Just like that, it was gone. Not just the event itself, but the snow and ice that made the 2025 edition of the Strathpuffer the picture perfect one that will live long in the memory.
If you’re going to hold a 24-hour mountain biking endurance challenge in the Highlands in mid-winter, this is exactly why. A few days before the event, deep snow carpeted the forest and hills above Contin, making the trails hard to find, never mind actually ride.
But, boy, did they look the part. All that snow compacted into a tantalising combination of glittering white snow and crisp, slippery ice.
Talk of tyre choice changed rapidly as the last-minute scramble for ice spikers took off. Thankfully, I had some in the garage – and the brand-new mud tyres I’d ordered a couple of weeks ago in the wet and mild weather could just stay there.
I took part as one of a quad team, the four of us taking turns to do a lap while the others did their utmost to keep warm in the subzero temperatures.
The Strathpuffer was a winter wonderland in 2025. Picture: John Davidson
The night before the race began, we camped at the forest site in Contin, where the temperature dipped to a chilling minus 12 degrees Celsius. My down sleeping bag, liner and layers of clothing kept me warm enough, although the inside of the tent was covered in frozen condensation and everything outside was solid – including the water supply.
In the circumstances, we’d decided to head to the pasta party at Contin Village Hall on the Friday evening, when we were able to spend a few hours keeping warm, getting fed and having a few beers while meeting fellow competitors – including one 11-year-old who turned out to be the youngest ever competitor and who absolutely smashed it over the 24 hours.
The community who are invaded by hundreds of mountain bikers every January for the Puffer were absolutely fantastic and hosted the pre-event meal in the hall with real Highland hospitality, and some great banter, too!
It was in keeping with the event. Riding around a 12.5km course that is hard enough for mere mortals like me in normal conditions is a whole new ball game in snow and ice. Yet I still preferred it to the mud-fest I’ve experienced in the past.
Handling a snowy bend during the Strathpuffer. Picture: John DavidsonRiders set off from the start/finish area for another Strathpuffer lap. Picture: John DavidsonPark of the Strathpuffer course seen from the handlebars. Picture: John Davidson
I’ve been here twice before, in 2015 and 2016, but my teammates were first-timers – including one who only took up mountain biking a couple of months ago with a view to taking part. We were never going to be among the competitive classes, so we were just there for the laughs and, ideally, to not fall off!
We weren’t alone in finding the course “challenging” and other euphemisms for downright difficult. The first few miles of the course largely follow the fire road – forestry vehicle tracks – that are usually straightforward apart from being steep in places.
Even these simple sections of the course became stretches that you had to fully concentrate on, as the snow had stayed powdery apart from a trail a few inches wide that you basically had to follow to avoid sliding all over the place. It meant for slow downhills as well as tough uphills.
Then came the start of the course proper, in my mind, where you leave the fire road and leap straight into a tough climb on the singletrack. Usually I can ride this – just about – but in the snow it was a walk of two steps forward, one step back while trying to manhandle the bike over the ice and rocks.
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Back on the bike, the trail is bumpy with rocks now hidden below the snow. I did my best to follow the line and maintain enough momentum, but I was quite disorientated despite knowing the route well enough.
After the slab, a testing downhill rock feature made all the more difficult when covered in ice, I passed Bill – the cycling skeleton – without realising where I was. I seemed to forget all the best lines and ended up with a not very proficient ride.
The moon above riders high in the forest during the Strathpuffer. Picture: John DavidsonFlowing into the corner on the final descent. Picture: John Davidson
Still, I stayed on the bike through this section and managed most of the climbs without getting off to walk. The descent to the old Bridge of Thighs – now a culvert over the burn – was good fun and I love the climb up to the viewpoint over Loch Kinellan.
The snow was soft on the descent from here, with a deep rut meaning you basically slid down the one available line. I’ve no idea how those on four-inch-wide fat bike tyres managed it!
After a few more ups and downs, the course arrives at what is probably my least favourite bit – that section that plays on your mind and adds to the anxiety. It’s the long descent from Cnoc nan Sasunnach – the hill of the Englishman – that drops through a steep, rocky hell with continuous drop-offs and soft earth in between.
Neal is loving his first Strathpuffer! Picture: John DavidsonHandling a snowy bend during the Strathpuffer. Picture: John DavidsonThe camping area that dipped to -12C on the Friday night. Picture: John Davidson
I’ve just about sussed out how to ride this bit in dry weather but this was a whole new challenge. I somehow bounced down the first time; on my next lap I almost crashed by trying to use the back brake on a steep, icy rock, and then when it turned to mush later in the night I just walked one section that I couldn’t find any line through!
Thankfully, after that section the final descent is a thing of pure, wintry beauty. It sweeps down to cross a path at a gap in the wall, then twists on big turns through the trees to drop you out just yards from the finish line.
On my last lap I was singing along to the music blasting from the speakers here as I completed my last few turns of an event that will surely become one of the legendary years of the Strathpuffer.
Dry, cold and covered in snow. Who could ask for more?
John (right) with his teammates Alan, Neal and Peter at the end of this year’s Strathpuffer. Picture: Callum Mackay
Route details
Strathpuffer 2025
Distance 8 miles / 12.5 km laps for 24 hours
Terrain Snow and ice-covered fire road and uneven, steep, rocky singletrack
Start/finish Contin Forest
Map OS Landranger 26; OS Explorer 437
Returning to take on the Strathpuffer in perfect winter conditions
Route of Strathpuffer 2025 lap. ©Crown copyright 2025 Ordnance Survey. Media 017/25.
Click here to see the route in OS Maps
Spectators gather at the gap int he wall to watch the Strathpuffer riders. Picture: John DavidsonFully focused on the right line through the trees. Picture: John DavidsonBill is a well-kent feature of the Strathpuffer. Picture: John DavidsonA night-rider with light trails – including blue and green fairy lights on the frame. Picture: John DavidsonOne rider approaches the end of a lap during the Strathpuffer. Picture: John DavidsonRiders in the Strathpuffer pass beside one of the camping areas close to the route. Picture: John DavidsonLighting up some of the 17 hours of darkness during the Strathpuffer. Picture: John DavidsonLooking over the fire road as riders start off another lap of the Strathpuffer. Picture: John DavidsonFinding the right line through the snow at the Strathpuffer. Picture: John DavidsonAn aerial view of riders heading through the gap in the wall before the final descent of the Strathpuffer course. Picture: John Davidson