Welcome to the Nokia Coast to Coast…

Update from Event HQ
The entries for Challenger, Racer and Expert have now sold out! Unfortunately we will not have a waiting list in the first year of the event. Do note that the entries for the Coast To Cawdor Castle 10k are likely to stay open until a few days before the event, so no worries there. You will be part of an amazing gathering at this event.

Nokia –Interactive Course Guide and Training Apps
Nokia have teamed up with adventure racer Bruce Duncan to provide top training advice to help you prepare for the Nokia Coast to Coast. Also at the Nokia Outdoor Series site you can use the interactive course guide which allows you to view the course and receive expert advice on how to tackle the key features en route. See stunning photos in here and breath in.

Once you know the course like the back of your hand give your training a boost by choosing one of thousands of apps available from the Ovi Store on your Nokia:

• The Sports Tracker app is your ultimate training companion, monitoring your distance, speed and time so you know what you’ve done in training.
• Download free Sat Nav to your Nokia forever and free Lonely Planet with Ovi Maps. With Ovi Maps on your Nokia you can view the entire Nokia Coast to Coast course and make your way hassle free to the start line with free Sat Nav.

Update from the Course
In the last News we extolled the virtues of the course. This time we don’t want to be repeating ourselves! – It’s still gorgeous and with the foliage in full leaf, the country is looking lush and very green. After some tweaks we have actually shortened the course to 105 miles from 109 miles, and the detailed breakdown is shown on the website on each category page. We can also confirm that the route will drop you down close to Loch Ness before you reach Fort Augustus, to a lovely section of road between Inverfarigaig and Foyers. For those that have time for a break and a look about, there is an awesome gorge with waterfalls hidden just a few minutes stroll from the road, near a cafe, at Foyers.

It is worth reiterating that the kayaks we use for the event are Sit-on-Tops and a very easy to get to grips with. Most of the boats are 2 seaters and this means that we will ask that you pair up with whoever is near you at the shore. Your very own kayak buddy. The camaraderie that prevails in the event weekend might last you a lifetime.

Just to whet your appetite (and your quads!) here is a profile of the whole route.

Experts: We will be sending you a specific News mail on your event shortly. You’ll be interested to know that we have entries from abroad, including New Zealand and Scandinavia – looks like they have fast boats too. In fact a Kiwi entrant is looking to borrow a boat – a fast one of course - any offers?

Training
For those of you who are apprehensive about taking part in an event of this stature and who might be worried about the physical challenge that lies ahead, keep thinking positive! Get out on the bike, dig in for some 5 – 10k runs and try and take and it off road where you can. Make sure at some point you get into a kayak and have a splash on the water. A base level of fitness is required to complete the Nokia Coast to Coast Challenger event and this is what you should work on. Use the training opportunity to get into the hills and really enjoy the sights and sounds of the outdoors with friends – this is the essence of Nokia Coast to Coast.

We run a number of events throughout the summer, so if you want a taste of multi-sport why not come and try the Wan Day event near Edinburgh or if you are based in the South of England, our final 2010 Rat Race Green Belter – our new Redwood Creek event 2 weeks before the Coast to Coast, also with a neat kayaking stage. All of these events feature the 3 disciplines of running, biking and kayaking you will face in Nokia Coast to Coast, as well as being great fun to boot. Remember you also get an automatic 25% off any of our other events with our Rat Race Rewards Code.

Bike Choice
You might remember that we gave a list of considerations to help with your bike choice in the last News. This is still relevant and unchanged. Click here to check it again.

Bike Hire
Bikes are still available to hire for those who want to, but they are being snapped up fast at the Rat Race Store. The hire fee of £85 includes:

Bag drop
The bag which you will leave at Nairn registration for us to transport (Challenger and Racer Class) can be max 65 litres and weigh no more than 15kg. This is due to the weight limitation of our transporting vehicles and we will be checking bag weights. Please do not pack any fragile items or liquids in weak containers as they may leak in transit. If you are camping on the night before the start of the event in Nairn you will be able to leave your bag on the morning of the event.

