to bring a donation.
0:39:22 > 0:39:25- So everybody wore their pyjamas. Teachers?- Yes.
0:39:25 > 0:39:32Came in with messy hair and we brought in a teddy bear
0:39:32 > 0:39:35and our class sold cakes for the school.
0:39:35 > 0:39:38The best bit was probably feeling like you are raising money
0:39:38 > 0:39:41for the people out in Nepal.
0:39:41 > 0:39:42They need this money
0:39:42 > 0:39:46because their houses have been destroyed and everything.
0:39:46 > 0:39:51These Fife pupils have not only been raising funds for Phortse,
0:39:51 > 0:39:53but also making gifts for the children there.
0:39:53 > 0:39:56They wanted to send everybody at the school a present.
0:39:56 > 0:40:02There's a friendship bracelet for every single person in here
0:40:02 > 0:40:04as well as all the teachers.
0:40:04 > 0:40:07Colours of Nepal, colours of Scotland.
0:40:09 > 0:40:12Some children still dream of the earthquake.
0:40:12 > 0:40:16They are mentally, like, frightened, you know?
0:40:16 > 0:40:21Frightened, and even when strong winds blow,
0:40:21 > 0:40:24they want to run out of the classroom.
0:40:24 > 0:40:27- Has everybody got theirs on? - CHILDREN: Yes.
0:40:27 > 0:40:30- Excellent, good job. - CHILDREN: Thank you.
0:40:30 > 0:40:32CLAPPING
0:40:34 > 0:40:38This last year has been a huge learning curve for James Lamb -
0:40:38 > 0:40:42a seemingly endless round of talks, fundraising
0:40:42 > 0:40:45and collecting much-needed tents, sleeping bags and clothing
0:40:45 > 0:40:46to bring out to Nepal.
0:40:48 > 0:40:50But this trip has had its own frustrations.
0:40:50 > 0:40:54The equipment should have arrived almost two weeks ago,
0:40:54 > 0:40:59but got held up by the inevitable bureaucratic delays.
0:40:59 > 0:41:01With just one day left of his visit,
0:41:01 > 0:41:04the consignment finally makes it to the Khumbu
0:41:04 > 0:41:07with Ang Shering in charge of the yak train.
0:41:07 > 0:41:13- Ang Shering, a hero. How are you? - I'm fine, thanks.
0:41:13 > 0:41:15- How was your trip?- Good, thanks. - Aid boxes?
0:41:20 > 0:41:23Next morning, the goods are handed over to the villagers.
0:41:23 > 0:41:26It's an emotional event for everyone.
0:41:26 > 0:41:27- OK, enjoy.- Thank you.
0:41:27 > 0:41:29Oh, no, you're welcome, you're welcome.
0:41:29 > 0:41:32Those most in need are given money to help them survive
0:41:32 > 0:41:35the harsh Himalayan winter.
0:41:35 > 0:41:38In total, over half the people of Phortse have been helped.
0:41:38 > 0:41:39CLAPPING
0:41:39 > 0:41:42And no-one is more grateful than Ang Shering.
0:41:42 > 0:41:45So I've put up little tents and put up big tents
0:41:45 > 0:41:47but I've never put up a tent
0:41:47 > 0:41:51with somebody who's climbed Everest three times.
0:41:51 > 0:41:53LAUGHTER
0:41:55 > 0:41:58- Ang Shering, where do you want the door?- This side.
0:41:58 > 0:41:59Door on that side - right, OK.
0:41:59 > 0:42:03HE SPEAKS IN OWN LANGUAGE
0:42:03 > 0:42:07- TRANSLATOR:- Compared to the other tent where he's sleeping now,
0:42:07 > 0:42:12he thinks this tent is much warmer and will keep him warm
0:42:12 > 0:42:14so he said it's a big difference.
0:42:14 > 0:42:15It feels like home.
0:42:16 > 0:42:18A final present for you, Ang Shering.
