JEALOUSY! Wish I was there in bonny Scotland, but then again I probably wouldn't have made it back without a trip to the hospital. (If they have them up there yet)
Keep me posted on the April trip, and I'll look forward to seeing footage on the DVD.

Glentress weekender: my report...

Fresh back from 4 days at the UK's premier riding location and I thought I'd write up a little diary for those of you that missed out on all the fun!

Friday 12th August
Well we set off at the crack of dawn (for a day off!) at 9am in Jeff's white P-reg 1.9 NON TURBO diesel van and made slow but steady progress to the M6. After being ass-raped for diesel (over £55 to fill her up) we slogged up the M6 towards the border. Never ceased to be amazed at the distance beyond Gretna that we have to go! For future reference a 1.9 Transit will not go faster then 80mph AT ALL. Thats it - its terminal velocity. I reckon if you dropped it from a plane you'd struggle to get upto 82mph.

Arrived in Peebles about 1.30ish - good going after a short stop on the motorway - and headed straight to Glentress. After a cheeky abandoning of the van outside the Hub shop for filling theCamelbaks we drove up the the top car park for the first ride of the weekend.
After a moments deliberation, well not even that really! we decided on the red route so after a quick unloading off Scott and I went on what many describe as being the best man-made trail in the country. I think both Mr Warnock and myself would whole heartedly agree! Its a bitch of a climb to the top (not as bad as Innerleithen - more of that later) but the infamous Spooky Woods descent is amazing. To quote Scott "I'd pay for that before I'd pay for sex". Full of berms, jumps, rock steps and more it is just full on, fast and scarily fun. Onwards and few more classic singletrack descents we made it back in one piece.

Heading off to Somerfield (more lesbians there then last time I'm sure) we stocked up on the essentials - pies and Ribena! Shock horror they had run out of Scotch Eggs - mind you that was probably a good thing as the tent smelt bad enough in the morning anyway.
The campsite - Rosetta - where Scott had stayed as a 'wee-lad' was well situated with a short stroll to town, good views and decent facilities (showers, pool and TV rooms plus its own bar!). First night we went for the firm favourite from last March and a burger from the Niedpath Inn - quality food at bargain prices - the burger is AWESOME. Then on for a couple of beers at our other favourite - the County Inn. Quality pub - shame about the music!

Saturday 13th August
Woken to the sound of drizzle - nice - and not much sleep sharing a double air bed mattress with Mr Warnock - but the all day breakfast sandwiches from Somerfield sorted us out. Off to Innerleithen to ride the newly finished Traquair XC loop.

Getting their was a problem as its not sign posted from the town but we did find it fairly easily. The carpark was buzzing with DHers on the uplift day - the famous Red Bull project DH was finished earlier in the year and is apparently awesome. Unfortunately we ran out of time and money to try these later in the weekend.

After a quick scout about we started the loop - and it starts with a killer climb. After about an hour of slogging up single and double track you get to a traverse of the mountain which is fun but pedally. Then the more bermy quarry which was a lot of fun. From there is the monster climb upto the high point (550m from the start) at Mynch moor. What a view from here. The singletrack descent started poorly but got quick once in the tree line. After some 'enduro' (read easy but deadly fast) singletrack descents we were caught in a bit of a down pour on the first 'black' section of the loop. Oh well. To be honest in the dry it would have been totally rideable but in the wet it was slow and dull. Didn't think we could get any wetter but we did as the heavens opened between there and the final downhill - Caddon Bank.
This is apparently a XC decent built by a DHer - therefore it has massive rock steps - too wet and scary to ride on our visit - and ace bombhole whoops. A lot of fun. Unfortunately for Scott this was also the scene of his first BIG crash - he took a dodgy line down one of the drops and came off hard carving a few gouges in his arm and ripping his shorts. Lucky we carry a first aid kit as I patched him up for the rest of the descent but that put pay to plans for more riding that day.

After a quick kip at the campsite and another meal in the Niedpath Inn we waited at the campsite for Chris to arrive, before having a few beers in the on-site bar.

