a report of the 2008 Ride of the Falling Rain will apear on this site as soon as i get into gear and write it up. keep checking.
The Ride of the Falling Rain 2009, a 100 mile (162km) ride along the roads of the Isle of Islay, Scotland, will take place on Sunday 2nd August, leaving from Debbie's Cafe in Bruichladdich at 10am (ish) and finishing at the same point several hours later. There are no organised feed stations, no technical backup, no timing or transponders, and no entry fee. However, just to help us with numbers, we'll post a downloadable entry form in the fullness of time, and we'd like to suggest a £10 donation which will be passed on to the Braveheart Fund.
The approximate half-way point is at Ardbeg Distillery where you can stuff your faces with the fine fare available at the Old Kiln Cafe, and Ardbeg have generously offered a free dram for all participants. There's an illustrated 2008 route map available for download - the 2009 version will get here eventually - and if you'd like to be kept up to date through infrequent newsletters, drop an e-mail to the address below. The 2009 route will be across the same roads, though we might shuffle the direction a bit
Since August is a busy time on the island, i can't really stress enough how important it is to book your accommodation as far in advance as possible. You can find more information on island accommodation at islayinfo.com and travel via calmac.co.uk
We have also arranged an apres ride pasta party (of sorts) in Port Mor, Port Charlotte, from around 6:30pm, so that you can get a chance to chat with the folks you were too slow to keep up with, (or too quick) during the day. Since Port Mor doesn't have a drinks licence, you'd be advised to take a bottle or two of your own preference. Vegetarians will be catered for. Check for any further details before the start at Debbie's.
We'd like to thank the following for their assistance with the Ride of the Falling Rain 2008: Rapha Racing, Colnago UK, Ardbeg Distillery, The Braveheart Fund, Islay Birding, and Debbie's Cafe, Bruichladdich.