0:42:18 > 0:42:20A sleeping bag. I hope it keeps you warm.
0:42:20 > 0:42:24- OK, thank you.- I think you'll need it in this winter.
0:42:24 > 0:42:28James is also very keen to provide longer-term help to the village.
0:42:28 > 0:42:33Key to that plan is the building of a tea house and meditation centre
0:42:33 > 0:42:35on land that Tashi Lama owns.
0:42:35 > 0:42:39And already, they've had some powerful support.
0:42:39 > 0:42:42Award-winning Scottish architect Murray Kerr
0:42:42 > 0:42:44has agreed to design a building
0:42:44 > 0:42:47that will set new standards in the Himalayas
0:42:47 > 0:42:49and will be earthquake-resistant.
0:42:49 > 0:42:52This whole concept of this building,
0:42:52 > 0:42:54I think, is going to be the way to go, not just for tea houses,
0:42:54 > 0:42:58but just whole buildings up in this area.
0:42:58 > 0:43:01I think this is... Our builders can...
0:43:01 > 0:43:03All the bedrooms and...
0:43:05 > 0:43:07I think, we hope, we can build this.
0:43:07 > 0:43:10Absolutely amazing
0:43:10 > 0:43:15because we've never seen this kind of building before.
0:43:15 > 0:43:19We're all in agreement that these plans are fantastic.
0:43:19 > 0:43:20We want them to happen.
0:43:20 > 0:43:24All we need now is a small matter of the money.
0:43:24 > 0:43:27During the last year, James has met hundreds of people
0:43:27 > 0:43:30who are keen to support the work of the charity.
0:43:30 > 0:43:35No-one is more enthusiastic than Pashupati Bhandari.
0:43:35 > 0:43:38He's one of the UK's leading Nepalese businessman
0:43:38 > 0:43:42and by good luck, he's visiting his family in Kathmandu.
0:43:42 > 0:43:45Tashi Lama and James meet him and ask if he can help.
0:43:45 > 0:43:48I had a look at it, you know, the business plan and everything.
0:43:48 > 0:43:51We need to work out proper costings out.
0:43:51 > 0:43:53I've been talking to Tashi
0:43:53 > 0:43:56about this total cost and everything.
0:43:56 > 0:43:58The cost we still have to get...
0:43:58 > 0:44:04- I mean, we are very much happy to invest up to 60% for now.- Wow.
0:44:04 > 0:44:11I'm very happy to build a tea house.
0:44:11 > 0:44:12Especially this one.
0:44:12 > 0:44:15Yeah, especially this one, because
0:44:15 > 0:44:20I'm thinking about the tourism.
0:44:20 > 0:44:22Khumbu one of the best
0:44:22 > 0:44:24tourism area in Nepal.
0:44:24 > 0:44:27I'm very much excited, I mean, definitely -
0:44:27 > 0:44:32surely if we work together, we can make this happen quite soon.
0:44:32 > 0:44:34- High-five.- Whoo!
0:44:34 > 0:44:36LAUGHTER
0:44:38 > 0:44:41It's a fitting ending to James' return trip to Nepal.
0:44:42 > 0:44:44And to find out more about this project
0:44:44 > 0:44:47and all the other Adventure Show news,
0:44:47 > 0:44:48follow us on Facebook.
0:44:57 > 0:45:00Welcome back to the action at the 3 Pistes Sportive.
0:45:00 > 0:45:02Now, those riders at the front are now preparing
0:45:02 > 0:45:06for that last leg-sapping climb up to the Cairngorms,
0:45:06 > 0:45:09whilst others still have a bit further to go.
0:45:09 > 0:45:10Tired.
0:45:10 > 0:45:14It's about 102ks, so we're not doing too bad now, right enough.
0:45:14 > 0:45:16Oh, yeah, you've kind of broken the back of it now.
