The Next Level:
The TransScotland Preview
Building on the success of the Merida TransWales, the Chain Reaction Cycles TransScotland?07 (powered by Merida Bikes) looks set to reach stratospheric heights
What do you do when the first ever event of its kind, the Merida TransWales, goes down a storm, with riders flocking from far afield as Hong Kong, as well as from all over continental Europe and the home countries, lavishing it with the highest praise imaginable? You take the concept to the one place that is recognised by the International Mountain Bike Association (IMBA) as a Global Superstar, graded with an A+ in December of 2006, and the only nation ever in the eight-year history of IMBA?s Report Card to record back-to-back honours for trails, and mountain bike promotion and development. You take it to Scotland, and in particular the mountain bike Mecca that is the 7Stanes (www.7stanes.gov.uk) Quite simply, mountain biking does not get any better than this.
?Ultimately we really want to run two events a year ? one in Wales and one in Scotland ? to give people the choice of tackling unknown terrain in a major event. The second step to get to that goal is to run an event in Scotland which, following the glowing feedback we?ve had from the Merida 100 in Selkirk, was the obvious choice. The fundamental concept is the same as the TransWales, but for Scotland we?re opening the solo category from the word go ? which has been really, really popular ? to give everyone the chance to take on the Chain Reaction Cycles TransScotland ?07 (powered by Merida Bikes) themselves.?
But that?s not all: for the 2007 event, the TransScotland has secured a major new title sponsor in the form of Chain Reaction Cycles, with Merida Bikes remaining on as the official bike sponsor. The event is now known as the Chain Reaction Cycles TransScotland ?07 (powered by Merida Bikes) and will take place from Friday 25th May through to Saturday 2nd June, starting and finishing at Selkirk.
The Chain Reaction Cycles TransScotland ?07 (powered by Merida Bikes) will follow the same concept as the Merida TransWales, with a mixture of linking and special stages utilizing the best of the 7Stanes trails as well as the stunning natural terrain that is amongst some of the best in Scotland. ?We're delighted that the reputation of the 7stanes has attracted yet another fantastic event to the South of Scotland,? said Julie Cartner of the 7Stanes team of the Chain Reaction Cycles TransScotland ?07 (powered by Merida Bikes). ?The route will take in some of the best trails we have to offer - all completely different styles of trail in some of the most scenic parts of Scotland. With more singletrack being built right now, there will be some surprises even for those who've ridden here before.? As with last year, challenging trails, stunning scenery and a relaxed atmosphere with great camaraderie will be the key ingredients of what promises to a simply incredible event.
?The Chain Reaction Cycles TransScotland (powered by Merida Bikes) course will take in the best of the Central Borders drove roads and hill tracks, some coastal riding down by Dalbeattie, the wild open country of Glentrool and exposed moorland by Wanlockhead,? says Pete Laing, the Chain Reaction Cycles TransScotland ?07 (powered by Merida Bikes) man on the ground and the figure responsible for designing the much-loved course at the Selkirk round of the Merida 100s; you can be sure that the course he produces for the Chain Reaction Cycles TransScotland (powered by Merida Bikes) will be nothing but utterly top notch. ?Slippy roots and woodland riding at Drumlanrig might catch out those brought up on the built trails in Wales and Scotland,? he continues, ?and it goes without saying that the 7Stanes centres will provide a unique mix of singletrack styles for the timed stages. Expect big climbs, long stages, weather that will change daily, some mud, a smattering of back-road links and large chunks of the Southern Upland Way, which will provide riding with an epic flavour familiar to many. Our stupendous Access Laws might also allow the inclusion of a few cheeky trails!?
The linking stages will all be long distance rides between 40 and 80km and will all be completely way-marked. They will test the endurance and pacing ability of each individual and team, but they are neutralised and not competitive; however, there will be a realistic time limit for the stage to be completed within before time penalties are incurred that will affect the results of the special stages.
The special stages are themselves optional for the competitors. If a rider is not going for the Chain Reaction Cycles TransScotland (powered by Merida Bikes) crown then they can simply sit out the special stages or just enjoy them as a fun-loaded singletrack fix without worrying about the time. They will be run as either relay or in pairs, calling team tactics into play as well as being a key test of pacing, determination and grit. The special stages will be gripping fights for precious seconds and will be packed full of drama as they will decide who will be crowned kings and queens of the Chain Reaction Cycles TransScotland (powered by Merida Bikes) for 2007.
