Had a social engagement last night so overnighter was never on the cards. Maybe should have taken the sleep kit just as a trial...
Nevertheless, I had a great wee spin down Peebles way, starting near the Hydro, climbing up into Glentress forest following Soonhope burn, the track brought me out part way along the black climb. A grind up to the mast, quick bite to eat then took the fire road immediately left after the mast, and it suddenly felt like I was miles away from anywhere...
Flying down this undulating road I noticed the front wheel was a bit 'wandery' and sure enough investigations revealed sealant percolating at the rim. So out with the Lezyne and blasted it up as hard as I could and that seemed to do the trick. Another couple of Kms if this road led to an ace wee tree covered alley, pine trees all but obscuring the sky, and the carpet of discarded needles meant concentration was needed to get down the steep gradient. Nearly overshot the turn off here, I was having so much fun, but just caught it in time.
The turnoff was over an heavy locked shut gate and out of the forest, into the high sheep farms that run along side the Peebles-Edinburgh road. Not that you'd know it from up there, not a soul around(do sheep have souls?) and utterly silent except for bird song.
A few wee burns were crossed without incident then a climb around what was to be the first of a few old drove roads, and I was met with a great view of the Pentlands in the distance with Portmore Loch reservoir in the foreground. I'm not sure why I didn't stop for a photo at this point, I must've been thinking of my lunch I think...anyway I dropped down and followed a nice wee track around the water's edge and followed the track pretty much all the way down to Eddlestone village and my designated lunch stop.
It was here, on a bench by a bus stop, I was presented with an almighty dilemma: namely sitting there tucking into my cheese sandwich I became all too aware of diners watching me from the windows of the Horshoe inn over the road. I had my credit card in a zip pocket, I could wander in, devour a lovely hot meal and a welcome pint before carrying on. Why not? Well, I'm glad to report I resisted, finished my piece, had some banana and got back on.
From here the route takes you high up the hill behind the Barony hotel, and onto another, longer section of old drove road towards the Meldons. Bit of a headwind up there, meant progress was slower than ideal but soon I crossed the Peebles-Glasgow road at Lyne station. Here it was a gentle section through the trees alongside the Tweed, before another climb this time on minor roads travelling between paddocks full of horses and donkeys.
It wasn't long before I was at the foot of the day's final climb, signposted part of the John Buchan Way which was to take me right up to the top of Cademuir hill. A quick wonder at the 360' views and the old hill forts and it was on to The Gack, this is a bit of a spidery maze of trails through old woodland. Ideal way to finish, a great bit of downhill which spits you out into a new housing development on the outskirts of Peebles itself. From there it was a quick buzz down to the riverside car park and home.
Anyway a great way to spend a few hours, and given how close to towns I was, some splendid isolation. I think I counted four, maybe five people all day not including those in Peebles or Eddlestone.
My frame luggage was great, the freedom to ride without a backpack is something I've been after for ages. My one glaring error though was only taking one water bottle. And putting a hydration tablet in there. I had my brew kit with me but no water to boil up. School boy error. But that was really the point of this, to try and help me better prepare for bigger trips further along the line.
Kit List
Frame Bag
Map and route notes
Phone
Car keys
Wallet
Spare lighter
Lezyne mini track pump
Banana
Cereal bar
Tangfastic
Cheese and ham sandwich
Saddle bag
Emergency tube
Tyre leveres
Patches
Power link
Power link tool
Snowpeak Ti pot and mug
Pocket rocket stove
Swedish fire stone firelighter
Montane wind proof
Bottle cage on fork leg with 750ml bottle
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