0:45:16 > 0:45:20- Well... - HE LAUGHS
0:45:20 > 0:45:22..this is still a bit of a romp up, though, isn't it?
0:45:22 > 0:45:24There are many cycle events in Scotland now,
0:45:24 > 0:45:27but this has to be one of the most spectacular.
0:45:27 > 0:45:29It has some of the steepest climbs,
0:45:29 > 0:45:31it certainly has rolling terrain
0:45:31 > 0:45:34and with 2,000 metres of ascent,
0:45:34 > 0:45:38it means that the cyclists get an absolutely incredible challenge.
0:45:38 > 0:45:41Unlike the Bealach na Ba and Applecross,
0:45:41 > 0:45:43which is a very famous defined climb,
0:45:43 > 0:45:46the accumulated climbing here is far, far greater,
0:45:46 > 0:45:50and the terrain, it seems, much, much more remote.
0:45:50 > 0:45:54It's a brilliant route. I love the Cairngorms -
0:45:54 > 0:45:57fantastic scenery.
0:45:57 > 0:45:59I mean, cycling-wise, it's a challenge.
0:45:59 > 0:46:02There's plenty climbing and it's just a beautiful area
0:46:02 > 0:46:04to be in, really.
0:46:05 > 0:46:07There are two lead riders,
0:46:07 > 0:46:10if we can call them lead riders, in the sportive,
0:46:10 > 0:46:15at 140km complete of the 165,
0:46:15 > 0:46:18and they're just trading leads here, swapping it,
0:46:18 > 0:46:21doing a bit of drafting, swapping over,
0:46:21 > 0:46:25maybe one minute or so in front of each other,
0:46:25 > 0:46:27just to ease the last little bit.
0:46:29 > 0:46:31This is the time of the race where your brain
0:46:31 > 0:46:33really starts to wander.
0:46:33 > 0:46:37You've been on the bike now for over five hours.
0:46:37 > 0:46:40You are definitely going to be tired now.
0:46:40 > 0:46:44You've already cycled, by this stage, about 145km.
0:46:45 > 0:46:51But still a fair chunk to go and a vicious last climb up to Cairngorm.
0:46:52 > 0:46:56Very hard to focus on what is ahead.
0:46:56 > 0:46:57It's not over yet.
0:46:57 > 0:47:00You've got to keep something in reserve.
0:47:01 > 0:47:03That reserve, at this stage,
0:47:03 > 0:47:05is definitely going to be psychological.
0:47:05 > 0:47:09The person who actually does best in this event today
0:47:09 > 0:47:11will not necessarily have the strongest legs,
0:47:11 > 0:47:14but definitely have the strongest mind.
0:47:14 > 0:47:16It is a very long way indeed.
0:47:16 > 0:47:18- Turn left.- Turn left.
0:47:18 > 0:47:21- Thank you.- You're welcome.
0:47:21 > 0:47:24I have moments when I'm cycling and I think
0:47:24 > 0:47:25I don't know why I'm there doing it
0:47:25 > 0:47:29because it's so hard, but at the end of it, it makes it worthwhile.
0:47:29 > 0:47:32It's nice to see different parts of Scotland too -
0:47:32 > 0:47:36the scenery's beautiful if the weather's good enough to see it.
0:47:37 > 0:47:40If you're out on a normal ride and you're 40 miles from home
0:47:40 > 0:47:41and you've got to get home,
0:47:41 > 0:47:44you just have to keep ploughing on.
0:47:44 > 0:47:48Even if your speed drops to walking pace,
0:47:48 > 0:47:49you have to get home and that's it.
0:47:49 > 0:47:52Again, we know we have to get to the finish,
0:47:52 > 0:47:54hopefully it will be before the broom wagon sweeps us up.
0:47:54 > 0:47:56LAUGHTER
0:47:57 > 0:48:00Towards the end, it'll be much better.
