New jersey is in transit!!!

I've Just had an email from 张东亚 confirming my jersey has now shipped

Looking good :)

PCC Dirt Crit - Round 3

Another Thursday night, another mad dash up the A72 to Glentress for the last Dirt Crit before the summer break.

Fin was feeling confident, and our friends Keith and Katie came along to watch, with the view that Katie may take part in the last 3 events in the series.

The two smaller boys from last week were again on the start line.

Unfortunately, Fin managed to get himself stuck at the back of the bunch off the start line, but gained a few places on the first section, and was mid-field after the first lap

We all waited for him to come into view after the last corner, hoping he wouldn't be in last.  Sure enough, there he was 3 from the back with a huge grin on his face

Well done Fin! Great effort

14th Place - Results Here

PCC Dirt Crit - Round 2

Another mad rush to get to Glentress for 6pm on a Thursday night - although a wee bit less rushed this week.

Round 2 in the 6 race series again saw a field of around 20 boys and girls taking part, again doing 2 loops of the Blue Velvet trail.

There were a couple of smaller boys entered, who were not there last week.  Riders at a similar level to Fin.

After completing the first lap, it was close between the 3 wee ones, with Fin just in front.



Unfortunately, by the time they came back round, he was bringing up the rear.

Still 10/10 for effort, and looking forward to next week.

Results Here

PCC Dirt Crit - Round 1

This was Fin's first ever mountain biking event.

He was run over by a car in April of this year, and his left foot was badly damaged.  There were times shortly after the accident, i thought he'd never ride a bike again, He has almost fully recovered.  I don't know who was the most excited about the event, him or me.
Making the registration time of 6pm was always going to be tight.  By the time I finished work, got home and picked up Fin and drove to Glentress, it was 5.55! 

After registration, and I got his number cable-tied to his bike, and headed for a bike check.

It was a long walk to the start line, and we just made it in time.

The under 8's section must have had 20 boys and girls entered, Fin was by far the smallest.

The organiser made the kids feel at ease on the start line.  The route was to be 2 laps of Blue Velvet.

To cut a long story short, Fin struggled badly, and finished several minutes after everyone else, but did get the loudest cheer of the night as he crossed the line.

He's already excited about next weeks event!

Results Here

The Glentress 7 - The Event

It has been a day of mixed emotions.

I arrived at Glentress at about 7.20am, to ensure that I would get a place track side to pop up my gazebo for my pit / rest area.  I'd received an email earlier in the week to say that spaces were limited, and would be issued on a first come first served basis from 7.30am. 

Anyway, to cut a long story short, all the spaces had been reserved for clubs, so there was nothing available. 

A bad start, not only for me, but for the couple of hundred of other people who'd had a similar idea, and were now filling up the temporary car park.

I took a walk around the lower part of the course, and spotted the ideal location for the gazebo.  The only problem was, it was in the grounds of Glentress Forest Lodges, next to their wigwams.  I chanced my arm, and asked the owner if it would be OK to set up a pit area for the day.  He said for a fiver, we could set up camp, use his nice porcelain toilets (much better than the portaloos) and there were even showers.  What a saviour.

All this time setting up camp, breaking it all down again, and re-setting it up again meant i missed the riders breifing - something that would come back to haunt me later in the day.

On the start line, I had managed to get a position near to the middle of the pack.  My plan was to put in lap times of under 67mins .  This would enable me to acheive my target of 7 laps. 

After the buzzer went to signal the start, I headed off at quite a quick pace for me.  Everyone in front was pulling away from me quickly, but fortunately, i wasn't being passed by anyone from behind.

Half way round lap one, I was feeling terrible.  My breakfast was sitting in my stomach, and I was feeling sick.  I struggled on, only drinking water for the next two laps, and thankfully the sickness passed.  The rain had been falling steadily all morning, and was now quite heavy.

Laps 3 - 6 were pretty uneventful, just peddling on, still acheiving my target time.  No let up in the rain though.  I had managed my target times all day, so by starting my last lap prior to the 4.45pm, i was guarenteed to acheive my 7 lap target... 

Or so I thought.  

I was taking my time on lap 7, there was no hurry after all.  I chatted to every marshall on the way round to thank them for their support during the miserable day.  It was a lonely lap, i think i only saw another two riders on the way round, who both passed me at great speed.

When I made my way up the short climb to the transition area for the last time, i was greeted my an MC who announced to the gathered crowd that I had missed the finishing time by 8 minutes. 

To say I was gutted was an understatement.  I could have easily taken 8 mins off my lap time.  If only i'd gone to the riders briefing, i'd have heard the change to the rules, and i'd have acheived my 7th lap.

Oh well, must try harder next year.

Next event - PCC Drit Crit - Fin's First race

Traquair Trailquest - Podium Finish :)

Well would you believe it! 2nd place in the Mens Pairs with Gary Douglas!

I'm very happy with that, although a stop watch malfunction meant we returned 30 mins too early - First place could have easily been achieved with the additional time we didn't use.

Not to worry, Alpine Bike gift voucher, High 5 energy goodies and a water bottle on their way back home.

It was Gary's first event, and although his map reading skills left a lot to be desired, he maintained a steady pace all day, and ground out the big hills.

Keith and Lynne Brydon finished 2nd in the Mixed Pairs, to stretch their lead at the top of the table in that category.

Richie Scott competed in the men's solo for the first time, and had an eventful day in Elibank, with a broken chain, and some swearing at trees, but finished well down the order.

Next Trailquest is Yarrowford - Sunday 3rd July -Organised by Walter Brydon and Toni Jupp - Part of the national series.

Next event for me is The Glentress 7 - Saturday 11th June

Sample Jersey Has Arrived!!!!!!

Although there's a spelling mistake, and the blue is more green than i want, it is perfect.

Hopefully the final jersey shouldn't take too long

New frame arrived today

On-One 456 Carbon.  I only ordered it yesterday, and it arrived today!  Very quick delivery from On-One.

It may be a few weeks before i get it built up, probably not in timne for this years GT7, but definately before the last Trail Quest.

I need to order a headset, a bottom bracket, cables and get some custom decals made.