May Bank Holiday in Scotland. What do those words conjour up? Correct - rain.
After a road trip via the Yorkshire Dales and Lake District, with a quick bit of biking in Grizedale forest, Claire and I rocked up at Drumlanrig Castle for SSUK08.
Wow. what a venue. The castle and grounds are amazing - the weather was even nice and warm on Saturday. We spent the day wandering around the castle grounds and finished it by lounging in the sun drinking Batemans finest ales.
The pre race preparation was ably assisted by the organisers providing Haggis, neeps and tatties for everyone, as well as a bar and ceilidh band - and Penny Farthing racing.
Race morning arrived and brought rain with it. At first it was not too bad, but as it got heavier the fears of big wet roots on the course grew greater. I made the (as it turns out brilliant)decision to switch to Bontrager mud tyres to have some hope of staying upright, and then it properly started chucking it down. I made my way to the start clutching my cup of tea (i am so rock and roll) and the race began.
Tea anyone?
We then stopped at a field ready for the 'Le Mans' start. All the bikes were laid down, and then jumbled up in piles of 69ers, on-ones, pink ones etc.
69ers are SO 2007!
When Kenny had downed his beer, the race began and we were all off and pushing slowly up the first muddy climb. The course was brilliant if a little wet. Technical muddy and rooty singletrack with only a few horrible climbs, but as it was singlespeed it didn't matter if I got off and pushed. Another great feature that should be more widely introduced was the beer shortcut. This took a good 5-10mins out of the course for the price of downing a tin of beer - a good trade.
All in, possibly one of the best events I have attended. Mega relaxed, brilliant course and the prizes were all awarded totally randomly - the most pleased was the bloke with the 'Oldest Orange' who won a new p7 frame to replace his '94 p7. Nice - but my bike is older;)
More photos here...
After a road trip via the Yorkshire Dales and Lake District, with a quick bit of biking in Grizedale forest, Claire and I rocked up at Drumlanrig Castle for SSUK08.
Wow. what a venue. The castle and grounds are amazing - the weather was even nice and warm on Saturday. We spent the day wandering around the castle grounds and finished it by lounging in the sun drinking Batemans finest ales.
The pre race preparation was ably assisted by the organisers providing Haggis, neeps and tatties for everyone, as well as a bar and ceilidh band - and Penny Farthing racing.
Race morning arrived and brought rain with it. At first it was not too bad, but as it got heavier the fears of big wet roots on the course grew greater. I made the (as it turns out brilliant)decision to switch to Bontrager mud tyres to have some hope of staying upright, and then it properly started chucking it down. I made my way to the start clutching my cup of tea (i am so rock and roll) and the race began.
Tea anyone?We then stopped at a field ready for the 'Le Mans' start. All the bikes were laid down, and then jumbled up in piles of 69ers, on-ones, pink ones etc.
69ers are SO 2007!When Kenny had downed his beer, the race began and we were all off and pushing slowly up the first muddy climb. The course was brilliant if a little wet. Technical muddy and rooty singletrack with only a few horrible climbs, but as it was singlespeed it didn't matter if I got off and pushed. Another great feature that should be more widely introduced was the beer shortcut. This took a good 5-10mins out of the course for the price of downing a tin of beer - a good trade.
All in, possibly one of the best events I have attended. Mega relaxed, brilliant course and the prizes were all awarded totally randomly - the most pleased was the bloke with the 'Oldest Orange' who won a new p7 frame to replace his '94 p7. Nice - but my bike is older;)
More photos here...
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