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Well I've got time to type some stuff now I'm in a fancy hotel in Solihull now (don't ask!).
I must admit I was quite worried about this ride, as I know when it's bad weather up there it can be really miserable. Added to the significant climb on the posted route profile this got me a bit nervous.
Stayed in a lovely hotel in Selkirk on Friday after giving out some Eat My Dirt Ninja Bike Cleaner ever ytime I stopped on the way up and saw someone with a bike on their car.... Raining all the way up, very hard too. Anyway, thought the morning would be better as forecast........
The decor in the Scots hotel was what I was expecting (frilly!) so that made me happy.
It wasn't.... raining when I got up. With a slightly heavy heart I got ready and had brekkie.
I set off and stopped off at the excellent Alpine Bikes in Inners and bought some waterproof shorts. It was warm but still quite wet at this point.
Turned up to the car park and met Geoff - I'd been looking forward to seeing his Cleland - I always thought "it must be different for a reason!". Thoroughly nice chap... but more later......
Lots of people turned up and I gave away more of the bike cleaner and stickers, which everyone loves, even the modern guys...... ;-)
Weather seemed to be clearing up as we set off into the forest. I have been here before so I knew the climb was a bit of a beast and it proved to be again, with short flat breaks to give us all a bit of rest. There was no mistaking we were going up a bloomin' huge hill though.
I stuck with Geoff and chatted about his bike. He was having a bit of difficulty with his breathing (smoking too much was his excuse but I hope I'm still riding at 63!!) so we walked up a bit together. He let me ride his bike up one of the steep bits and I have to say after 1 pedal turn I could see what is was all about. The unbelievable grip, smoothness and just plain ease of riding was astonishing. More later......
Geoff let me ride his bike quite a bit and I think he thought I'd pinched it as I went off on my own a fair distance while he pushed my bike - sorry Geoff, but it was your own fault for designing such an awesome addictive machine!!
Soon caught up with the others, fixing stuff...
It was such a relief to come out in the sun. The ride in the forest was so damp and sweaty it felt like I was riding in a cave - weird. The sun on our backs was very welcome - plus a tailwind!! I didn't enjoy the tailwind as much as I should as I was concerned that it would be a nightmare headwind on the way back.
When I rode the Cleland I wasn't sure about it downhill, but Geoff soon showed it was excellent there too as he shot away from me like a bullet on the first slippery muddy rocky downhill. I just couldn't believe it. he just made it look so easy while I was slip-sliding away..... :shock:
Lovely views....
My bike felt ace on the downhills unlike the Dales ride, helped by the rather controversial Bullet Bros chain tensioner....
So up hill and down dale, the climbs weren't too bad and there was some cracking descents, very retro friendly and not nearly as rocky as had been threatened. I felt ok but near the 3 Brethren my knee started hurting which got me worried.
Where did this mans poo lie? No one knew, it made riding quite fearful at one point...
It was quite muddy in places but never enough to be an issue..... Dave did get quite dirty though...
Climb up to 3 Brethren - most people seemed to walk!!
Anyway at the 3 Brethren we all sat down for lunch in short sleeves - it was nice and warm and only a bit windy. I know it's August so we muight expect good weather but I think we were blessed with an amazing day yet again for a National ride. Especially as the weather has been so changeable recently.
Lunch lightened the backpack somewhat and we remounted for the return journey. The headwind didn't seem to be there, in fact we seemed to have a bit of a tailwind if anything which was very surprising, but very welcome!
I headed out in front at most of the stops so I could walk up the hills. My knee was ok downhill but uphill it was quite painful. I had taken some co-codamol but it wasn't working too well, apart from making me a little giddy... :shock: So sorry I went out on my own guys but it worked for me.....
Anyway the return trip seemed much easier than I had feared and it seemed to be quicker on the way back, reaching the red run at Inners quite quickly I thought.
I was looking forward to this as the only other time I've been here I broke my seatpost near the top and it ruined the whole descent. The top half this time was a real treat, fast, swoopy, some sweet drop off and jumps too. Surprisingly retro friendly too, just a few rock gardens and oddly placed rocks (that never look natural, can you hear me trail designers??). I hit one so hard at one point I thought I had cracked my frame so I had to check it over at one point. Thankfully no damage though..
BANG fsssst - crap!! Impact puncture on the front.... Quick change and off we go again. Track was getting steeped and more technical in places, but still loads of fun.
BANG fsssst - crap!! Noooooo! No more tubes but John gave me one of his. Unfortunately this appeared to have a leak and wouldn't pump up. I had been crippled and had to walk down for 20 minutes, missing some of the best bits :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:
Thankfully I got another tube and did the last few hundred metres, and gladly arrived back at the car. Phew!
I couldn't have much of the Sweetheart Stout but had a sip and it was surprisingly nice. Pack the car up, chat a bit more (I missed the awards somehow, when did that happen???). Said my goodbyes and left for the 210 mile drive home, back in time for that last hour of Saturday......
A great ride, those who didn't make the effort to come, or just couldn't make it should try harder next time as you really missed out. I might make a longer trip of it next time to ride more of the area, but coming up for 1 day was worth it anyway.
Thanks all!!