But it?s not simply a race to the line: the Chain Reaction Cycles TransScotland (powered by Merida Bikes) is all about the experience, of camaraderie, and of the challenge. As MBR?s Tom Locke says, ?Whilst there's always going to be ducking and diving at the front of the pack, any threat of an over competitive edge is quickly dulled by an inevitable mucking in for the common cause. Despite the unpredictable conditions, speaking to several veterans of comparable global challenges even in its maiden year the Trans experience seemed to be placed on an even pedestal.? For 2007, the Chain Reaction Cycles TransScotland (powered by Merida Bikes) is set to kick into overdrive, and take the concept of the highly acclaimed Merida TransWales to greater heights still as it sets its sights on being one of, if not the greatest, event of its kind anywhere in the world?
Day Zero: Preparing For The Big Push
The massed throng of marathon and endurance mountain bikers have converged on the small Scottish border town of Selkirk for the big push as Britain?s toughest mountain bike race, the Chain Reaction Cycles TransScotland (Powered by Merida Bikes) gets under way, reports Matt Skinner in the first of his daily reports?
Following on the success of the first ever Trans-UK format event, the Merida TransWales last year, the format is back and spoiling for a fight in the Scottish borders. Which is just as well, as the event officially kicked off at 9am this (Sunday) morning.
Taking its cues from the epic Trans-Alps and Trans-Rockies point-to-point races that cross the Alps and the Canadian Rockies, the Chain Reaction Cycles TransScotland (powered by Merida Bikes) mixes seven (daily) non-competitive marathon linking stages ? varying from 55km to 85km in distance ? together with a selection of special stages on the cream of Scotland?s purpose built trail centres for singletrack speed shakes: Glentress, Dalbeattie, Mabie and Drumlanrig will all see riders tackling rally style time trials in pairs and in relay, both during the day and at night. All in all this uniquely epic challenge demands that the riders ? split amongst five categories (the Scottish Tourism Solo, the High5 Mixed, the Gore Veteran?s, the Buff Female, or the BeOne Male Categories) ? complete a total of 498km (309miles) of riding with 14,100m (46,260ft) of climbing off-road in just seven days. Last year?s inaugural Trans-UK event, the TransScotland, was ? on paper ? tougher than the famous TransRockies.
Around 250 riders have arrived en-masse on Selkirk?s rugby club just a stone?s throw from the beautiful Ettrick Valley. Coming from as far afield as Hong Kong, Belgium, Sweden, Italy, Germany, Portugal, Spain and the United States, the event has seen a blend of both new to the cause recruits and repeat offenders back for seconds after the Merida TransWales, with many more of the riders opting to compete solo as opposed to the traditional pair teams.
Chief of the newbies is TransAlps and TransRockies veteran Keith Bontrager, who is riding the event solo and will be recording his exploits in glorious technicolour for MBUK (Mountain Biking UK) magazine. Rabid UK singlespeeders and 24hr soloists Matt Carr and Shaggy, organiser of the UK Singlespeed Champs on June 10th at Ashton Court, Bristol, are facing the monumental 498km (310 miles) and 14,100m (46,300ft) challenge aboard Trek 69er singlespeed rigs.
The first day?s stage takes the riders out from Selkirk to wind, haul and grunt their way to Moffat, all 76km and 2,100m of climbing away. The weather looks decidedly mixed and with the gauntlet freshly thrown down, it promises to be an interesting first day. Stay tuned for daily reports and photos following the story of the Chain Reaction Cycles TransScotland (powered by Merida Bikes) as it unfolds. It promises to be something special indeed?
Day One: The Beast Awakes
After the calm before the storm, the Chain Reaction Cycles TransScotland (Powered by Merida Bikes) kicks off to a fine start with a full fat 76km opening day, filled to bursting with lung busting climbs and off the back, rear tyre buzzing descents, reports Matt Skinner in the second of his daily reports?
