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!"

Fort William SXC Round 3

Post event is possibly the worst I have felt later in the week for a long time. Maybe it was the course, maybe it was the food or maybe I did actually push myself for once.... but I didn't do this.....

OWCH!!

I hope he is OK..he did get up and ride on...

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

The Cool-ist Rider at Dalbeattie

The pic is of Elite Mens rider Paul McInally for East Kilbride who finished in 10th place, but in 1st place for style!!

Read all about the race of an Elite Rider, Andy Barlow, Whyte Bikes Team Rider and guest writer for MountainBikingScotland.com here.



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

Dalbeattie SXC - The thirst

The SXC Round 2 at Dalbeattie was a fantastic weekend. I have ridden in previous years in the 'fun' catergory I was looking forward to a clear and hot day on Sunday for the race. I arrived on Saturday afternoon in time to go for a quick loop around the course. After the first 5 minutes of smiling riding the boardwalk section it was head down for the 2k singletrack climb....sweaty nightmare!!!

Having succesfully negotiated the steep on-the-shoulder-carry-section in was mostly downhill, some very steep and gnarly with a few drops, one large one in particular that I managed to avoid, many didn't. Watch ou for the chain ring on a few bits or jump them.There was plenty of time to enjoy the hard work of the 'Trail Faries' at the end of the course on the built up sections which included the infamous Log Ride,avoiding the deep mud, which I managed to clean twice!!

During the race on Sunday I ran out of water 10 minutes into the second lap and was dying for a drink but just had to keep going. I treated myself to two cups of sweet, milky tea and a double bacon roll to make up for it.

All in all a great course and a fun filled weekend, including staying in a great B&B 2 miles north of Dumfries called South Park House, who have given us a great deal for all Mountain Biking Scotland members. Watch out for the offer in the forthcoming newsletter. Not a member?? Sign up now here!

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

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