Along the ancient trails of The Restless Xtreme Gravel Triathlon

Hurtling down a forest road at 60kmph the smooth surface suddenly vanishes and is replaced by a section of large stones/small boulders. I haven’t time to brake so instead (try to) relax and hold on for dear life. I pray to the mechanical gods that my tyres, rims and everything else will stay in one piece.

After some seriously colourful language I remind myself of the organiser’s words at the race briefing: “This is an extreme event”. Time to pull myself together and get on with it.

I am in the hills of Scotland, about halfway through the inaugural Restless Extreme Gravel Triathlon. The latest race to be launched by the XTRI World Tour and organisers behind such races as Celtman and Himalayan XTRI, it’s certainly living up to the title…

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A very Scottish affair

The backdrop to the 1.8k swim is about as Scottish as you could get. Castle: check. Huge sea loch (see above): check. Stunning mountains: check. Bloodthirsty midges intent on sucking you dry before getting into the water: double check!

Before the start I head for some quality me time in one of the portable loos. As I’m about to sit I realise that I have already zipped up my tri-suit and put on my neoprene thermal vest. The ensuing struggle is epic.

When I eventually exit, the next person in line gives me a strange look. I haven’t the heart to explain what all the grunting or groaning was for or why I’m sweating. Instead I fail to make a joke about pre-race warm-ups and nervously shuffle down to the loch.

After the horn goes for the deep water start I’m quickly passed by the good swimmers on route to the first buoy. I then swallow a load of water in the scrum getting around it before settling into a state of mild self-loathing.

I rarely, if ever, swim well but as I thrash along I still manage to resent being so slow. Each time I sight, I see the front guys and girls getting further and further away from me.

I try and stay positive. The water is glassy calm, I’m not at all cold (If anything with the thermal wetsuit and vest combo I’m a tad toasty once I get going) and the postcard surroundings are seriously cool. I’ve just swum past a castle!

On the return leg of the out and back circuit I manage to pass a couple of people and begin to get ready for transition. I exit in about 12th place and after some utterly epic faffing in transition mount the bike in around 15th. I’ve got some work to do.

Extreme logistics?

The race has two separate transition areas. The swim start and T1 is 9km away from T2 and the run start/finish. Initially, when looking to sign up for the event, this had been a deterrent for me.

Being on my own, without supporters, I thought this would be an added hassle before and after the race. The reality though was that the organisers had everything in order to minimise this.

Bikes were checked in the day before at T1. Run kit could either be dropped off the day before or the morning of. On race day we were then bussed down to the start from the main village. For me this adds to the build-up and sense of adventure.

There’s a heightened sense of finality when you get on a coach, with no going back. Some people use the time to quietly reflect on the task ahead.

Others get to know the person beside them. A few just look terrified. I’m sat next to a lovely chap who confides that he has never ridden a gravel bike before but is nonetheless “well up for it”.

Gravel steals the show

The bike is arguably the centrepiece of the day and the reason most competitors signed up. Despite the relatively short distance (48km) the route demands respect. There’s 2000m of ascent and some technical sections worthy of the gnarliest MTB trail ratings.

After only pedalling 50 meters, the first serious climb arrives. Already I see some athletes walking with their bikes. The terrain is ok but the gradient isn’t. It’s steep. Really steep. Keeping my bum on the seat for traction I grind my way up.

I’m watching my power meter to not get carried away too early, but the gradient is such that I need to push silly watts just to keep moving forward. This is hard graft!

After the first big climb comes the first descent and with that the first big smile. Fast flowing gravel riding. Not too technical. Going full speed without fear of traffic. The feeling of speed exaggerated by the forest rushing by. Awesome. This was what I signed up for.

With thoughts of inadequacy from the swim almost gone, I push on. I catch sight of the couple of riders ahead who I think are in the lead. I guess they are about 3mins 30 ahead and decide to give it a push for the next 10km and see if I can reduce that.

After 20 minutes, I ask a rider I’m passing how many are ahead of him and he answers “just one”. I’m surprised but pleased. When I catch up to the lead rider I’m glad to see it’s a good friend, Lewis Williams.

We immediately agree what a stunning location it is and how great the riding has been so far. He ‘compliments’ me on my swim and I ‘compliment’ him on allowing someone old enough to be his dad to catch him on the bike.

After a bit more chat we agree to keep the pace honest. I’m nervous about a mechanical on the bike, especially on the latter, more technical, stages.

Unfortunately, Lewis has been struggling with a knee problem recently and at about the halfway point he drops back. I’m now on my own up front.

After my initial encounter with the first boulder field, I actually enjoy the more technical sections. They are something different to focus on rather than just the effort of pushing.

Tactically, it also adds an interesting dynamic to the race. I know I’m ok on the climbs and faster sections but I’m sure others behind me will be much better at the technical stuff.

This is all-too-embarrassingly highlighted when I chicken out and run down a steep rocky section where the event photographers are waiting to get their action shots. (see the picture of me grimacing above for proof!)

More swearing

In T3 the welcome from the volunteers and marshals is great. They take my bike and help me get my run kit bag. I’m told that I have a “huge lead” but try not to get complacent. There’s still a lot of racing to come and anything can happen.

