Jack's posts with tag: transscotland
|  | Fun in Glentress doing the black before climbing up another wood to drop to inners for the technical fun up to Minch Moor, and the final great mor ride to Selkirk.
Went for it today with Dan and paul for the first time this wekk and saw the front of the race for the first time, hard but feeling good to finish 350 miles of great trails. |
| | Moffat to Peebles (Glentress)
One very hard day which started so well in fantastic scenery and good sheep trails and had a killer middle with a long hike a bike then a mental descent of about 10Km and not a single bit of fireroad, smoking brakes and pumped up hands and big big grins all round though.
last fun in Glentress and some lateness penalties for most a hard day. |
| | One long climb back throug Dumfries and Ae to drop back to Moffat, oh and another Hotel and lots of good beer and food as its Pauls Birthday.
We had to TT halfway though which was crap for me as I blew out my back tyre riding like a loony, to fast too rocky.
Some mad fast road trains through town were fun so not many photos today. |
| | short ride to do the second TT in Dalbeaties superb trails, minus the slab and the twins though, boo hoo, deemed to scary for some riders.
then as we had to wait till everyone finished we went to town and scoffed pannis and latte, brilliant this racing lark Then anothe big dose of dlabeatie trails and great riding to New Abbey where we were all booked into pubs (6 of us) for superb food and a nice hot shower, bollox to camping.
the sun shone at last wahoo |
| | The big one - North to start with loads of singletrack trails to start, then a mass of fun in Ae forrest (its not got the nickname of Accident and Emegency for nothing) this place is great and mental.
Then off to Dalbeatie through Mabie, three centres in 1 day and 100K - bloody hard for sure |
| | Out from Moffat on killer climbs and Southern Uplands way before a final fling in the castle forrest trails as a spicer for the later TT |
The last day to complete the loop Glentress to Selkirk Rugby Club – a 63km spin and a whopping 2300m of climbing. Its a singletrack fest, Again I've done some of these trails on the Selkirk 100K Merida ride (can't recommend that event enough by the way) so its going to be fun. But first we start with the Glentrees Black run and the amazing DELIVERANCE - possibly the longest singeltrack descent in the UK. Red mist takes over today, nothing to save the legs for today, lets hit this baby for all we've got left, the race is on to get back to the finish and the big party first, death or glory. Me Dan amd Paul my new riding buddies are having it large. 
The Traquair XC route ls another familar play ground and I love it. The singletrack climb to the top of Minch Moor is a beauty and then its east towards Selkirk on the south uplands way again. before the traditional descent into Selkirk from the 3Bretheren. Its long and your smiling because its all over and a brilliant way to finish any ride. A perfect spot to finish a great weeks riding, a good rugby club bar and no tent to put up for me, which is just as well as they have lost it. 
A great week and recomended for anyone who wants adventure and full on riding on all types of trails.
Right June then, can we have some Sun then please, on yes it was scorchio. We're off to Glentress Bike Hub and the fantastic trails there. I've riden there oodles of times, but never against the clock, Oh yes and its in the dark too. First its 65km and 2100m of lumps to get there. The most picturesque of the link stages, day 6 starts with a partial retracing of steps to the source of the Ettrick near Overpawhop. Is this really Scotland. Climbing over to the Yarrow Valley back on the S.U.Way several ‘dabs’ later the view down to St Mary’s Loch makes the slog worthwhile. After a quality section of trail along the south shore of the loch, some hill tracks and a monster climb to the top of Birkscairn Hill, its reward time. Time for one of the all time classic descents in the south of Scotland. 6km of open hill drove road which follows a long ridge north to the edge of Peebles. After that rush there is a short but tough climb up Janets Brae into Glentress forest and a fun blast down the new blue route to the Hub and huge mugs of coffee and cake, and a bit more cake. today was totally mental and had way too much fun, I then ended up with a time penalty.
A few hours tent erecting and R&R with some bike fettling, then its the night stage at 9.00pm. The 12k uses some of the Black, Red and Blue routes plus a couple of hand-cut descents normally used for XC racing, again totally mad riding in which I crashed once and then dropped down to 8th place, ooh i'm getting tired, nearly there though. Afterwards, back to the Hub café to talk bollocks on the mad ride and the realisation that thats the final timed stage and your finishng position is in the bag. Time for another beer then, and monster day tomorrow to look forward to.
Off we go then, target today is Moffat Rugby Club, another 64km with 1200m of climbing.Again a Special stage (morning) in Mabie Forrest mid ride. Pairs teams do half the 10km timetrial today each, us solo lot have to do it all.
The woodland trails of Mabie forest are again familiar, one of the more natural 7 Stanes locations and i really enjoy them, and so was hoping to catch the 30 seconder in front of me, during the TT I was ahead and being hunted down by him. On a mental downhill bit and desperate to stay ahead I punctured, doh, that knocked me back to 12th place and all that hard work earlier undone, hey ho. After the TT at FNSS pace its only 65k to the end, the route meanders North through the Mabie forest and onto a similar backroad and cyclepath link as used on day 3. Climbing in the heat today takes its toll and all that work in the TT and for no reward, still Moffat is the eventual destination, with a smattering of singletrack, some log rides and boardwalk in Mabie and some isolated glens in the Forest of Ae before hitting Toffee town of Moffat. Ah another Rugby club bar to ease the soul , spot on, and again booked into hotel for good food and bed, its one of me new mates birthday today so guess what, BEER time again, consoling and celebrating in one easy session
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?)
