TransScotland Solo Winner Tells His Tale

Five hundred kilometres of some of the most beautiful trails Scotland has to offer, back to back, every day for seven days straight. Fantastic. The guys at MTB Events Ltd did an amazing job of organizing the first ever TransScotland race.
The format was simple: seven 'Linking Stages' (to get the miles in) that would take us around a variety of natural and man made trails. And four 'Special Stages' where you could make up time on the competition. Kind of like MTB Time Trials if you like. Everybody got the same times for the Linking Stages, as long as you didn't go over the allowed time, and tried to save their legs for the 'Specials', where they could go for it.
It was a format that meant you could actually stop and take in the amazing views. Instead of having to race through the county side, staring at the wheel in front with sweat dripping off your chin. It also meant you could get to know some of the other competitors - some of which had come from places like South Africa, Hong Kong, Germany, Belgium and even sunny old England.
The first stage was a link from Selkirk to Moffat, and the scene was set almost immediately when after less than ten minutes on the road, we turned off and on to some sweet singletrack that wound it's way down through the woods and over the odd 'skinny' here and there. The smiles on every ones faces were infectious as we all realized that this was going to be a different kind of event.
After a damp night in a tent, we all packed up our kit and set off at nine o'clock. I think most people were trying to save themselves for the afternoon's Special Stage, but we pressed on to get a good camping spot, and to avoid any ques for the showers.
The first Special was to be held in the grounds of Drumlanrig Castle, and after over a hundred kilometers in our legs so far, the event was already starting to take it's toll.
I know the grounds of Drumlanrig pretty well, or at least the kind of things to expect, so I just pointed the Whyte 19 along the single track, and went for it. You had to keep your eyes peeled for arrows pointing you down the right track, as the woods have hundreds of trails crossing each other, but as long as you were careful you could follow them well.
After thirty five minutes I crossed the line fifteen seconds ahead of the closest solo, and took the win. And my Mum, who had come down from Edinburgh as my race support, was rewarded by seeing her 'wee laddie' receiving the leader's jersey (Thanks Mum).
The third day was the long one. Over one hundred kilometers, and almost all off road. Some of the trails through Ae forest were so bumpy that for the first time in ages I was wishing for a full sus. This stage was all about damage limitation, but I couldn't help nailing some of the amazing tracks on offer. I was rewarded at the end of the day by a leg massage and an early night. The miles were starting to add up.
Wednesday morning was the second Special Stage, this time in Dalbeattie. As I was seeded well, I was off at thirty seconds past nine - so no lie in for me. The track was hard packed and fast with long fire road stretches - totally different than Drumlanrig, and the sun had come out as well. A quick last minute tyre change for a pair of Razors, and I was away. Ben, the guy in second, was setting off thirty seconds behind me. But with only a fifteen second lead I knew that if he caught me, my lead was gone. I absolutely buried myself on the pedally sections and after thirty minutes or so, crossed the line with the fastest time of the day - managing to beat all the teams as well. A Whyte 19 race with a pair of Razors is a combination that's hard to beat. And as it turned out, a good tyre for the rest of the day as well: with lots of fire roads and stretches of road.
After some atrocious weather in New Abbey during the night, we awoke on Thursday morning to relatively clear skies. Once again we were racing first thing. A quick tyre change on the front for a Tubeless Fire XC, and I was once again away. The tyre choice was perfect, but my legs were really starting to feel the K's. Second place on the Special, but I kept my lead by over two minutes. After a spot of lunch we were off again to Moffat Rugby Club for another comfortable evening on their pitch.
Friday's weather was just great. Blue skies and warm winds once again had us arrive in Peebles with a tail wind. There was a bit of a panic near the end of the stage as everyone started to feel the cut off time looming, but after a quick chat to some of the local 7Stanes riders, they assured us that there wasn't far to go. Sure enough, in no time we were plummeting down the Gypsy Glen and down in to Peebles for the Special Night Time Stage at Glentress.
After pre-riding the course and fitting my Lupine light we were off. This was my first time using the Lupine, and I was blown away with just how bright it was. I had no problems seeing where I was going so just rode as I would during the day. Going into the event I had a two and a half minute lead on Ben, but was only twelve seconds down on the leading Team. I knew that even if Ben caught me all I had to do was stick on his wheel and he would never make up enough time. But instead I decided to try and catch the pair that set off in front of me. I overtook one of them after about ten minutes, but started to feel the pace on the climb to the top and he got past me again. I just went for it on the natural downhill section they had included and almost came a cropper when I lost control on some slippery roots. I composed myself and decided to just play it safe. After all: to finish first, first you have to finish. I crossed the line and had a look around for the timing board. Ben came in behind: eleven seconds up on me - but I still had the win overall by over two minutes.
The final day was all about just finishing the event. After all we still had to actually cross the line in Selkirk to complete the race. But Ben and I couldn't help leading the pack through the well practiced Black trail round Glentress. I stopped at one point to talk to my pal, Iain, who was marshaling on one of the gates near the end, and pretty much just coasted in to Selkirk with a couple of hours to spare.
This was one of the best events I've ever competed in. Thoroughly well organized, great trails and good people. After a shower and a bite to eat at the local chippie, we settled in to the evenings celebrations. Job done.
A HUGE thank you has to go to the guys at Whyte Bikes for the 19 Race and all the support. It truly was a joy to pilot the Whyte around for the whole week. The Fi'zi:k saddle kept me going with a minimum of discomfort despite the gnarly terrain and the excessive mileage. and the Panaracer tyres were perfect in their respective environments. Thank you also to my parents for all their support and encouragement, especially my Mum's endless supply of pasta.
I will definitely be competing in the Trans Wales next year.

