SXC Mountain Bike Race Series - Round 1 - Laggan

After a long drive up to Kingussie late on the Friday night I managed to get a good sleep in the Tipsy Laird Bothy.
After turning up on the Saturday, checking out the superbly stocked cafe and the bike shop, I took two loops around the course, which had a few small puddles but all the rocks seemed fairly dry.
Somehow I managed to miss the 'natural' section, which came as a great suprise when I hit it on the first lap. Total mudfest!! See the videos.

**SIGN UP NOW for you free 2 Day Scottish Epic Route to download NOW**

The Saturday night was a little different. There was a live band playing in the Tipsy Laird Pub (right next to the Tipsy Laird Bothy) which finished at about 12.30 and a group of women arguing and shouting until about 1.15am. Eventually got to sleep at about 1.30am!!
As the sun came up and started to melt the frost on Sunday morning I loaded up my Orange Sub 3 mountain bike onto the car and put on my 'bonnett' and headed from my bunk house down to the first Scottish Cross Counry (XC) Race at Laggan.
There was a great turn out. New model of 'this' and improved versions of 'that', new cycling tops, shorter racing carbon bars and squeaky clean mountain bikes. As a seasoned entrant in the 'fun' section I was well prepared to take on the all comers... by making sure I had loaded with carbs by having a Chinese take away the night before and was ready for some FUN!!
The sun warmer everyone in time for the start of the races at 11 am. The Juniors race was well attended as was the Fun with 20+ entrants. Then it wa time for the 'serious' mountain bikers of the XC world to come out to play, after the Vets and Grad Vets had done their blinding segment of trail. The Elite men stepped up to the line.........

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

New SXC Season Begins

Well I am looking forward to the first SXC Mountain Bike Race, at Laggan Wolftrax Mountain Bike Centre, on Sunday.
I normally do the Fun Race, 2 laps is normally enough to warrant a 'bacon buttie' and a 'cup-0-tea'. I have been doing a small amount of training and keeping up the commute speeds to add some extra zip to my legs.
As ever there will be the usual shouts in my ear of 'rider' as one of the more elite riders pass by, but I just enjoy the event and the atmosphere, leaving me trembling in their wake.
You should be able to read a report of the event along with some photos of the hard riders and mud covered mountain bikes.
PS. Look out for the Mountain Biking Scotland FLYERS at the event.
Tony Haresign
Mountain Biking Scotland
"Get Out of the Woods!"

Relentless 24

Andy Barlow racing earlier in the year in the Scottish XC series

Here are the results from this weekends Relentless 24 event at Fort William, Scotland...
RESULTS

Well done Andy Barlow (of The Bike Chain - Edinburgh)and Team for winning the Quads and getting the fastest lap of the event!!

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

A Sunday ride - On a Monday??!!**+??

I was joined by my little brother for a quick Sunday Loop around the Pentlands in Edinburgh on Monday, which ended up at the Flotterstone Inn, as that is where we started from. Lovley sunny day and not too many sheep, but a word of warning......
...The Pub in question will not alow you to buy a bowl/plate of chips on their own...how weird.
But my bro being the smart arse that he is requested a portion of onion ring which seems to be ok alongside a plate of chips.
One great thing in their favour is the fact that they do serve these with REAL Heinz tomato ketchup!! mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Oh and they sell beer!! :-)

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

Ae Forest - 7Stanes

Do you feel ok, Ae??
Look at the above picture. Does it smack you as someone who is taking 'pleasure' from the delights of mountain biking or does it look like the face of a man wishing he was sat in the cafe, drinking lattes and eating cakes???
Well he took two good crashes and three (3) punctures and sweated buckets...did he enjoy it? I think in a strange way (like we all do) he did, but you can read more about this right from the horses mouth when he sends me his article and we publish it on the website at Mountain Biking Scotland (www.mountain-biking-scotland.com) which should be up and running in the next few week.
Cheers :-)

ps. I had a great time!!! :-)

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