Today we are off to Lochhill Farm, New Abbey – thats 59km and1300m away.
But first its another twist, and a special stage race starts the day. Dalbeattie is the most westerly of the 7stanes and me and Adi Scott visited here a few years ago. Its a short ride out there and the stage is done mid ride. Tricky singletrack with sections built from big rounded granite boulders, short but tough climbs, good use of the exposed bedrock and some scary-steep descents of the slab. The tough 15km time trial is billed as perfect for the fearless power-climber with top drawer bike handling skills, do they know me then ;-)
I think we are having the UK's good weather compared to you guys down south, glorious!!
Think this is easy, well after a FNSS length frantic race its off again for the next linking stage, luckily its only off to New abbey village, is the shortest link of the week. Theres some choice singletrack and some secret trail en-route today (where we encountered a beach and made a few sand castles), this was provided by the host of the evening, mtb downhill racer from Extreme endurance, Clive Forth of the Criffel Inn. That will be another night in the bar then, probably too much to drink but its all part of the game! then carbo load here we come.
Most of the rest of the riders seem to be taking things much to seriously, i'm chillin' out and enjoying the riding, after todays ride we spent time wondering around town and went for a few pints and a good hot meal, i am with the 3 manc lads from yesterday, we got booked into a hotel with a proper bed and shower , the rest are back in the tents and doing admin ;-)
Managed to pull 40 secs off the guy in front again today and managed 4th, but that night stage is coming and all that winter tuesday night training should sort me out. (oh dear does that sound competitive?)
