Preparation guide · Étape Caledonia
Étape Caledonia 2027: how to prepare it and what to eat and drink
The next edition is on Sunday 9 May 2027 (date given by third-party sources (9 May 2027), pending confirmation on the official website; start time is indicative), starting in Pitlochry (Perthshire, Scotland) at 7:00. Here you have the route of Étape Caledonia 85 miles, its climbs, the usual weather and how much to eat and drink for your target time.
Étape Caledonia 85 miles: route and profile
Organisers' track (85 miles); the organisers quote 1,555 m of climbing, more than the track measures.
| Climb | Where | Length | Gain | Average grade | Top |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Climb at km 19 | km 19–26 | 6.9 km | +228 m | 3.3 % | 377 m |
The climbs and key sections, one by one
| Climb or section | Length | What it's like and how to ride it |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Pitlochry → Loch Tummel km 0 | 19.4 km max 6.3 % | Closed-road start along Loch Tummel: constant ups and downs with short rises. Controlled pace: with the whole road for cyclists, groups go off very fast. Find one at your level and don't go too deep on the rises. |
| 2. Climb from Tummel Bridge km 19.4 | 6.9 km avg 3.3 % · max 7.6 % | The first real climb: about 7 km of steady drag across the moorland to almost 380 m. Climb at 75–80 % of FTP, seated. It's windier and colder at the top: zip up your gilet for the descent to Kinloch Rannoch. |
| 3. Loop of Loch Rannoch km 26.3 | 50 km max 3.7 % | 50 km of almost flat road around the loch, through Kinloch Rannoch (station), on a narrow road very exposed to the wind. This is the stretch to ride in a group and eat solid food: short turns and no surges. If there's a headwind on one shore, it'll help you on the other. |
| 4. Schiehallion km 76.3 | 3.7 km avg 4.3 % · max 7.8 % | The event's signature climb, on the flank of Schiehallion: steepest in the last two kilometres, with ramps close to 8 % and sometimes a headwind. A gel 10 minutes before and an easy gear. At most 85–90 % of FTP: there are still 55 km to go. There are usually spectators: enjoy it without overdoing it. |
| 5. Plateau and descent to Coshieville km 80 | 15 km max 3.3 % | A few km of plateau at 350–370 m and a long descent to the Tay valley, past Glengoulandie (station). Eat and drink on the plateau. The descent is fast and the surface can be damp: brake before the bends. |
| 6. Tay valley to Pitlochry km 95 | 40.8 km max 5.1 % | Back via Aberfeldy and the Tay valley, almost flat, with the House of Menzies station and short rises in the last 10 km. A stretch for riding in a group and eating well: you gain more time sitting in here than on Schiehallion. Save something for the rises at the end. |
Route keys
- 85 miles (about 137 km) through the Perthshire Highlands on roads closed to traffic. The organisers quote 1,555 m of climbing: lots of rolling terrain and two climbs (Tummel Bridge and Schiehallion), no long passes.
- It's a group ride: the loop of Loch Rannoch (50 km) and the Tay valley (40 km) are flat and exposed. Sitting in saves 30 % of your energy: find a group and take short turns.
- Schiehallion (km 76–80) is the climb people remember: 3.7 km, hardest at the end. A gel before and at most 85–90 % of FTP, as there are 55 km still to go.
- Stations are by place rather than kilometre: Kinloch Rannoch, the Forestry Commission car park, Glengoulandie and House of Menzies, with fruit, pancakes, cakes and local produce. Eat on the move too: don't wait for the station.
3 more keys in WinWatts: with the forecast for the days before, the wind and heat section by section, and on which climbs to eat and drink.
Étape Caledonia 85 miles: what to eat and drink
How much a typical rider (72 kg) needs depending on their time. From 2–3 hours on, what matters most is eating carbs regularly (every 20–30 minutes) and drinking before you're thirsty.
| Total time | Carbs per hour | Total carbs | Drink per hour | Total drink | Sodium per hour |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 h | 75 g/h | 295 g | 450 ml/h | 2.2 l | 300 mg/h |
| 6 h | 75 g/h | 360 g | 450 ml/h | 2.7 l | 300 mg/h |
| 7 h | 75 g/h | 440 g | 450 ml/h | 3.1 l | 300 mg/h |
| 8 h | 75 g/h | 505 g | 450 ml/h | 3.6 l | 300 mg/h |
More than 60–90 g of carbs per hour only if you've trained it. Don't try on race day what you haven't tolerated in training.
The organisers publish the stations by place (Glengoulandie, House of Menzies, Kinloch Rannoch and Forestry Commission Car Park) but not their kilometres. When they do, mark them in WinWatts and the plan is redone with your stops.
Étape Caledonia 85 miles: weather in early May
What the weather was like on the second Sunday of May in recent editions:
| Year | Low | High | Rain | Max wind |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 8 ºC | 14 ºC | 0.1 mm | 14 km/h |
| 2023 | 9 ºC | 12 ºC | 0.1 mm | 9 km/h |
| 2024 | 12 ºC | 16 ºC | 0.0 mm | 14 km/h |
| 2025 | 8 ºC | 17 ºC | 0.0 mm | 12 km/h |
| 2026 | 2 ºC | 9 ºC | 0.0 mm | 16 km/h |
Your Étape Caledonia, tailored to you
This guide uses a typical rider. In WinWatts we calculate it with your data:
- Your time, average power and finish time from your FTP and weight.
- The race-day forecast for each section, and what to wear.
- Your food and drink plan kilometre by kilometre, with your gels, bars and bottles.
- Your training plan until Sunday 9 May 2027, adjusted every week to how you're doing.
WinWatts is not affiliated with the organisers of the Étape Caledonia. Dates, routes, schedules and registration: official website. Route measured on the organisers' GPX (85 miles); feed stations published by location; weather from past editions (Open-Meteo). For guidance only: it doesn't replace advice from a health professional.