0:48:00 > 0:48:03So once you've sort of finished the really hard climbs,
0:48:03 > 0:48:06except for the last one up round Cairngorm and Nethy Bridge,
0:48:06 > 0:48:08it'll be sort of a bit flatter,
0:48:08 > 0:48:11so you might put your head up and look, which will be good.
0:48:11 > 0:48:14So, yes, so hopefully we'll see plenty, but it's stunning anyway.
0:48:14 > 0:48:16I just love it. Just love it to bits.
0:48:16 > 0:48:20It's just, you know, once you get on a bike you start singing.
0:48:20 > 0:48:22It's fabulous. Can't stop.
0:48:22 > 0:48:25I think it's the freedom, it's enjoying the scenery.
0:48:25 > 0:48:29Scotland's a great place and it's made even better
0:48:29 > 0:48:33when the weather's really nice, but we can't have everything.
0:48:33 > 0:48:36So we're now on the last few kilometres
0:48:36 > 0:48:38up to the summit of Cairngorm,
0:48:38 > 0:48:41where your legs are screaming, "Stop, stop, stop, stop!"
0:48:41 > 0:48:44but your mind will not let you. You've just got a little bit to go.
0:48:44 > 0:48:46The end is close.
0:48:47 > 0:48:50So this is the position that Alan Dobbie has been in
0:48:50 > 0:48:55since the very start - in the front, hunched over his handlebars.
0:48:55 > 0:48:59We haven't seen him stand up or change position all day.
0:48:59 > 0:49:01It's an absolutely epic performance.
0:49:01 > 0:49:03He was just joined a little bit
0:49:03 > 0:49:07for the last few kilometres through Nethy Bridge.
0:49:07 > 0:49:10Even now, though, even though he's leading the group,
0:49:10 > 0:49:12we do not know and he doesn't know
0:49:12 > 0:49:15whether he's going to win the Sportive.
0:49:16 > 0:49:18Alan's had a fantastic ride
0:49:18 > 0:49:23and he should make it over the finish line in just over six hours.
0:49:23 > 0:49:27But Lindsay McCrae from Inverness may have the edge on him.
0:49:27 > 0:49:30He started out later and has been flying round the course.
0:49:30 > 0:49:32It could be a close call.
0:49:32 > 0:49:34I just like going fast.
0:49:34 > 0:49:38I just like to push myself and see how fast I can go.
0:49:38 > 0:49:41I tend to go for the longer sportives, the higher ones,
0:49:41 > 0:49:46the more climbing, just because it's more difficult and it's...
0:49:47 > 0:49:49It's more just down to how good you are.
0:49:49 > 0:49:52There's less variables, as in the more sprint ones
0:49:52 > 0:49:53can depend on groups and different things,
0:49:53 > 0:49:57whereas the longer ones tend to be just a lot of cycling on your own,
0:49:57 > 0:49:59but it's just a bit more challenging.
0:49:59 > 0:50:01The more difficult, the better.
0:50:01 > 0:50:05Donatas Markevicius was also one of the later riders out of Pitlochry.
0:50:05 > 0:50:10He's comparatively new to the sport, but that's not apparent today.
0:50:10 > 0:50:13This is our second season on the road bike.
0:50:13 > 0:50:16I found cycling last year, so I bought my first bike,
0:50:16 > 0:50:18road bike last year.
0:50:18 > 0:50:21This year I bought a new one, a bit more expensive,
0:50:21 > 0:50:23- faster on descents. - HE LAUGHS
0:50:23 > 0:50:26It's really fun to challenge yourself.
0:50:26 > 0:50:30Those who started earliest are now beginning that long, arduous climb
0:50:30 > 0:50:32to the Cairngorm Ski Centre.
0:50:32 > 0:50:35Over eight miles lie ahead,
0:50:35 > 0:50:39but most riders are psyched for this last, punishing stretch.
0:50:39 > 0:50:40Hi, Mum.
0:50:40 > 0:50:42I grew up around here,
0:50:42 > 0:50:44so I've cycled round this area quite a lot.
