Sore Legs and Autumn Leaves

Casting my mind back to this time last year, saw a trek down to Glentress, with three 'Tress Virgins'
Wet! Wet and more Wet (no singing!) with some puddles, slippy roots and soggy leaves thrown in.
It was a reaction that you would expect even from the most fool-hardy cyclist..
..Are we mad?
Maybe, but it was a different reaction as we returned soaked and grinning ear to ear.
Everyone wishing the light would last a little longer and we had an inexhaustible supply of dry cycling gear.
Alas, no! Cakes, coffee and bacon rolls rounded it off.
"We will be back" they said, with a hint of Schwarzenegger about them.
Well I think it is time to make the call, for a return trip.
The weather seems just right....
...where is the phone..
Tony HaresignMountain Biking Scotland"Get Out of the Woods!"

Some fun in Falkland

We went back to visit the 'GAP' yesterday...still as large as ever..
Did I have a go?
No way..to many Direct Debits!!!
Here is another clip just to remind you.

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

West Highland Way Double Attempt- CRAZY!!!???

UK endurance mountain biker, and Team Syncros Endurance Team Manager, Rob Lee has announced that he will attempt to ride the full length, and back again, of the West Highland Way later this week. The West Highland Way is Scotland’s premier long distance route and runs from Milngavie, on the outskirts of Glasgow, to Fort William which sits at the foot of Ben Nevis. The route itself is 96 miles (154km) and so Rob will undertaking a journey of some 192 miles (308km) through some of the most scenic off road wilderness in the UK.

No stranger to such undertaking Rob was the first rider to take the South Downs Double record without a support crew, back in 2008, and has ridden a double version of the Pennine Bridleway, and linked all of the 7Stanes Red Routes, in his following rides, as part of his Seven Deadly Spins project.

This ride will be the sixth ride of that series and looks likely to be the hardest one yet. Having recently returned from filming and reconnaissance rides of the route Rob had this to say about the upcoming challenge:

“The route is really special, it goes through some amazing countryside and covers some really tough trails. I particularly like the way that it regularly changes and throws up so many variables that kit and bike choice are a really serious consideration. Looking back on the other rides I’ve done of this type this one is by far the toughest. The distance is no higher but the terrain itself is much harder to pass over at any great speed. I’m in fantastic shape at the moment, having worked very hard with my coach over the Winter, but even so I think this challenge is going to take about 32 hours to complete. This time I’m going to go supported; it makes sense really as we are producing a film about endurance mountainbiking so there will be a crew following me. I think this ride is hard enough as it stands so why make it harder? Whatever happens it’s going to make for some very interesting viewing. The scenery is so good and Mark (from film production company Reset Films) has a real eye for capturing visually stunning, and inspirational footage for the movies he makes”

This season Rob is working on a joint project with Mark from Reset Films – the makers of acclaimed mountainbike move ‘Home’ – to produce a new film that captures the spirit of the ultra-endurance adventures these riders undertake. The crew will be following Rob on this ride and gaining footage from trail, air and water as they search for the best vantage point.

The ride is scheduled to start at 11am on Friday this week (the 16th) from the southern end of the trail and Rob hopes to be finished some time before midnight on Saturday! As with all his challenge rides online viewers will be able to track his progress from the live tracker page, on his blog site, as well as following live updates via Twitter.

Tracker Page: http://roblee7ds.blogspot.com/p/live-event-tracker.html
Live on-the-ride Twitter updates: @RobLee7ds

West Highland Way Double trailer from ResetFilms.co.uk on Vimeo.
Tony Haresign
Mountain Biking Scotland
"Get Out of the Woods!"

UCI Mountain Bike World Cup 2010 in Fort William, Scotland

Downhill mountain biking’s most successful competitor and reigning World Champion Steve Peat rolled into Scotland today (Monday 22nd March) to mark the official launch of the UCI Fort William Mountain Bike World Cup 2010.

Sheffield-born Steve stopped off north of the border to show off the world-class skills that have led to him being crowned the most successful Downhill competitor ever, (with more than 50 podium results in World Cups and World Championships) and helped to kick-off ticket sales for the 9th annual World Cup.

He and hundreds of other professional mountain bikers will return to the scenic Scottish Highlands on 5 – 6th June 2010, for the multi award-winning event – an adrenaline-packed weekend of world-class Downhill and 4-Cross action which this year features a new Downhill Rock & Roll theme.

As he prepares to head off around the globe on the competitive mountain bike circuit, Steve said he can’t wait to get back to Fort William: “Scotland has some of the best biking terrain in the world, and there’s a real enthusiasm for the sport here which always makes for a brilliant atmosphere. It always helps to have a vocal UK crowd – especially when I’m going to be defending my title!”

Last year’s event attracted more than 18,500 fans to Fort William, and generated an estimated £2.5 million* for the local economy.

Mike Jardine of organisers Rare Management said the World Cup is much more than a sporting event: “Steve’s such a hero in the mountain biking community we’re sure the crowds will be even bigger as they come to cheer him on as reigning World Champion. It’s all shaping up for a really entertaining and exciting two days, both for fans of the sport and those who’re simply after an action-packed day out or weekend away.”

Tickets for the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup are now on sale at the new look event website www.fortwilliamworldcup.co.uk where event-goers can also find out more about this year’s programme, tickets, the course and competitors as well as travelling to the event and accommodation in the local area.

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

In The Dark Forest Of Falkland

After dusting off the cobwebs we took a trip up to Falkland to have a spin and a look at the Freeride/Downhill sections that are part of the local downhill club.
Here is a clip of the Gap Jump.

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