Sunday 14th August
Another morning of drizzle but it dried quickly - and more All-day breakfast sandwiches.

Back to Glentress where the three of us met 2 of Scott's mates - another Scott and Kahl. No discussion this time - definitely the red route again! This time around we did Spooky Woods twice. The second time down was the quickest I've ever ridden and the flying Scotsman was really flying down the jumps.Following into the fast flowing singletrack Scott had his second big accident of the weekend - a very fast crash sent him down hard - he travelled at least 5m further then his bike - and this time damaged his other elbow. Completely covered himself in mud too! Not looking good we patched it up again but he promised he'd go easy - yeah right! We enjoyed the rest of the ride and then onto the Hub cafe for some grub! What a vibe that place had - the sun came out and it was rammed with all sorts of riders all enjoying top quality food!

After a quick scrub up at the campsite we moved onto town and had a curry at the Prince of India - Peeble's finest Indian restaurant. Chris and Scott both sweated it out over Balti Tandoori Chicken and Lamb respectively - props to them - however I pussyed out with a nice flavoursome but mild Tikka-masallam. Then onto the County Inn again for more Tennants and reminiscing about the days riding. Good chat. Also good crack with the bar staff over the quality of the music. Why isn't there a place like that in Macclesfield!

Monday 15th August
After a solid nights sleep and a couple of trips to the bathroom we were ready for another days riding - well perhaps not day - 60 odd kms under the belt already were taking their tole.

Red route again and we were underway by 10ish. The weather was find and we made Spooky Woods in good time. First ride down was interspersed with filming for the annual DVD - got some great footage. Back up for an uninterupted second go and Scott's last big crash as he took the second of top rock jumps slightly to wide and took it hard. Only a little graze this time but still spitting mud. The rest of the ride was uneventful but in the drying conditions both Scott and Chris were a little uneasy on the loose surfaces of the lower singletrack.

After a bite to eat at the Hub and getting raped again for diesel we headed for home, tired but happy with enough memories to last until next time - anyone for April 2006!?


Recommendations and contacts:
Campsite:
Rosetta Caravan Park - www.rosettacaravanpark.co.uk 01721 720770. Bargain at £6 per person per night.
Food:
Niedpath Inn - www.neidpath.co.uk The best burgers in Peebles.Prince Of India - www.princeofindiarestuarant.co.uk 01721 724455. Awesome currys and Cobra by the pint!
Drink:
The County Inn on the high street - good beer and good chat.

Well I've gone now... six weeks with no work. Great!
Wednesday was a good send off. Felt good on the bike, so definately made the most of it. I'll be looking forward to raising my skills to the kerb riding with a treat of a step or two coming up in the next year. It does appear that Cambridge just won't be made for mountain biking.
See you all in June...

I thought we had a very rapid evening, the pace was kept up by all. Charity Lane was eaten alive, and everyone was getting pretty impressive track times on the last run. Really enjoyed my new bike, although the phone calls from the letting agency asking why i have no money to pay rent itsn't so cool.
Well looking forward to the next ride.....

Yep cheers lads had a good time, and i thought bikes were just for children. Only the third time out on the bike and no major pain involved. Nothing as embarrasing as putting on the helmet backward in the shop or going over the handlebars twice in the first 20mins of riding by pulling the front break instead of the back one, (second time involved a rather fast fall down a rather steep hill, thus I learnt quickly, always more on the back break grimes!)

Looking forward to some more fun and games over my remaining weeks.

Cool well it was James's last ride with us tonight and he went out with some style - blistering pace up their with Mr Warnock all night - god knows what would happen if you gave those two full-sussers!

Charity Lane took a beating - both Ben and I enjoying the new bikes. Ian joined us and had fun - personally I think he progressed very quickly and props for riding having not ridden since his paper-round!

To quote Ben "Its a lot stiffer when its up then when its down".

Glentress on Friday. To quote Mr Warnock "Take me home"!!!

So I'm in Chester updating this on dial-up - god I'd forgotten how slow it is! Another ride next wednesday - officially James M's last ride of the summer. Then Glentress... TAKE ME HOME!