[Closed] Glentress Seven - big thumbs up

It was a superb course indeed!

Aye, a great day out. Any results up? Anyone got any photos?

Aye, a brilliant day... Not really my sort of thing but I had an absolute blast, the course was pretty inspired. Horrible climb aside. Superb organisation as well. I really thought the day was going down the tubes when the weather turned but no.

Two thumbs up!

Aye, it was a cracking course, great organisation and the marshalls were great too.

Did start to get a bit slidey in the afternoon, got a bit of a surprise at a bit I'd been flat out at the previous laps, certainly got my attention!!

@Dair - thought I'd seen you before the briefing but never spotted you later on, sure you weren't just there soaking up the atmosphere 😉

@stevemtb you can't have been looking far enough up the trail... 😉

loved it.

Was a really well run event very impressed. Big thumbs up to all the marshalls they were great.

I wasn't blown away by the course,you didn't seem to get a great pay off for all that climbing, but fair play it really held up well it was only cutting up on the final lap. I think I would have been better off on a hardtail though

@Dair - actually I was going slow enough for everyone to pass me multiple times!

First solo so tried to pace myself. Didn't seem to work as energy completely went on lap 5, struggled to keep the bike on the trail on the last descent!!

richmtb - Member

I think I would have been better off on a hardtail though

Oh, definately, it's an XC route after all but there seemed to be a lot of big bikes around, what you might call glentress syndrome of needing an orange five to do an XC route 😉 I did it on my rigid which made for some pretty comical riding, hardtail or racy full suss would have been ideal I think.

But comparing with, say, 10UTB the climbs were more interesting, the descents more varied (and better built).

Oh, definately, it's an XC route after all but there seemed to be a lot of big bikes around, what you might call glentress syndrome of needing an orange five to do an XC route

You're probably spot on.

I think I'm just not fit enought to enjoy all that climbing!

Northwind - Member

richmtb - Member

I think I would have been better off on a hardtail though

Oh, definately, it's an XC route after all but there seemed to be a lot of big bikes around, what you might call glentress syndrome of needing an orange five to do an XC route I did it on my rigid which made for some pretty comical riding, hardtail or racy full suss would have been ideal I think.

Many people don't own a bike for every different potential ride they'll do. If they only own an orang 5 then it was probably the ideal bike for them as a 7hour walk wouldn't have had the same appeal.

I thought the course, organisation and marshalling was very good. IT certainly got a little sketchy towards the end, not helped by the fact I was exhausted. Weather could have been better but that's out of people control. Single figures for June though! How did you all get on? I got 8 laps in (on my 150mm full suss/race bike) so was pretty happy. DId the eventual winner get in 10?

The climbs were good. Nothing like an old fashioned fire-road slog to sort the field out. I thought the descents were very fair. Nothing too sketchy, but lots of fun.

jonb - Member

Many people don't own a bike for every different potential ride they'll do. If they only own an orang 5 then it was probably the ideal bike for them as a 7hour walk wouldn't have had the same appeal.

Aye, sure, but if people bring a big bike to an XC race they should expect to have it outgunned, is all I'm saying. I mean, I don't have a DH bike so I DH my trail bike, I don't complain that the tracks are a bit hard 😉

Really enjoyed watching/heckling/marshalling too. Great atmosphere and really well organised. Everyone put a lot of time and effort in.

Lots more events to take part in or watch during the week.

The crit ride in Peebles Tuesday night should be really exciting and don't forget the two big days out in the hills next weekend.

Ah ok, I agree with that.

Diane - Member

Really enjoyed watching/heckling/marshalling too. Great atmosphere and really well organised. Everyone put a lot of time and effort in.

Whereabouts were you?

All over. Mostly just after the change over where people were crossing the course to get to the Hub cafe. Then in the trees after the first grassy climb / last descent taking pics of my friends 🙂

Where were you - I think you must recognise me by now but I still don't have a clue who you are! 😀

I'd probably recognise you I think, but still trying to put a face to a disembodied internet name

Hey guys - asked someone taking photos if he could put them up on Flicker under Tweedlove - and he did! Lots in there - leave him a 'thankyou' note 🙂

It's personal but I loved the course. Plenty of technical interest and some tough climbs. This was no muddy field! My Top Fuel was perfect for the terrain but got a bit clogged on the last laps. Big thanks to the organisers and the super cheery marshals - happy marshals make such a difference to an event! Hope it's on again next year.

I loved it, personally I thought the course got better as the weather got worse 🙂

The dual slalomy bit at the end was fun too.

Well done to all involved in the organisation. Roll on next year!

yes the marshalls were awesome especially the lady doing star jumps and the like to keep warm ,all of them smiling and encoraging despite the weather ,brilliant day,well done to all involved
i thought the course was great and tough

where will the timing results be available?
and there seemed to be a lot of freelance photographers
anyone know where these picks will be posted

Great course, (apart from 'that' climb (but how else did I expect to get to the good bits?)), great atmosphere, marshalls & generally a positive experience all round - Big Thumbs up from me & I'll be doing it again next year 😀

Course great, well done to all. Weather a bit sh!te. It would have been good to see a timing screen. More grumpy competitors on the course than other mtb events I have done and not many people saying pass on your left or right, just saying pass or excuse me or nothing at all, which isn't that helpful. I also heard one marshall saying to someone in front of me that was walking a section, "you can't be that bad" which whilst probably intended as a joke seemed to have an understandable negative effect. Other marshalls great especially star jump lady at the start of the blue section and all up for some banter. Will prob be back next year and do the mtb and road rides.
Well done to all organisers and trail fairies.