The tent cannot weigh more than 5kg per person. This weight may be increased if more than 1 person is sleeping in the tent. i.e. 1 person 5kg, 2 people 10kg. No tent over 15kg will be transported by us. Your observance of these limits will enable the event logistics to work well - thank you.

To recap - max 1 bag per person, size limit is 65 litres and of 15kg max, plus a tent weighing no more than 5kg per person.

We will announce more detailed timings in the next Newsletter in August.

Castle Cawdor Bike Transition
Once you leave your bike in the bike transition you will not be able to remove it until you pick up the bike during the event. You will still be able to perform maintenance on your bike while in the bike compound. Bikes can only be brought in and not OUT before the event. This is for security reasons. You will leave your bike next to your start number. Start List will be published on the website a week prior the event.

ATTACHED to your bike you will be able to leave:
- bike helmet
- bike shoes (if indeed you choose to use these in the event)
- bike gloves and glasses inside bike shoes (if you choose to use)
- water bottle
- tools and accessories (e.g. pump, puncture repair kit)

Please refer to the event mandatory kit list on each category page to ensure that your kit planning is complete.

You cannot leave any other items in the bike transition area. Once you leave the bike transition on the day of the event you have to take all your belongings with you including any rubbish, and no kit interaction with spectators or supporters will happen here unless you are in the Expert Category. No items will be transported by us from this location.

Fort William Bike Transition
At the Fort William transition ATTACHED to your bike you will be able to leave the following:

- bike helmet
- bike shoes (if indeed you used these in the event)
- bike gloves and glasses inside bike shoes (if you have used these)
- water bottle
- tools and accessories (e.g. pump, puncture repair kit)

You cannot leave any other items in the bike transition area. For those who have not booked the transport back to the start line we offer two options of bike transport. Your bike can:

- stay in Fort William for you to pick it up on Sunday evening or Monday morning (you must pick up your bike before 10am on Monday)
- be transported to Isle of Glencoe Hotel on Sunday evening

Please note that at this stage we cannot commit to a time when we will transport your bike to the finish line from Fort William.

NOTE: Those who booked travel back to the start line on Sunday or Monday will be contacted shortly for further details.

We have prepared a short survey that we will ask you to complete and this will enable us to plan the logistics appropriately. Please click HERE to fill the survey. Please note that we need an answer from each person and not a team answer.

NOTE: You will HAVE to tell us whether you want your bike to be transported to the finish line or not, otherwise it will remain in Fort William.

Fort Augustus Camping (Challenger category only)
Please indicate in the same survey HERE if you are planning to camp in Fort Augustus on Saturday night. It will help us in planning the area. The facilities on the campsite will include: toilets, showers and catering.

FAQ
We’ve created a handy guide with some FAQs, featured on the website. Have a wee look on the website HERE.

Crewing
Are you keen to get involved in the Coast to Coast but not sure if it’s for you? Are you supporting friends or relatives who have entered? Are you looking for work experience in the events or adventure sectors? Or do you just want to spend some time in a beautiful place with some great people behind the scenes at a cool event? If so, why not join the Coast to Coast crew and see what goes on behind the scenes! Roles are varied, but each and every crew member has an important and valued role to play at the event. You will need to be adaptable and hard-working, plus use initiative and be quick-thinking in dealing with situations whether they are at HQs or in a remote location on the course. The role of an event crew member is demanding... but extremely rewarding at the same time. You will be warmly welcomed by the event team and you are sure to find your days a most rewarding experience.

The Reward for your Help:
Not only will you have a great day out we will also offer you some nice rewards in return for your help! The offers will vary depending on role however they will usually include some money or Rat Race Store vouchers as well as discount entry to some of our events.

Next News from us will be in second week of August. Happy training.

The Coast to Coast Team