(I'll do a review of the Cleland ride later)
Will add more pics when I upload them..
I must admit I was quite worried about this ride, as I know when it's bad weather up there it can be really miserable. Added to the significant climb on the posted route profile this got me a bit nervous.
Stayed in a lovely hotel in Selkirk on Friday after giving out some Eat My Dirt Ninja Bike Cleaner ever ytime I stopped on the way up and saw someone with a bike on their car.... Raining all the way up, very hard too. Anyway, thought the morning would be better as forecast........
The decor in the Scots hotel was what I was expecting (frilly!) so that made me happy.
It wasn't.... raining when I got up. With a slightly heavy heart I got ready and had brekkie.
I set off and stopped off at the excellent Alpine Bikes in Inners and bought some waterproof shorts. It was warm but still quite wet at this point.
Turned up to the car park and met Geoff - I'd been looking forward to seeing his Cleland - I always thought "it must be different for a reason!". Thoroughly nice chap... but more later......
Lots of people turned up and I gave away more of the bike cleaner and stickers, which everyone loves, even the modern guys...... ;-)
Weather seemed to be clearing up as we set off into the forest. I have been here before so I knew the climb was a bit of a beast and it proved to be again, with short flat breaks to give us all a bit of rest. There was no mistaking we were going up a bloomin' huge hill though.
I stuck with Geoff and chatted about his bike. He was having a bit of difficulty with his breathing (smoking too much was his excuse but I hope I'm still riding at 63!!) so we walked up a bit together. He let me ride his bike up one of the steep bits and I have to say after 1 pedal turn I could see what is was all about. The unbelievable grip, smoothness and just plain ease of riding was astonishing. More later......
Geoff let me ride his bike quite a bit and I think he thought I'd pinched it as I went off on my own a fair distance while he pushed my bike - sorry Geoff, but it was your own fault for designing such an awesome addictive machine!!
Soon caught up with the others, fixing stuff...
It was such a relief to come out in the sun. The ride in the forest was so damp and sweaty it felt like I was riding in a cave - weird. The sun on our backs was very welcome - plus a tailwind!! I didn't enjoy the tailwind as much as I should as I was concerned that it would be a nightmare headwind on the way back.
When I rode the Cleland I wasn't sure about it downhill, but Geoff soon showed it was excellent there too as he shot away from me like a bullet on the first slippery muddy rocky downhill. I just couldn't believe it. he just made it look so easy while I was slip-sliding away..... :shock:
Lovely views....
My bike felt ace on the downhills unlike the Dales ride, helped by the rather controversial Bullet Bros chain tensioner....
So up hill and down dale, the climbs weren't too bad and there was some cracking descents, very retro friendly and not nearly as rocky as had been threatened. I felt ok but near the 3 Brethren my knee started hurting which got me worried.
Where did this mans poo lie? No one knew, it made riding quite fearful at one point...
It was quite muddy in places but never enough to be an issue..... Dave did get quite dirty though...
Climb up to 3 Brethren - most people seemed to walk!!
Anyway at the 3 Brethren we all sat down for lunch in short sleeves - it was nice and warm and only a bit windy. I know it's August so we muight expect good weather but I think we were blessed with an amazing day yet again for a National ride. Especially as the weather has been so changeable recently.
Lunch lightened the backpack somewhat and we remounted for the return journey. The headwind didn't seem to be there, in fact we seemed to have a bit of a tailwind if anything which was very surprising, but very welcome!
I headed out in front at most of the stops so I could walk up the hills. My knee was ok downhill but uphill it was quite painful. I had taken some co-codamol but it wasn't working too well, apart from making me a little giddy... :shock:
So sorry I went out on my own guys but it worked for me.....
Anyway the return trip seemed much easier than I had feared and it seemed to be quicker on the way back, reaching the red run at Inners quite quickly I thought.
I was looking forward to this as the only other time I've been here I broke my seatpost near the top and it ruined the whole descent. The top half this time was a real treat, fast, swoopy, some sweet drop off and jumps too. Surprisingly retro friendly too, just a few rock gardens and oddly placed rocks (that never look natural, can you hear me trail designers??). I hit one so hard at one point I thought I had cracked my frame so I had to check it over at one point. Thankfully no damage though..
BANG fsssst - crap!! Impact puncture on the front.... Quick change and off we go again. Track was getting steeped and more technical in places, but still loads of fun.
BANG fsssst - crap!! Noooooo! No more tubes but John gave me one of his. Unfortunately this appeared to have a leak and wouldn't pump up. I had been crippled and had to walk down for 20 minutes, missing some of the best bits :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:
Thankfully I got another tube and did the last few hundred metres, and gladly arrived back at the car. Phew!
I couldn't have much of the Sweetheart Stout but had a sip and it was surprisingly nice. Pack the car up, chat a bit more (I missed the awards somehow, when did that happen???). Said my goodbyes and left for the 210 mile drive home, back in time for that last hour of Saturday......
A great ride, those who didn't make the effort to come, or just couldn't make it should try harder next time as you really missed out. I might make a longer trip of it next time to ride more of the area, but coming up for 1 day was worth it anyway.
Thanks all!!
(I'll do a review of the Cleland ride later)
Will add more pics when I upload them..