The only downside is, now I might be tempted to do another XC race, I thought I'd managed to knock that one on the head 👿

Well done everyone at tweed love for organising such a great event yesterday. Very professional and friendly and great course too. Times up on Facebook for those interested.

Camp Trailfairy, lowering the tone of the pits area

[url= http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2198/5824848146_72e9fb91ec_b.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2198/5824848146_72e9fb91ec_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/53860438@N06/5824848146/ ]IMG_0046[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/53860438@N06/ ]Northwindlowlander[/url], on Flickr

Stevenmenmuir looking a little tired and emotional

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[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/53860438@N06/5824320577/ ]IMG_0052[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/53860438@N06/ ]Northwindlowlander[/url], on Flickr

A highly motivated MC

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[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/53860438@N06/5824242821/ ]IMG_0038[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/53860438@N06/ ]Northwindlowlander[/url], on Flickr

ChrisL a bit lost in transition

[url= http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3632/5824820610_b951e4b832_b.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3632/5824820610_b951e4b832_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/53860438@N06/5824820610/ ]IMG_0041[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/53860438@N06/ ]Northwindlowlander[/url], on Flickr

Our mate Peter failing to complete his 3rd before the clock ran out... And his dad looking dead sympathetic

[url= http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5027/5824330933_5838653457_b.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5027/5824330933_5838653457_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/53860438@N06/5824330933/ ]IMG_0054[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/53860438@N06/ ]Northwindlowlander[/url], on Flickr

The knife I brought to the slightly-larger-knifefight, one tarted up £250 Carrera with insuffienct gears and even less suspension. Good fun.

[url= http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2205/5824307543_2a84c90829_b.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2205/5824307543_2a84c90829_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/53860438@N06/5824307543/ ]IMG_0050[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/53860438@N06/ ]Northwindlowlander[/url], on Flickr

hi deneo where about on facebook m8

here they are (fingers crossed this works)

Northwind, was that after my first lap?

any one else missing a lap?

Aye, I think so MC.

Great day. I especially enjoyed it after ditching the singlespeed and its sketchy front tyre and taking out the 456 with a decent front tyre and an extra 26 gears. The little gears were very helpful. I have a bit of a trailfairy group photo which I'll post up later so you can put faces to the workers.

A great win for Rich then, but 5 mins was close. Heard some good reports about the course. Gutted i wasn't there though 🙁

Results on tweedlove Facebook. My team got third overall in mens trios

Emotional=very happy to be finished 😀

Better presented results also now available [url= http://tweedlove.com/events/the-glentress-seven/glentress-seven-2011-results ]here[/url] for those who are interested.

Awesome course for my first solo endurance event. Was pretty happy to take third solo overall, and the fastest lap overall. Not so happy with the crash I had leaving transition for my third lap, resulting in lots of lost skin and a ruptured thumb ligament which is now splinted. Possibly looking at an op' to fix that.

@Rich - Didn't realised (a) Who you were, Keith Forsyth filled me afterwards and (b) that when you asked me if I was riding solo on the first lap that you were also riding solo.

Thanks to all the lovely people who were very gracious in letting me past.

anyone know when the mixed results will be up?

Mmmm....being a more sedentary than I should be 40-something....with not a huge amount of bottle or bike handling skills....

Beer and curry the night before probably did not assist on top of basic lack of fitness.

However....

Good crack and some great folks.

Fantastic organisation and support all marshall comments - they certainly made me smile. Thanks!

Course?

Tougher than mentally prepared for (wishful thinking perhaps...), although worst bit of the climb up was the bit just after you came out of the field into the trees and turned left...the fireroad was just a literal drag once it started to get muddy.... Just a case of getting your head down and going with it whichever gear you were capable of turning.

More than a few moments on descents once the rain had got hold....but that kept the concentration sharp.

Most participants were well mannered and considerate. However, to that racing snake I pulled in to let past on the way up, a simple nod or grunt of thanks would have worked mate - all others managed it.

Overall - great fun.

Now hatching plans of weight loss, training and lighter bike....lordy!

@Dougal - good effort! Hope the thumbs ok.

Dougal - that was a great ride you put in! And to take the fastest lap solo (and not blow up!) was a great effort. When I put in a break on lap 3 (I think) I nearly blew! It was a great tight race - really enjoyed the fight! The course was flippin awesome too! One of the solo guys (from Bicycle Works I think) hit a tree really hard and had to pull out... don't know if you know him or how he is? My race report is here www.richyroth.com if anyone interested. Really hope the race happens again next year.

Immense course - no let up - either up or down - loved it!

