2018 Borders 350/Borders 220 group start, register now.

[Ray Young]

161 by youngray50, on Flickr

Registration for the Borders 350 and the new Borders 220 group start are now open. That distance is miles, not kilometers.
The start date is Saturday, 7 July, 8 am for both events at the same start point.
Max 50 riders for both events combined, first come, first served.
All the usual self supported rules apply as found on Self Supported UK. http://selfsupporteduk.net/
Email me at borders350itt@gmail.com for entry and tell me your full name and which event you want to enter.
Entrants will be sent an up to date gpx. If you want just want a route gpx email me as above but clearly state you only want the route and not an entry.

The 350 is gaining a well earned reputation for being a hard route and has to date had only one completion however I believe some solo attempts are in the offing. A four day completion would be very good going but I just know someone will do it in three.
The 220. An easier start and no Eastern loop makes this a very nice route, I seriously believe a top rider will do this in under two days, three would still be good going.

The 220
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/1938400409
The 350
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/1938413834

[Ray Young]

Well this year is looking promising with 12 entries in just a few days. 6 for the 350 and 6 for the 220.

[pushbikemike]

[fatbikephil]

Email sent.....

[Ray Young]

Thanks Phil, will email you the route later.
350x8, 220x7, =15 entrants, .

[restlessshawn]

I am tempted by the 220 but since I don't really care how fast I go I'd be better avoiding the group start?

[fatbikephil]

Long as you follow the self supported rules go at whatever pace you feel like.
I'll not be going fast......

[benconnolli]

I have entered 220 as my first ITT taking the week off work with any excess time wandering round more of the beauty of Scotland. Aiming much more for a happy completion that a gritted DNF

[Ray Young]

I have entered 220 as my first ITT taking the week off work with any excess time wandering round more of the beauty of Scotland. Aiming much more for a happy completion that a gritted DNF

Glad to have you aboard and I'm sure you'll enjoy it as it passes through some great scenery. There are three bothies on route that may be of use to you. Greensykes NT312000, Spithope NT768056 and Yearning Saddle mountain refuge hut, also known as Lamb Hill Refuge Hut, NT804129.
Afterwards there is some great riding to be had around Peebles and Innerleithen both natural and forest trails.
Prepare for midges, not as bad as some parts of Scotland but can be annoying non the less.

[AlasdairMc]

I have entered 220 as my first ITT taking the week off work with any excess time wandering round more of the beauty of Scotland. Aiming much more for a happy completion that a gritted DNF

Glad to have you aboard and I'm sure you'll enjoy it as it passes through some great scenery. There are three bothies on route that may be of use to you. Greensykes NT312000, Spithope NT768056 and Yearning Saddle mountain refuge hut, also known as Lamb Hill Refuge Hut, NT804129.
Afterwards there is some great riding to be had around Peebles and Innerleithen both natural and forest trails.
Prepare for midges, not as bad as some parts of Scotland but can be annoying non the less.

There's also Kershopehead at around mile 105.

Is it right that the GPX has different start/finish points or has a point been missed off the route start and end?

[Ray Young]

There's also Kershopehead at around mile 105.
Is it right that the GPX has different start/finish points or has a point been missed off the route start and end?

The route runs up the opposite side of the burn from Kershopehead Bothy. Are Kershope Burn and the woods easy enough to navigate to the bothy from that side?
Yes, the gpx has different start and finish points, it's not an error.

[AlasdairMc]

It looks like it's clear cut from the route to Kershopehead, but that was me looking on Google Earth instead of being on the ground. I like the look of the 220, it seems like a nice route for a long weekend.

Thanks for the update on the route, good to know. The start looks like it's on the cycle path to Innerleithen just at the junction with the road up Janet's Brae?

[restlessshawn]

I've crossed the burn to get to Kershopehead a few years back, it was a bit of a scramble down / up but I didn't die. Usual disclaimers apply...

[Ray Young]

It looks like it's clear cut from the route to Kershopehead, but that was me looking on Google Earth instead of being on the ground. I like the look of the 220, it seems like a nice route for a long weekend.

Thanks for the update on the route, good to know. The start looks like it's on the cycle path to Innerleithen just at the junction with the road up Janet's Brae?

Some parts of Kershopehead Burn can be difficult to cross due to the steepness of the banks but the forest does look to be clear cut at that point. I must try to check it out at some time.

I think the 220 will be very popular, a lot of the hard stuff taken out but still some great scenery and like you say, doable over a long weekend.

Yes, the start is on the Innerleithen cycle path for both. Starting the 220 there just makes it easier for me.

[Ray Young]

I've crossed the burn to get to Kershopehead a few years back, it was a bit of a scramble down / up but I didn't die. Usual disclaimers apply...

Thanks restless. (I can never remember the correct spelling of your name).

[Ray Young]

I am tempted by the 220 but since I don't really care how fast I go I'd be better avoiding the group start?

You'd be more than welcome going at your own pace as there is no cut off point timewise.

[restlessshawn]

I've crossed the burn to get to Kershopehead a few years back, it was a bit of a scramble down / up but I didn't die. Usual disclaimers apply...

Thanks restless. (I can never remember the correct spelling of your name).

Yeah it wasn't planned, more "oh feck the bothy is on that track not this one"

[benconnolli]

Cheers for the info and encouragement. I am well excited about this you know

[restlessshawn]

Just looking at the 220 route, @ 169 miles I would be only 5 miles from my house, comfy bed, beer...that's cruel

[Ray Young]

Things are looking very promising for this year. So far 10 entrants for the 350 and 8 entrants for the 220 plus whatever I choose to do.

Stu, thanks for the heads up in your news letter.

I'll be posting something up soon regards facilities and some navigational pointers for the routes.

[Blair512]

Email winging its way for the 220 Ray, I better go do some cycling now eh!

[Rob A]

Are the routes linked at the start of this thread the finalised ones or there likely to be any alterations?

[Ray Young]

Are the routes linked at the start of this thread the finalised ones or there likely to be any alterations?

Hi Rob, these are the finalised routes.

[Rob A]

Cheers Ray, I shall start having a look what I've got myself into!

[Ray Young]

Just 8 weeks to the start. Plenty of places left if anyone is considering it. Currently 10 doing the 350 and 7 doing the 220 with a couple of maybes who haven't decided yet. Route facilities and some navigational advice being posted on the Facebook page soon.