Anything does! After running about a minute I hear shouting behind me. I see people waving at me to return. I’ve been directed the wrong way. Bugger!

Trying to make light of the situation I head back and internally run through some favourite swear words while settling into a rhythm. I estimate I’ve lost 1.5 to 2 minutes at most and hope that my ‘huge lead’ is big enough to withstand it.

The gravel bike perhaps steals the show but the spectacular and demanding nature of the run is not to be overlooked. It takes you on a 25km circular route around Ben Donich, the tallest mountain on the Ardgoil peninsula (847m). Halfway round the loop you head straight up and summit the peak before returning back to finish the second half of the circuit.

I had (stupidly) considered wearing road racing shoes but am extremely glad I didn’t. After about 5km of trails and forestry road I find myself running on a gruelling mixture of tussocky, steep, off-camber bogland, deep heather and barely defined sheep tracks. It’s tough going.

The focus required on where my feet are going also makes it hard to keep track of where the race markings are. I also have another problem. I’m bursting for a pee!

At a high vantage point I look back and seeing no one, decide to stop. I could go in my suit on the move but I always find this grim, especially once it ends up squelching around in your shoes… My wife and I are also in the middle of potty training my youngest son and I somehow feel like this would be a poor example!

Halfway through my business, I notice that a metre to my right I have a red deer for company. I smile, wondering how many people shrink wrapped in Lycra it has encountered before today, say hello, finish up and begin the second major climb of the day, the ‘Rest and be Thankful’.

The name comes from the climb out of Glen Croe being so long and steep that it was traditional for travellers and cattle drovers, of old, to rest at the top and be thankful for having made the highest point alive.

Although it is steep and long, it’s much more runnable than the previous bogland. I enjoy this section and begin to get ready for the final push up to the peak of Ben Donich. So far the legs feel strong and I’m managing to stay on top of nutrition/hydration.

When I summit, the peak is shrouded in mist and the incredible view I know is out there is sadly hidden. Despite this, there is something very cool about being at the top of a mountain during a race. It adds the sense of adventure and is another reason for being satisfied with yourself afterwards.

On the way up, I have not taken it easy but with no one visibly close behind I have taken my foot off the gas slightly. This changes when I see the second-placed athlete close to the summit.

He’s clearly made up a lot of ground since the bike and still looks full of running. I decide to get the technical descending off the peak out of the way and then push on once back onto the forestry roads.

Getting off the mountain trail almost feels like a natural conclusion to the run and mentally I find it quite hard knowing that there is still another 9km or so of running to go. The hard charging athlete in second helps overcome this though and I up the pace.

The remainder is mainly downhill. On already tired legs this is probably the reason most competitors will be avoiding stairs the next day, but it does mean the latter half is done relatively quickly.

With a couple of kilometres to go I allow myself to take the pace down again and enjoy the last few mins. I’m tired but I smile to myself thinking about my family. Two of my boys are old enough to be following on the tracker and I know they will be very excited by their old dad getting the win.

I cross the finish line down by the shores of Lochgoilhead. The backdrop again is picture-perfect and one of many views that I would not have seen if not for this race. That’s another reason these races appeal to me. They tend to be in stunning parts of the world that I might have otherwise never been to.

Scotland deserves this kind of event. The scenery is gorgeous, the gravel riding almost endless and on those occasions when the weather plays ball, there is no place better to head out and have an extreme adventure. I hope this is the first of many such races.

Winner Iain’s kit tips for XTRI Restless

• Thermal wetsuit: The normal water temperature range is 10–12 degrees for the loch at this time.

• Thermal booties: As much for the really rough ground underfoot getting in and out as for the water temperature.

• Bike: Gravel bikes or cyclocross bikes only. No MTBs allowed.

• Tyres: Go as wide as your bike will allow and pick a model with puncture protection.

• Tyre inserts: I used Cush Core inserts. These foam inserts help prevent pinch punctures and allow you to roll on a flat if it can’t be fixed with the usual sealant, plugs and gas.

• Puncture kit: I carried lots of extra plugs and CO₂. I was lucky and only got one puncture. I would recommend carrying the extra weight to ensure against a DNF.

• Hydration: USWE Hydration Pack. I knew the route would be rough and didn’t want to lose a bottle. It also kept my hands free for negotiating the rough stuff.

• Food / Hydration: Pack more. With 1200m of ascent over some very slow terrain, expect to be going for longer than the distance would suggest.

• Footwear: Shoes with proper off-road traction are a must.

Logistics advice for XTRI Restless

How to get there?
The race venue (Lochgoilhead) is a scenic 1.5-hour drive north from Glasgow.

Accommodation
I stayed at the Drimsynie Holiday Village in Lochgoilhead. I was on my own and opted for a traditional hotel room, but the resort has everything from large family chalets to static homes. Food was good and the location was perfect for T2, the finish, and the bus pick-up in the morning.

When can I race?
The 2026 race will take place on Saturday, 22nd August.

Who is Iain Veitch?

Father of three wonderful boys, husband to a very tolerant wife, and business owner, Iain identifies as a triathlete. Iain’s the course record holder of Braveheart Extreme Triathlon, Starman Extreme Triathlon, Roc England, Wales and Scotland Extreme Triathlons, and the runner-up at this year’s Celtman Triathlon.