Tony Haresign
Mountain Biking Scotland
"Get Out of the Woods!"

Barlow Wins TransScotland

The final day of the Chain Reaction Cycles TransScotland (Powered by Merida Bikes) brought Britain’s toughest mountain bike challenge full circle and home to Selkirk after seven full days in the saddle and almost 498km (310 miles) and 14,100m of climbing (46,300ft). Course designer Pete Laing brought to bear the big singletrack guns together with more open country riding and vistas, to make the final linking stage from Glentress to Selkirk one to truly savour.

The riders clipped in by The Hub café and bike shop and got on with the business of climbing upwards on a mix of singletrack and fire roads into the heart of Glentress forest to 602m. The hard work and effort of forcing reluctant legs and depleted muscles into action for the final push was more than rewarded once the summit had been crested: the trail dropped down on curvaceous singletrack, broiling downwards with an unmitigated intent to deliver a turbo-charged, endorphin shot straight to the frontal lobes that, for the smooth singletrackeers in particular, was simply seventh heaven.

Then after 21km, the riders were eventually spat out to refuel at Cardrona from where they snaked down into the Cardrona Valley and upwards once more to 400m up Wallace’s Hill. The trail dropped via the Glen Estate and onto Innerleithen’s Traquair trail, where riders steeled themselves one final time for some serious gravity gains up to 500m on the singletrack climb up Minch Moor and out onto the Southern Upland Way. A descent and 230m climb back up Broomy Law to the Southern Upland Way had to be cut out at the last minute, so the riders were left with a final chance to savour Scotland’s scenery from the back bone of the Borders before a fast skittering descent swept them finally, gratefully, and for the last time back into Selkirk to complete the course and to receive their finishers’ jerseys.

With What Mountain Bike magazine hosting the finisher party, providing copious amounts of free drink and a choice selection of good time tunes for the well deserving and saddle sore riders, the final prize presentations were made: For some, the spoils of victory, for others the commiserations of coming so far and yet so close; yet all could lay claim to a share in the proud knowledge that they had completed and survived Britain’s toughest mountain bike challenge, the Chain Reaction Cycles TransScotland (Powered by Merida Bikes).

