|
|
Post by hodgy on Jul 3, 2015 18:59:31 GMT
No ride this weekend ..but how's about a ride in Colin country next weekend ..you had some new trails to show us if I'm not mistaken ...
I'm keen to get a ride next Saturday before going on me jolly holidays the week after ..if not here how about a Pentlands ride ?
|
|
|
|
Post by glynnsixo on Jul 3, 2015 19:05:11 GMT
oh its my weekend off...so I cant ride...does that make sense?
|
|
|
|
Post by hodgy on Jul 3, 2015 19:13:43 GMT
Probably ..maybe has something to do with " home " duties ?
|
|
|
|
Post by glynnsixo on Jul 3, 2015 19:22:18 GMT
Probably ..maybe has something to do with " home " duties ? correct!  |
|
|
|
Post by hodgy on Jul 6, 2015 10:49:15 GMT
Change of location !
Now the 3 Bretheren & The Minch Moor Road ..as voted for by Dave , Jean & Colin ..me also as this is one of my favourite rides .
It's a re-run of the route which we did last September and starts at Yarrowford ..meeting at 10.00am .
Just to recap ..there is quite a horrendous climb out of Broadmeadows to start .. but this is over fairly soon before the gradient levels out and although still climbing to the 3 Bretheren it's a lot more manageable ...then we traverse the SUW from East to West ..before diverting off to climb to the top of Minch Moor itself on the man made trail !
Lunch at the top before dropping back down on to the SUW and retracing our route to the Minch Moor Road .....for one of the best flyers around ..back down to Yarrowford .
I have done this route starting from Innerleithen and also Traquair and this is by far and away the best way to tackle it ..for the sheer quality of the descents .
Anyone wish to join us ?
Graham could well be missing for this while his bruised chest / rib cage is healing
|
|
|
|
Post by Chopper on Jul 6, 2015 11:53:17 GMT
Ah if only it was a different weekend, im awaaaaaaayyy north at Golspie
|
|
|
|
Post by hodgy on Jul 6, 2015 15:56:22 GMT
Enjoy it Kev ...I've heard a lot of good things about that place without ever having been near enough to visit ..
One day hopefully ...
|
|
|
|
Post by Chopper on Jul 6, 2015 17:08:43 GMT
Enjoy it Kev ...I've heard a lot of good things about that place without ever having been near enough to visit .. One day hopefully ... Ive been twice before hodgy and aye it's pretty darn good, if you can do "The Lactic Ladder" in a one'r yer doin good, a wee leg burner ....... this time were chucking in an extra route around Contin on the way up then doing Golspie the next day  |
|
|
|
Post by andyr on Jul 8, 2015 11:33:22 GMT
Can't make it.  |
|
|
|
Post by hodgy on Jul 8, 2015 11:56:08 GMT
That's a bummer Andy ..you would enjoy this one ..another time
|
|
|
|
Post by hodgy on Jul 8, 2015 11:59:53 GMT
Just read Choppers post again ...the Lactic Ladder in one ..yer doing good
That " one " refers to a week I'm assuming ..lol
|
|
|
|
Post by ant on Jul 8, 2015 18:15:59 GMT
I will be attending this ride , possibly with my mate,Alan who you met at Hamsterly Neil, if he is going I will ask if he'll take his van which will get 3of us in and if he doesn't I can give you a lift , if not I will go my self, where is yarrowford ?
|
|
|
|
Post by ant on Jul 8, 2015 19:33:28 GMT
Hodgy, Alan is coming and he says he can get 3 in his transit,
|
|
|
|
Post by hodgy on Jul 8, 2015 20:58:28 GMT
Great stuff Ant
Although the offer of a lift is very welcome ..I may well be picking up Jaco at Otterburn ..but won't know until Friday .
He is definitely coming ...
It will be good to see yourself & also Alan again ..but it might be easier and a bit more comfortable if you went together ..but I'm very grateful for the offer .
To get there A68 to St Boswells turn left on the A699 then on to Selkirk and join the A 708 and follow this for about 8km to Yarrowford ..blink and you will drive through it mind!
Meeting for about 10.00 ..it shouldn't take more than 1.5 hours to get there...if that
See you there...it's a good un
|
|
|
|
Post by hodgy on Jul 8, 2015 22:05:09 GMT
I have just been looking on Geograph at the track on the opposite side of the valley ...which goes from Fast Heugh climbing up Fastheugh Hill ( 501m) and then dropping down Duchess Drive to Black Andrew Wood and back to Yarrowford .
If anyone feels short changed at the end this could easily be added on ..the pics show a fantastic track ..grassy in places and would give another excellent descent !