1st Linking Stage
Selkirk to Moffat
Total distance: 76km
Climbing: 2,100m
As the rains limply came down on Selkirk, the first Chain Reaction Cycles TransScotland (Powered by Merida Bikes) shrugged off the flailing elements on Sunday morning as 245 riders clicked into their SPD pedals and began making their way to Moffat, some 76km away. Facing them lay a not-insignificant hunk of typically Scottish border country with three progressively tougher major climbs: this was big country served up with a side of deep fried Haggis, a heady mix of drizzle and side of blue sky and sunshine to finish.
The riders spun through Selkirk as it slumbered and headed west along a sequence of wooded singletrack forays that screwed their minds firmly onto the job in hand. The over night rains had given the trails a good dousing and added some slippery spice to the mix. The course then headed calmly by Ettrick Water and along the forested trails of the Bowhill Estate before hot-stepping it to the foot of the first major climb of the day: all 450m of it up to Sandbed Moss that wound its way up snaking double track road before ramping up grunt-inducing tussocky slopes to the top out. From there the course skirted the flanks of Eldinhope Knowe, and made for the forested escarpments of The Wiss and another gravity surge up 516m book ended with mud and tough conditions under tyre, for which the fast rocky descent was more than a just reward. After a spin out on the black top to shed excess organic matter and onto the Southern Upland Way, the riders worked themselves up Capell Fell and it?s straight up stairway to heaven portage to summit one of the highest points in the region just shy of 678m. Then the die was firmly cast: the only way was down. Straight down Selcoth Burn in an orgy of tyre buzzing steep and open grassy descent that Keith Bontrager later described as ?like a groomed ski piste.? Just pick your line, get off the back and carve down the never ending, brake pad melting descent to roll into the finish, tired, elated and buzzing.
Tomorrow sees the second linking stage from Moffat to Drumlanrig, followed in the afternoon by the first special stage on Drumlanrig?s wooded singletrack, after which the race?s pecking order will begin to take shape and the Chain Reaction Cycles TransScotland (Powered by Merida Bikes) will truly begin firing on all cylinders. But for many, the beast is already awake and prowling hungrily after some truly memorable trail?
Day Two: Riders Ready?
The second linking stage takes riders to the beautiful grounds of Drumlanrig Castle ready and raring for the first special stage, a team time trial on some super buff root infested singletracks, reports Matt Skinner in the third of his daily reports?
Linking Stage Two
Moffat to Drumlanrig
Total distance: 45km
Climbing: 1,150m
Followed by:
Special Stage One
Team time trial on Drumlanrig Red Route (abridged)
Total distance: 10km
Climbing: 300m
The first competitive day of the Chain Reaction Cycles TransScotland (Powered by Merida Bikes) bloomed strong under a blue fluffy sky in much welcome contrast to the first day in Selkirk. It was rounded out with a team time trial on the natural feeling tech and flowing, root infested singletrack of Drumlanrig to reward riders with high grade speed shakes. But before that, 45km of fine single malt Scottish wilderness lay between the riders and their singletrack sugar?
Straight from the off from Moffat the riders were thrown into things. The particular thing in question being a behemoth of a climb up Hods Hill that was both steep and sustained in pitch right up to 567m. Many riders, wary of the cumulative toll over the seven days, portaged this wee beastie?s more severe parts as they slowly followed the Southern Upland Way. The trail eventually then kicked downwards over more wide open grassy ?piste? sections, a sweet reminder of the awesomely steep final descent of the day before that Keith Bontrager described yesterday in his CyclingNews diary of the event: ?Imagine a groomed black diamond ski hill, many hundred feet of vert, covered in well mown grass, smooth and untracked. It was a trip.?
Back to day two and things were again continuing in a high quality downward vein: a 2km Roman Road descent gave back to the riders all that the bugger of a climb had taken as it snaked its way smoothly down the Kir Burn valley, only tempering the devil may care abandon approach to braking by the occasional ass-kicking water bar. High speeds, carving lines and smooth grassy contour caressing trails brought the riders down into Durisdeer and back onto the black top. But then the day?s linking stage was all but done: the black top and a singletrack foray brought riders onto the picturesque Drumlanrig estate, before the very final climb took the riders into the woods for a brief but satisfying taster of the trails yet to come in the special stage team trial. Not, as it turned out, an inconsequential carrot, as the trail flitted this way and that, doing its best impression of a convulsing serpent with plenty of pumpy undulations and a matted network of wheel grabbing roots to boot.