Organisation was excellent - got to be definite for next year.

The Growler was a bit tricky towards the end of the day 🙂

One of the solo guys (from Bicycle Works I think) hit a tree really hard and had to pull out... don't know if you know him or how he is?

Martin Graham, was with him for most of the race. We had a discussion on lap three about whether you were solo when you opened the afterburners on the climb, I was gurning a lot having just fallen off.

Whole race for me was done at 'I can still speak' pace, even on the first lap I was holding back a lot.

HAHA, just read your blog. I'll stick to stopping for natural breaks. Congratulations to your wife and yourself on the birth of your son.

EDIT: Martin went out for an eighth lap, was was feeling properly sick when I caught and spoke to him. Think he went straight back to base after that, lap numbers would support this. Shame, as he was flying.

Yes, he was flying. And the crash was at a crucial part of the race. We were both going hard and it would have been interesting to see the outcome if he hadn't binned it... Well, at least he must have been ok to have got back out again. Respect for that.

Just had a message from Martin. He bailed after I saw him, ended up in an ambulance with shock and hypothermia. He's OK today, just feeling pretty bashed up.

last year at kirroughtree was pretty hard going but Saturday felt a fair bit colder. i had three layers on by the end of the day.

The rain and the cold overwhelmed my enjoyment of the event quite a bit, sadly. Everything under the control of the event organisers seemed sorted and went well but they couldn't control the weather.

I suppose I didn't mind it so much when I was out riding but hanging around between my laps was pretty miserable and was sapping my will to go out and ride.

I suppose I didn't mind it so much when I was out riding but hanging around between my laps was pretty miserable and was sapping my will to go out and ride.

I know the feeling. Did 10UTB as a pair and was struggling for motivation late on as I felt cold and wet when stopped, so thought I would feel similarly at Glentress. Not stopping for long on Saturday kept me going I think (stopping after a few hours to put on a fresh top and my jacket made a difference too, as did my waterproof shorts (the latter possibly would have been counter productive for Rich up there 😯 ))

Once you're wet, you're wet!

I agree that a shortish lap works well for teams and it also keeps the racing exciting.

Glad Martin is OK.

well done rich i was the bloke who congratulated you on way out of prize tent happy with my 7 laps till u said u done 10 awesome great blog
does anybody have any other photo links seemed to be a lot of freelancers
but no links on tweed site

Search for 'tweedlove' on Flickr.

I think http://ianlinton.com will have some up later in the week.

My word. I hope I don't always look like I do in the RandR photos, might have to give up riding if I do.

Ha! Which one?!

This one's the "best"

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You look about 12 dude! 😀

If it makes you feel better Northwind, there is a photographer who must have a cracking shot of me munching on a cheese sandwich shortly after transition since he insisted that I grin for the camera. Grated cheddar goodness.

I found two pics on there, first one could be described as "flying" and the second one "dying".

Diane

Hey guys - asked someone taking photos if he could put them up on Flicker under Tweedlove - and he did! Lots in there - leave him a 'thankyou' note

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That'll have been me!

If I blitzed any of you as you came down through the trees and you want a copy image then get in touch through the Tweedlove FB page. BTW - I was only up for a couple of hours so didn't get everyone!

Jamie Hunter

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Some of the fairies, I'm the turncoat in the Ridelines top. We sent the less photogenic ones out on the first lap before we took this.

Get your best MBUK cover shot face on! He's got the trees at an angle and everything, perfect.

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Just in case you can't tell, that's a Ridelines top 😉 Trying to work out where that is, somewhere after the chute presumably.

Ridelines?

That's a crackIng picture. Looking forward to seeing the rest of Ian lintons pics when they go up

Ridelines. Top coaches, guides and all round good guys, based in Innerleithen.

Ian's pics are up now, including a cracking one of Keith, thats the Innerleithen MTB Racing face ! We have our new poster boy.... (sorry Dougie and Crawford and Pete)

Great pics there.

At these events there's always a boring pic of me plugging across a field but when it comes to the interesting bits they miss me.

I did ride that chutey thing, and I fair flew down the descent, honest I did, several times each. 🙁

Hels - That pic from the inners champs was getting old.

Least I got on the BBC news website, shame for the punter in the next photo though.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-13776470

anybody going along to watch the cx and pump track racing tomorrow night?

Doing us proud Steve doing the 7 in Ridelines colours. 🙂
Would have been riding it ourselves if we didn't have a soggy party to organise, clients to teach and 200 burgers to pick up from the butchers. Excuses all round!

If anyone interested in knowing more about what we do...

[url= http://www.ridelines.co.uk ]http://www.ridelines.co.uk[/url]

For anyone wanting to catch some photos from the whole of TweedLove weeks events you can check out the photo albums from local photographer Ian Linton:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ian_linton/

Great shots of before and after the p*shing rain came down during the 7 and especially great shots of the dual slalom evening and crosslove, the cyclo cross event. Amazing week riding and good times. Good job TweedLovers, roll on 2012 event.

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[url= http://www.ridelines.co.uk ]RIDELINES (Mountain Bike Tuition) Ltd[/url]
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