Meggie Bichard (Extreme Endurance) took the Scottish Tourism Women’s Solo Open Category competition, whilst her male counterpart was the popular Andy Barlow (Whyte Bikes), who had a winning time of 47:13:13.

The Scottish Borders Veteran Women’s race was claimed by Julie Dinsdale ahead of Tatjana Troll. In the men’s, Rob Waller (ERC One Week Younger) clinched the title and led the thanks and praise for the organisers and support teams from the podium. The High5 Mixed Category was a runaway win for the pairing of Maddie and Jay Horton (XC Racer.com/Trek) who finished almost 20 minutes up on second placed Alice Crook and Neil Hamblin (Cakemonsters).

Elsewhere, the Gore Veteran’s Category was sewn up by Bryan Singleton and Peter Strong (Global/Torq/Buff), whilst Robert Barker and Mark Langdon (Sportstest.co.uk) took second, with the charismatic and ever playful Police Team Italia pairing of Mario Brunello and Fulvio Damian rounding out the podium in third. The winners of the Buff Female Category were the strong and fearless pairing of Julie Cartner and Renel Brennan riding for the 7Stanes. And finally, Keith Bontrager finished the event himself to claim ninth overall in the Scottish Borders Veteran’s Men’s Solo race.

Thanks to Matt Skinner of TransScotland for the words and pictures.

Tony Haresign
Mountain Biking Scotland
"Get Out of the Woods!"

Scotsman Leads The First TransScotland Mountain Bike Race

On the final day of the first ever TransScotland Mountain Bike Race (Sponsored by Chain Reacion and Meridian Bikes), from over 100 competitors, Scotsman Andy Barlow, of Wyte Bikes and MountainBikingScotland.com guest writer, is currently leading the Mens Solo Category.




The route covers an overall distance of approximately 498km (310 miles) with a cumulative total climbing tally of 14,100m (46,300ft), split over seven linking stages and four special stages, including one night time-trial, in just seven days. Beginning and ending in Selkirk, the route comes full circle via Moffat, Drumlanrig Castle, Dalbeattie, New Abbey, Moffat once more, Peebles and finally Selkirk. The special stages take place at Drumlanrig, Dalbeattie, on the New Abbey to Moffat Linking Stage, and finally at Glentress.

I spoke to him breifly last night as he prepared his bike for the next days riding.
‘How are you doing?’ I asked as the signal faded in and out.
‘I’m bleeding…….’ He said.
Oh no, hope is is Ok.. the signal came back.
‘What?’ with a hiont of concern in my voice.
‘I’m bleedin my brakes!’ he replied ‘then I’m off to bed. The signal wavered and crackled.
‘We have ridden some fantastic trails, all kinds. Road, paths, mud,roots and rocks.’ He added.
‘Some of the route has been extremly difficult, but I am enjoying it all the same. Some great views!’

So onward they go snaking their way across the Scottish Borders, a great line of athletes, hopefuls, trail riders and their entorage of trucks, tents and supplies. Probably the most picturesque of the link stages, day 6 starts with a partial retracing of steps to the source of the Ettrick near Overpawhop.
Climbing over to the Yarrow Valley on the S.U.Way will raise a ‘dab’ but the view down to St Mary’s Loch from will make the slog worthwhile. After a quality section of trail along the south shore of the loch, some hill tracks and a huge climb to the top of Birkscairn Hill, the Trans’ riders will be rewarded with 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.


Tonight is the ‘Special Night Stage’
The night stage will start at around 9.00pm. The 12k course will take in a selection of trails from the Black, Red and Blue routes plus a couple of hand-cut descents normally used for XC racing. Afterwards, The Hub café should be buzzing with stories of night-time near misses.
Knowing that Andy has riden Glentress trails for many years he must be quietly confident. I asked him.
‘We will have to see. After the night stage there is a linking stage in the morning.
I still have to make it to Selkirk!!’

MountainBikingScotland.com would like to wish Andy all the best.

Tony Haresign
Mountain Biking Scotland
"Get Out of the Woods!"