0:50:44 > 0:50:47It's just ticking off places I knew along the way,
0:50:47 > 0:50:49so breaking it in until it's sort of...
0:50:49 > 0:50:51I think it's about five-mile segments.
0:50:51 > 0:50:54Though all that you can think about for the last...
0:50:54 > 0:50:56From Nethy Bridge all the way along is just the last climb,
0:50:56 > 0:50:59so I guess it's good to get started,
0:50:59 > 0:51:01but your legs don't half scream at you
0:51:01 > 0:51:03for that last whatever, three miles.
0:51:04 > 0:51:07Glad to be here. I'm saving my wheelie until the end.
0:51:09 > 0:51:13Last year that was my one low bit of the entire day,
0:51:13 > 0:51:17I hadn't taken on enough nutrition in the hour leading up to it,
0:51:17 > 0:51:18so the tank was nearly empty.
0:51:18 > 0:51:19The fuel tank was running empty,
0:51:19 > 0:51:21so by the time I got to the steep section
0:51:21 > 0:51:26from Glenmore up to the Sugarbowl, I was suffering a little bit there.
0:51:26 > 0:51:27It's hard work.
0:51:29 > 0:51:30I'm not far now, eh?
0:51:31 > 0:51:33I've never cycled up it. I've been up in the bus
0:51:33 > 0:51:35and it seems quite easy in a bus,
0:51:35 > 0:51:37but I was just saying to Gavin, it doesn't seem that steep.
0:51:37 > 0:51:40but I've only ever actually been up it in a bus, so I don't know.
0:51:40 > 0:51:42I'm loving it, I'm loving it!
0:51:42 > 0:51:45We were in a group, which makes a big difference -
0:51:45 > 0:51:47if you're riding in a group, it's a lot easier.
0:51:47 > 0:51:50But as soon as you hit the hills, that's when it splits.
0:51:50 > 0:51:53But it was just a gentle ride up for me.
0:51:53 > 0:51:57I rode with a couple of guys, but it was definitely the hardest bit.
0:52:00 > 0:52:05I would have to say the last climb was hard
0:52:05 > 0:52:08because you were just exhausted.
0:52:08 > 0:52:10I think on any other normal day if that was the only climb,
0:52:10 > 0:52:13it wouldn't be, but I was going so slow, I was thinking,
0:52:13 > 0:52:15"Oh, what's wrong with me?"
0:52:15 > 0:52:17Of course, it has all those switchbacks
0:52:17 > 0:52:19where you just keep thinking of the next one.
0:52:19 > 0:52:22"Just the next one," and then, no, it's not the next one yet,
0:52:22 > 0:52:23but probably this one.
0:52:23 > 0:52:26It just keeps going that way until you see the finishing line
0:52:26 > 0:52:27and the car park.
0:52:27 > 0:52:30And for Alan Dobbie, that's the end in sight.
0:52:30 > 0:52:346 hours, 9 minutes and 15 seconds after setting off from Pitlochry,
0:52:34 > 0:52:37he's the first rider to reach the finish line.
0:52:37 > 0:52:40Alan, that's an amazing performance,
0:52:40 > 0:52:43so did you manage to keep warm throughout the whole thing?
0:52:43 > 0:52:47Too warm. I was expecting much worse weather.
0:52:47 > 0:52:53There's only two layers here, but it's very warm, so...
0:52:53 > 0:52:55Ah, I'm exhausted.
0:52:55 > 0:52:58I noticed that you didn't change the position on your bike
0:52:58 > 0:53:01the entire day, you were right down on the handlebars the entire time.
0:53:01 > 0:53:03There was a lot of wind.
0:53:03 > 0:53:05Were you just trying to do that to keep out of the wind?
0:53:05 > 0:53:07Yeah, but my back is now crippled.
0:53:08 > 0:53:10Yeah, it puts a lot of pressure on your spine,
0:53:10 > 0:53:12so my back's really sore now.