This is cool another day off, no special stage which is good as the legs are sore from last nights ripper. But there's a sting as we are off to Buittle Place Farm, Castle Douglas – which is 100km away with 2000m of climbing, oeer Level back-roads from Drumlanrig to Thornhill give an easy start then East of Thornhill, picturesque roads and tracks link into The Forest of Ae and the first taste of 7stanes singletrack. Again I've raced here years ago but there's been a massive amount of work done since then. The Jockies route joins the Red graded Ae-line at about one third distance. Its fun and difficult not to get carried away on the mad berms and jumps of The Omega Man, the final descent to Ae village! But you no me......Wahay.
From here, roads and cycle path take you south to Dalbeattie with a short dip into Mabie forest to breakup the big-rig churning on the road. Just before the village of Dalbeattie, some natural forest trails by Bruntis Loch mean a final scenic finish. Actual totals today of 68 miles and pretty tough going, but some fantastic singletrack to wet the appetite, only drawback was a split tyre, still i'm lucky enough to be riding with some top lads from Manchester and having a laugh to boot, can't think of anything better, need to go and fill my face, and look forward to tomorrow's special stage on familiar ground  Hope all you Numplumers rode yourselves to death tonight in sympathy of me and my legs
Its the 2nd linking stage from Moffat to Drumlanrig Castle
55km and a sedate1600m of mountain climbing today, 6 hours allowed but restraint is needed the first special stage awaits.
A tough climb out of Moffat on the Southern Uplands Way to the summit of Hods Hill (567m) provides an unpleasant start to the day, but great views over the Lowther Hills with the weather being nice and sunny and a screaming descent down a steep trail to Daer Reservoir lifts spirits. From here, tracks and paths alongside the Daer Water and down Glen Taggart provide a back-country link to Durisdeer. Today’s camp ground is the majestic Drumlanrig Castle is not too far away across the river Nith, but a detour to the north on riverside paths adds smiles as well as mileage before our destination is reached.
Its up with the tent and down with recovery drink and food as the Late afternoon brings the opening special stage on the familiar to me Drumlanrig trails. I've done a few National 6 hour races round here so know the 10k’s of traditional rooty fun through the ancient woods of Drumlanrig Estate, this stood me well and raced round to take fourth place and only just narrowly missed out on £25 by 15 secs.
 A couple of Likely lads
Its a 9am start after a welcome night in the Selkirk Rugby club, so steady off into the approaching rain from the west . Bags are packed and loaded on the trucks that follow us for the week, mine seems to be full of Allsports powders and shorts, what else do you need. A gentle 70km opener with 2100m of climbing a lot of that from the off. The allowed stage time is 7 hours so no rush. Set off a bit too quick and weather horrible, soaked through with the feeling of it will never warm up but in good spirits, decided to slow down a bit and take some photos. then started to warm up and enjoy the ride. Think of a long day in the peaks and then the same the next day and the next day oooh! about 50 miles a day.
Heading West from Selkirk on riverside singletrack into Bowhill Estate. A mix of natural paths twin track and a 180m road climb are used to reach a rough grassy ridgeline between Ettrick and Yarrow. This undulating ridge is followed for 8 km (bloody bike carrying starts all ready Doh) before dropping down to the Berry Bush road on a sheep track.
From here tarmac and twintrack takes me uphill to the start of the Captains Road. A fast rocky descent into Ettrick Valley which is an absolutely mental downhill and starts with a short but muddy forest ride, I was going great guns or so I thought until I was overtaken by a .........GIRL, fair play to her, a local downhiller, she was smokin'. From here the Potburn Road and the Southern Upland Way provide an easy spin through the remote Ettrick hills to the campground at Moffat Rugby club. Yahoo another bar and no Race stage today, no worries. Down the pub for a pint and a walk round sky is crystal clear and blue, doesn't get dark til later in Scotland. looking forward to tomorrow and more of the above, especially the rain, doh
 In a mad way I need a rest from work so lets go somewhere where all there is to do is ride bikes eat and sleep. TransScotland that sounds like a plan.
The Jockies is based on a combination of un-timed linking stages and timed special stages – similar to a car rally if you like. So fun and photos on the linking stages, ride with fellow bikers and enjoy the day riding through some great scenery, just get there within a time limit. The racing happens on some of the 7-Stanes tracks, about an hours racing after a long days ride should be testing. Event Site link http://www.mtbtransuk.co.uk
Daily updates: Through the power of mobile phones and a willing helper (Troy) hopefully I will get some brief reports back to you lot and maybe the odd picture. Otherwise the organisers are equipped with a 3G card and will be able to send ‘almost’ live reports from the Chain Reaction Cycles TransScotland. They are aiming at giving you a daily report of the previous day’s events with results and standings and with as many photos as possible. So checkout the event website www.mtbtransuk.co.uk and click on the daily reports in the news section on the left hand side of the homepage. Alternatively you can check out the reports on www.bikemagic.com and on www.singletrackworld.co.uk. don't expect to see me up there unless its a mental downhill timetrial. Stay posted, enjoy your weekend. I'm off see ya in a few weeks.
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