I'm not saying that I want to do it yet ...but it's there to discuss once back in Yarrowford ! ( gulp)
|
|
|
|
Post by hodgy on Jul 8, 2015 22:10:13 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by hodgy on Jul 10, 2015 5:51:56 GMT
Line up for tomorrow
Ant
Alan
Colin
Dave
Jean
Paul
Me...
No Russell or Graham ..but a good turnout
Weather set to be overcast but no rain as things stand with an average temp of 19c...should be good !
|
|
|
|
Post by ant on Jul 10, 2015 16:54:50 GMT
Really looking forward to this
|
|
|
|
Post by hodgy on Jul 10, 2015 20:00:34 GMT
A late entry...Russell can make it now ..w-hey!
|
|
|
|
Post by hodgy on Jul 11, 2015 17:16:08 GMT
" Sublime ".....was the word Ant used to describe the drop down The Minch Moor Road to end the ride ..and I can't think of a better one ..but more of that later ...
A good group gathering and the weather stayed kind ..with a welcome breeze which certainly helped on the climbs .
After a short road section you get to Broadmeadows and then it's the first climb of the day which I described earlier in the thread as horrendous ..but let's just call this what it actually is ..it's a BASTARD of a climb up the side of Foulshiels Hill ..climbing from the road ( 173 m ) to the top ( 409 m ) ..in less than 1.5km ..and then losing most of it before turning left towards the 3 Bretheren to climb again ...
Colin was in full curse mode ..but thats expected as with seniority comes privileges ..and it saves me doing it !
Anyway I always judge a ride by his mood at the end ..and it's not often that he is not smiling ...
From the 3B's the track undulates with some great descents as well as further tough ascents until we join the trail from Innerleithen up to the top of Minch Moor ..I like this climb as it contours around the hill fairly gently before topping out at 567m ..then a cracking descent to rejoin the Southern Upland Way..and retrace our tracks to the start of The Minch Moor Road ..for the real reason anyone rides this trail ..5km of previously described " sublime " downhill singletrack ..which just begs to be ridden as fast as you can ! But there comes the crux ..there is a large element of blind faith for most of the time you can't actually see where you are going due to the height of the grass to the left and the bracken to the right ..the track is also so narrow that if there was a large rock / obstacle on the track it would probably take 5 mins for you to come back down to earth !
As Russell said once back at the cars ..that would be fantastic on a go-pro ..as you would get the real sensation of speed ...guess we will just have to go back and do it again before summer ends then !!
Not a massive ride at just under 15 miles ..but the legs told a story of how much tough climbing there was ...
Thanks to everyone for a great day ...& to Dave for suggesting we revisit this ..Top Day !!!
And ...Colin was smiling at the end ..haha
|
|
|
|
Post by hodgy on Jul 11, 2015 18:01:04 GMT
Some pics .. Foreground ..Jaco doing his best to thumb a lift after seeing the first climb in the distance Background ..Jean far left Dave , Ant and Colin's arse ..  Colin introducing himself to Alan who he was meeting for the first time  Ain't it great when your mates are this pleased to see you !  |
|
|
|
Post by hodgy on Jul 11, 2015 18:12:44 GMT
The race to the top of the Bretheren ..as usual Colin & Myself had to give everyone a head start ..before breezing past them at the top ...  Jaco ..far right " look at the size of these two beauties..." Dave to the left fell over Ant looked shocked ..and Jean ..well it takes a lot more to impress her ...! What! ? ....I'm talking about the two Bretheren in the picture ..what the hell do you think I meant !? ...   Colin ...in a good mood  ..on the climb up Minch Moor  |
|
|
|
Post by hodgy on Jul 11, 2015 18:19:58 GMT
The cairn at the top of Minch Moor ..group shot L--R ..Alan , Jaco , Ant , Dave , Russell & Jean ..that lass will take any opportunity for 40 winks ..someone give her a nudge ! Missing from shot ..Colin who kept on going down the hill ...  Sorry no action pics ..way to good to stop ! |
|
|
|
Post by ant on Jul 11, 2015 19:20:00 GMT
I second everything Hodgy said, great ride, thoroughly enjoyed the whole day but the best part was to be out riding with the group again, can't wait until 3 weeks
|
|
|
|
Post by davet on Jul 12, 2015 8:09:47 GMT
Brilliant day out, really enjoyed all of it. That final decent was ridiculously fast and certainly got the adrenalin pumping. Big grins all round once safely back at the cars as it should be. Thanks to all and good to see you Ant again and nice to meet Allan.
|
|
