Stage breakdown Chain Reaction Cycles TransScotland ‘07
The TransScotland is based
on a combination of un-
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-
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-
-
1st special stage
on natural rooty trails in Drumlanrig Wood
Type: relay or team time trail -
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-
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-
Tuesday 29th May 2007
3rd linking stage from Drumlanrig to Dalbeattie
Distance: 85km
Meters
of climbing: 1650m
Predicted riding time: 7-
Level back-
From here,
roads and cycle path take you south to Dalbeattie with a short dip into Mabie forest
to breakup the big-
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
-
4th linking stage from Dalbeattie
Forest to New Abbey
Distance: 46km
Meters of climbing: 1200m
Predicted riding time:
4-
Dalbeattie is the most westerly of the 7stanes centres to be visited in this
version of the Trans-
An hour plus of flat-
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-
-
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-
Friday 1st June 2007
6th linking stage from Moffat to Peebles
Distance: 62km
Meters
of climbing: 2000m
Predicted riding time: 5-
-
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-
Saturday 2nd June 2007
7th and final linking stage from Peebles to Selkirk
Distance:
70km
Meters of climbing: 2350m
Predicted riding time: 6-
• 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.
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