With a few hours to kill before the beginning of the special stage, the event village filled out and the riders made the most of a few quiet hours under the much-welcomed sunshine. Riders also explored the treasure trove that is Rik?s Bike Shed?s Bike Museum, a literal historical walk through of the bicycle, albeit beautifully higgledy-piggeldy.
The special stage itself would see team riders racing in relay ? one from the off who would then hand over to their partner mid-way through the lap ? around the 10km Drumlanrig circuit. With the first half of the course containing the more techy, picky, rocky and rooty singletrack and a plethora of power climbs, and the second being made up of more flowing and undulating trail with more singletrack climbs, team tactics came into play for the teams to decide who would open the batting and who would come in at the halfway point to bring the team home. For the many solo riders, it was just flat out all the way round the full 10km circuit.
Set against the background of the impressive Drumlanrig castle, the riders went off at 30 second intervals from the Chain Reaction Cycles start ramp to launch flat out through the High5 arch and out onto the course. After a brief fire road climb the singletrack began in predatory manner and jumped the riders from the summit of the climb. Snaking downwards the trails spun a web of singletrack seduction that lasted became more and more acute as the lap wore on. The fastest pair, Ryan Bevis and Jonathan Pugh of Ram Bikes/Scott UK blasted the trails to smithereens in a time of 33:24 to claim the stage win, with the fastest solo male, Andy Barlow of Whyte Bikes coming home in just 35:27. In the women?s open, Meggie Bichard of Extreme-Endurance.com wrapped up the win with 42:55, and Julie Cartner and Renel Brennan of the 7Stanes did likewise in the Buff Female category with a total time of 42:38.
With a monster 100km linking stage tomorrow and a the miles in the legs beginning to make themselves known, riders have turned in for an early night amdist the beautiful grounds of Drumlanrig Castle. The morning will see them turn southwards through the Forest of Ae towards Dalbeattie as well as tackling 2,000m of climbing to get there. It?s going to be a long, hard day.
Special Stage 1 Results:
Drumlanrig Woods Team Time Trial
Scottish Tourism Women?s Solo Open Category
1 ? Meggie Bichard (Extreme-Endurance.com): 42:55
2 ? Christie Boucher: 46:05
3 ? Helen Lambert: 49:24
Scottish Tourism Men?s Solo Open Category
1 ? Andy Barlow (Whyte Bikes): 35:27
2 ? Ben Thompson (Nevis Cycles): 35:42
3 ? Mansour Youssef (Fusion Bikes): 36:35
Scottish Tourism Veteran Women?s Solo Category
1 ? Hilary Bloor (Team Planetfear): 54:22
2 ? Tatjana Troll: 57:35
3 ? Julie Dinsdale: 1:00:23
Scottish Touism Veteran Men?s Solo Category
1 ? Rob Waller (ERC One Week Younger): 37:06
2 ? Antony Green (G A Cycles/gonebikinmad): 40:02
3 - Matt Scrase (MTBMarathon.co.uk): 40:17
High5 Mixed Category
1 ? Jay Horton and Maddie Horton (XC Racer.com/Trek): 40:09
2 ? Alice Crook and Neil Hamblin (Cakemonsters): 44:31
3 ? Yolande Wase and John Singleton (Laurel & Hardy): 48:03
Gore Veteran?s Category
1 ? Bryan Singleton and Peter Strong (Global/Torq/Buff): 39:08
2 ? Robert Barker and Mark Langdon (Sportstest.co.uk): 41:17
3 ? Arthur Rijk and Tim Snyder (TNT): 43:40
Buff Female Category
1 ? Julie Cartner and Renel Brennan (7Stanes): 42:38
2 ? Sally Lee and Kate Chappell (Extreme-Endurance.com): 48:41
BeOne Male Category
1 ? Ryan Bevis and Jonathan Pugh (RAM Bikes/Scott UK): 33:24
2 ? Andrew Wardman and Steven Halsall (7Stanes): 36:05
3 ? William Pearson and Edward Kerly (Good Willed): 37:42
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