|
|
||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||
 |
 |
 |
||||||||||
| Stage breakdown
Chain Reaction Cycles TransScotland ‘07 The TransScotland is based on a combination of un-timed linking stages and timed special stages – similar to a car rally if you like. The order of the day on the linking stages is to reserve your energy, minimise the impact on your equipment and simply enjoy the day riding through some of the greatest sceneries the UK has to offer. The special stages however are the complete opposite – here speed, finesse and timing are the key to success. You will ride against the ticking clock and a simple mistake can make the difference between standing on the podium or being in front of it at the end of the day. Every stage will have a briefing beforehand where we will tell you some important details about the stage, take you through the lengths and profile as well as making you aware of some of the difficult and important points you will come across on that stage. It is also extremely important for the special stages as it might help you to settle on the order your team will ride in and it also makes you aware of difficult and dangerous parts of the course. The complete course map with profile will on display the night before. Enough chat – here the course for the Chain Reaction Cycles TransScotland ‘07. Please be aware that all details given are approximate and might change before or even during the event. Saturday 26th May 2007 Location: Rugby Club – Selkirk • Registration • Equipment check • Event bag handout • Initial briefing • Pasta party Sunday 27th May 2007 1st linking stage from Selkirk to Moffat Distance: 70km Meters of climbing: 2100m Predicted riding time: 6-7hours Route heads west from Selkirk on riverside singletrack into Bowhill Estate. A mix of natural paths, twin track and a 180m road climb are used to reach a rough grassy ridgeline between Ettrick and Yarrow. This undulating ridge is followed for 8 km (some portage likely) before dropping down to the Berry Bush road on a sheep track. From here tarmac and twintrack takes you uphill to the start of the Captains Road. A fast rocky descent into Ettrick Valley that starts with a short but muddy forest ride. From here the Potburn Road and the Southern Upland Way provide an easy spin through the remote Ettrick hills to Moffat. Monday 28th May 2007 2nd linking stage from Moffat to Drumlanrig Castle Distance: 55km Meters of climbing: 1600m Predicted riding time: 5-6hours --- followed by --- 1st special stage on natural rooty trails in Drumlanrig Wood Type: relay or team time trail - TBC Distance: 10km Meters of climbing: 250m A tough climb out of Moffat on the S.U.Way to the summit of Hods Hill (567m) provides an unpleasant start to the day, but great views over the Lowther Hills and a screaming descent down a steep trail to Daer Reservoir should lift spirits. From here, tracks and paths alongside the Daer Water and down Glen Taggart provide a back-country link to Durisdeer. Today’s stop-over point, the majestic Drumlanrig Castle is not too far away across the river Nith, but a detour to the north on riverside paths will add smiles as well as mileage before our destination is reached. The late afternoon special stage showcases local bike shop owner and trailbuilder Rik Allsop’s own brand of natural woodsy singletrack. 10k’s of traditional rooty fun through the ancient woods of Drumlanrig Estate will allow those with old-school trail skills to shine, especially if it rains! Tuesday 29th May 2007 3rd linking stage from Drumlanrig to Dalbeattie Distance: 85km Meters of climbing: 1650m Predicted riding time: 7-8hours Level back-roads from Drumlanrig to Thornhill give an easy start to Day3, the first biggie of the week. East of Thornhill, picturesque roads and tracks link into The Forest of Ae and the first taste of 7stanes singletrack. The Trans-Scotland route joins the Red graded Ae-line at about one third distance. Enjoy the swoopy contour trails but for goodness sake be careful on the mad berms and jumps of The Omega Man, the final descent to Ae village! From here, roads and cycle path take you south to Dalbeattie with a short dip into Mabie forest to breakup the big-rig churning. Just before the village of Dalbeattie, some natural forest trails by Bruntis Loch remind you that you are competing in a mountainbike event not the Tour de France. Wednesday 30th May 2007 2nd special stage on built and natural trails in Dalbeattie Forest Type: team time trail – both team riders start together and both have to finish the complete course – both times will be added together to get team time Distance: 15km Meters of climbing: 800m --- followed by --- 4th linking stage from Dalbeattie Forest to New Abbey Distance: 46km Meters of climbing: 1200m Predicted riding time: 4-5hours Dalbeattie is the most westerly of the 7stanes centres to be visited in this version of the Trans-Scotland. Tricky singletrack with sections built from rounded granite boulders, short but tough climbs, good use of the exposed bedrock and some scary-steep descents give the Dalbeattie trails a unique character. The tough 15km time trial will be won by a fearless power-climber with top drawer bike handling skills. An hour plus of flat-out riding will leave most riders pretty shelled, so the stage to Mabie Forest and on to the stop-over at New abbey village, is the shortest link of the week. Some choice singletrack will be included nevertheless with some secret trail provided by your host for the evening, local mtb legend Clive Forth of the Criffel Inn. Thursday 31st May 2007 5th linking stage from New Abbey to Moffat combined with 3rd special stage at Mabie Visitor Centre Distance: 65km (linking stage) Meters of climbing: 1450m (linking stage) Predicted riding time: 5-6hours (linking stage) --- within that --- Type: time trial – 1st rider does the first half 2nd rider takes over and finishes the loop – fastest time counts (solo rider ride the whole loop uninterrupted) Distance: 10km (special stage) Meters of climbing: 300m (special stage) Assuming that you are not hung-over from mtb friendly pints at the Criffel Inn, Day 5 will deliver an enjoyable blast round the woodland trails of Mabie forest. After the morning time trial which will force the ‘pairs’ to decide who is the best climber and who is the fastest descender (best discussed in the pub the previous night) the route will meander north through the forest and onto a similar backroad and cyclepath link as used on day 3. Moffat is the eventual destination, but expect a smattering of singletrack, some log rides and boardwalk in Mabie and some isolated glens in the Forest of Ae before you get the chance to buy a bag of Moffat Toffee. Friday 1st June 2007 6th linking stage from Moffat to Peebles Distance: 62km Meters of climbing: 2000m Predicted riding time: 5-6hours --- followed by --- 4th special stage on built and natural trails in Glentress Forest Type: NiteRider night time trial – both team riders start together and both have to finish the complete course – both times will be added together to get team time Distance: 10km Meters of climbing: 400m 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. After a few hours for R&R and bike fettling, 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! Saturday 2nd June 2007 7th and final linking stage from Peebles to Selkirk Distance: 70km Meters of climbing: 2350m Predicted riding time: 6-7hours • Finisher Party • Final prize presentation • Well deserved rest! The final day is a bit if a singletrack fest. Starting with a big ‘mix and match’ loop round Glentress, the route drops down to river level from Dunslair Heights on steep and difficult trails, crosses over the valley into Cardrona Forest and heads for Traquair via the Glen Estate. The Traquair XC route provides a well known singletrack climb to the top of Minch Moor and from there, the S.U.Way takes the Trans’ riders east towards Selkirk. There will be a few choice diversions on the way though, with some fresh singletrack in the Yarrow Valley or the odd ‘Merida’ favourite packing in the action before the traditional descent into Selkirk from the 3Bretheren. Overall distance: 498km (approx 310miles) Overall climbing: 14100m (approx 46300feet) Well done and congratulations to finishing the Chain Reaction Cycles TransScotland 2007. The official part of the events is coming to a close with the final prize presentation and releasing of the final results. After that the finisher party will get going and going by last years TransWales party will carry on into the morning. We hope that everybody is going to stay to enjoy the party and the well deserved rest after this tough week. Obviously the camp ground is going to stay open till Sunday and everybody is welcome to camp from Saturday to Sunday. Hopefully this breakdown will give you a better idea of what you are letting yourself in for and will hopefully also help to plan the event a little bit better. Please be aware that the course is only provisional at this stage and is subject to change. |
||||||||||||
| The Chain Reaction Cycles TransScotland is supported by: |
||||||||||||
