The Lake APR is a classic of the Scottish early season. Organised by the Glasgow Nightingale Club, which was founded in 1925,
it is popular amongst serious racers.
It is run over two laps of the Lake of Menteith course, a loop that is used for several other local races. The surface is stubborn along the section that heads north alongside the lake, and with a generally square lap there are bound to be side winds and head winds, which may offer tactical opportunities for breakaways.
However, attacking your group is not always the best idea- the APR (Aussie Pursuit Race) format offers something for everyone, with vets and newer racers setting off first in an attempt to stay clear of the fast men. There is no excuse for sitting in as each of the six groups will be attempting to catch the group in front and/or avoid being caught by the chasers behind. Working with your rivals is a necessary evil in a race like this.
The start sheet shows no big names from teams like Rapha, Kinesis, Endura or Wheelbase, who sometimes enter Scottish races. This year it’s all hardcore amateur racers, with classic Scottish clubs such as Glasgow Wheelers, Hawick CC and Deeside Thistle represented.
It’s the first race of the season for Stirling Bike Club’s Rob Wilkins, who starts in the scratch group surrounded by riders from local rivals Falkirk BC. Rob is looking to clock up more wins following a highly successful season last year. With an uphill finish into Balfron, it is a course that could suit Rob.
This year the most interesting development is the Lake APR Feminine- a womens-only field of 30 riders, contesting the same course over 1 lap. Three women’s groups will leave after the men’s scratch group. Riders to watch include Stirling BC’s Jane Barr, who is on the Scottish Cycling Commonwealth development team and Braveheart-supported rider Eileen Roe.
Links
Lake APR Start sheet on Braveheart cycling forums
Glasgow Nightingale Cycling Club website
Gale Events on twitter
Race sponsors
NVT Group ICT solutions
Sapphire information security
Solidrock Cycles, Glasgow