0:53:15 > 0:53:18Second over the line, just six minutes after Alan,
0:53:18 > 0:53:22is Scott Murray in a time of 6 hours, 14 minutes and 20 seconds.
0:53:22 > 0:53:25We don't know yet what the final positions will be,
0:53:25 > 0:53:28but what a tremendous ride he's had.
0:53:28 > 0:53:31You were kind of really close to Alan there for the last
0:53:31 > 0:53:33maybe 20-30 kilometres,
0:53:33 > 0:53:36and then did you have a wee crack at the bottom of the hill?
0:53:36 > 0:53:40I probably cracked about 80 mile,
0:53:40 > 0:53:45and the last five mile was just... Oh, it was just brutal.
0:53:45 > 0:53:48For the women, Siobhan Prise has kept up a great pace
0:53:48 > 0:53:51and is now nearing the end of this final climb.
0:53:51 > 0:53:56She's the first woman up this hill and completes the 102 miles
0:53:56 > 0:53:58and 2,000 metres of ascent in a fantastic time
0:53:58 > 0:54:03of 6 hours, 50 minutes and 38 seconds.
0:54:03 > 0:54:04Hi!
0:54:04 > 0:54:07Well we've been watching you the full race.
0:54:07 > 0:54:10Oh, my God! That's a mental race.
0:54:10 > 0:54:12It's so amazing though, it's so beautiful.
0:54:12 > 0:54:14Scotland's amazing.
0:54:14 > 0:54:16I was really struggling over Glenshee,
0:54:16 > 0:54:17cos it was lashing with rain,
0:54:17 > 0:54:19but as soon as you get to Coylumbridge
0:54:19 > 0:54:21and you see the "eight miles to Cairngorms"
0:54:21 > 0:54:24and you know it's a really good surface along there
0:54:24 > 0:54:26and you kind of know you're nearly there.
0:54:26 > 0:54:30Then you get to the snow gates and it's like, "Oh, goodness me!"
0:54:30 > 0:54:33I've done that now twice and it never gets any easier.
0:54:33 > 0:54:36And as the cyclists cross over the finish line,
0:54:36 > 0:54:40there's a sense of exhaustion, relief and exultation
0:54:40 > 0:54:42for a ride well done.
0:54:42 > 0:54:46I made it! Yes. There was times I wasn't sure.
0:54:46 > 0:54:48It was, eh...
0:54:48 > 0:54:53Some headwind after The Lecht, that's what really got me.
0:54:53 > 0:54:56It wasn't quite as bad at the start as we thought it was going to be,
0:54:56 > 0:54:58but, yeah, the last bit's been windy,
0:54:58 > 0:55:01so those guys that are out on their own at the end,
0:55:01 > 0:55:03it's absolutely brutal.
0:55:03 > 0:55:06So it's now time for the final reckoning.
0:55:06 > 0:55:08For the men, the first over the line,
0:55:08 > 0:55:12Alan Dobbie's time was 6:09:15
0:55:12 > 0:55:15and he came in 11th overall.
0:55:15 > 0:55:17In 3rd place, it was Donatas Markevicius
0:55:17 > 0:55:21with a time of 6:00:44.
0:55:21 > 0:55:26Just ahead in 2nd place was Richard Dowling in 6:00:12,
0:55:26 > 0:55:29but out in the lead to take the top spot was Lindsay McCrae
0:55:29 > 0:55:34with an amazing time of 5:55:32.
0:55:34 > 0:55:36I was very surprised
0:55:36 > 0:55:39because my time was almost exactly the same as the previous year.
0:55:39 > 0:55:42I knew the weather had affected me a bit, but I wasn't sure
0:55:42 > 0:55:44if it was going to be fast enough.
0:55:44 > 0:55:49I think the wind probably added...
