Drumlanrig sportive

Steve_F

Anyone else do the Drumlanrig yesterday?

Can't believe how bad the wind was, must have been a strong headwind for 75% of the route. How does that work?!?!

Great event on nice roads, Mennoch Pass is a definite highlight but into the wind was about all I could take.

Still, gets my first 100 done this year and judging by how burnt I got (oops - wind hid the sun's real heat) I should have a decent tan by tomorrow!

DaveMoss

Apparently there is a problem with capacity of the national grid connections between England and Scotland. On a windy day in Scotland, with all the wind farms now in place the network is overloaded and the wind farms have to be put in reverse. On Saturday this resulted in you getting a headwind when mother nature would have provided a tail wind. Had everyone in Scotland boiled kettles and put on a wash load at the right time you would have had a tail wind all day.

I f you don't believe me see this http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-13253876 . At least my theory makes more sense.

nickwill

One cracking day out on the bike. Mennoch Pass was unbelievably hard, even the downhill section to the Dalveen turn was a low gear grind.
I haven't ridden the event since 2008 and all the good points have been retained with the addition of an even better route. I loved the extension out to Dalry and the views to the Rhinns of Kells. The laid back friendly atmosphere at the start and finish and at the intermediate feeds was testament to the hard work and positive attitude of some brilliant volunteers. It was great to meet Dave in a non virtual way after many conversations on forums and via email.!
I managed 6 hours and 7 minutes which in the circumstances I was pretty pleased with. Will be back again next year to see what sort of time I can do in less windy conditions.

Steve_F

I could have cried when I turned on to the last stretch and there was a cross wind instead of the tail wind I'd been waiting for. Only seemed to work out when we hit the big downhill stretch then along the valley floor back to the castle turn off.

Only managed 7h03, about the same time as last year and horribly close to the sub 7 hour mark. Had to stop to tighten saddle bolt and water bottle bolts which was probably enough to make me miss it!!

nickwill

There must have been mayhem when some of the less fit riders came through later on. The conditions transformed it into a very tough day and finishing the 100 miles will have been an achievement for everyone.
I don't think the Southern Uplands have ever looked better than they did on Saturday. I was talking to Rolf at the finish and he was saying that some consideration was being given to adding some more hills at the end of the ride. My instinct would be to leave the route as it is. I think at present it is just about perfect.
I am going to sit down over the next few days and add an account of the day in my blog.

cush123

Was a great route and was looking forward to my first 100 miles sportive until I was taken down by another rider about 6 miles from the end of the 62 mile loop. Managed to get my bike and myself back together enough to limp the final part back to the castle.

There was no way I was going out again in the afternoon though.

Great day out and thanks to all concerned in the organisation. Will definitely be back again next year for the 100.

DaveMoss

Results and photos now available on the event web site.