0:55:49 > 0:55:5245 minutes to an hour onto my time,
0:55:52 > 0:55:55so I was very surprised, but I was very pleased as well,
0:55:55 > 0:56:01because it's a tough distance and the conditions were brutal.
0:56:01 > 0:56:03And the women's results look like this.
0:56:03 > 0:56:09Carolyn Hunter-Rowe came in 3rd in 7:10:14.
0:56:09 > 0:56:13Shana Young was second in 7:08:35
0:56:13 > 0:56:17and 18 minutes faster with a time of 6:50:38,
0:56:17 > 0:56:21Siobhan Prise was the fastest woman on the course today.
0:56:21 > 0:56:24Today, the morning was so wet and my hands were freezing.
0:56:24 > 0:56:28I was terrified about The Lecht because I couldn't move my hands
0:56:28 > 0:56:30so I couldn't brake and I couldn't really change gears
0:56:30 > 0:56:33and then once they're over, then it's just a home straight really.
0:56:33 > 0:56:35A great result for Siobhan
0:56:35 > 0:56:38and what a fantastic event Shana's had as well.
0:56:38 > 0:56:40She certainly didn't expect to come in second.
0:56:40 > 0:56:42I nearly didn't do it.
0:56:42 > 0:56:44I broke my leg in January,
0:56:44 > 0:56:47but then you get past one climb and you think, "OK, that's done,"
0:56:47 > 0:56:51and then you tackle The Lecht, which is one of the hardest climbs
0:56:51 > 0:56:53I've done in a long time and the sense of achievement
0:56:53 > 0:56:56which each little step that you take just brings you on.
0:56:56 > 0:57:00Then when you finish it, you just feel like, "Yeah, I've done that."
0:57:00 > 0:57:03And in case you were wondering, both the ElliptiGO bike
0:57:03 > 0:57:06and the tandem made it all the way.
0:57:06 > 0:57:08Congratulations to all who took part in this event
0:57:08 > 0:57:11in pretty challenging conditions.
0:57:11 > 0:57:13That's almost it for this programme
0:57:13 > 0:57:16but we'll be back next year with the Three Peaks Ultra Marathon Hill Race,
0:57:16 > 0:57:18but to keep you going over Christmas,
0:57:18 > 0:57:22Cameron McNeish will be forging a new route through the Western Highlands.
0:57:24 > 0:57:25This year I'm travelling through
0:57:25 > 0:57:28some of Scotland's most dramatic scenery.
0:57:28 > 0:57:30From the grandeur of Glencoe,
0:57:30 > 0:57:32the rugged Sunart peninsula,
0:57:32 > 0:57:34the majesty of Kintail
0:57:34 > 0:57:39and along some of the best coastline you can find anywhere in the world.
0:57:40 > 0:57:41Mind your head.
0:57:42 > 0:57:47This is a very special journey because it's much more than a walk.
0:57:47 > 0:57:51I want to explore the secret corners of our West Highlands
0:57:51 > 0:57:53so my home will be on wheels.
0:57:53 > 0:57:56I tell you, you'd be hard-pressed to get a view like this
0:57:56 > 0:57:58from a hotel bedroom.
0:57:58 > 0:58:01I'll be walking, cycling and packrafting
0:58:01 > 0:58:05as I make my way along these roads less travelled.
0:58:05 > 0:58:08You know, I really like the notion of following a footpath
0:58:08 > 0:58:11and having no idea where it's going.
0:58:11 > 0:58:14You get the sense of peering over horizons,
0:58:14 > 0:58:15not knowing your destination.
0:58:17 > 0:58:19Oh, I'm in heaven.
0:58:19 > 0:58:21This is as good as it gets.
0:58:22 > 0:58:24Well, that really is it for this programme.
0:58:24 > 0:58:27I hope you're able to join Cameron over the festive break.
0:58:27 > 0:58:29In the meantime, from all of us here at Cairngorm,
0:58:29 > 0:58:32thanks very much for your company. Bye for now.