Rolled in at 05:13. A properly hard course with some serious climbing for a Southern Jessy like myself. The rain over the Pentlands was hideous and blowing in my face the whole way. Visibility on the descent was down to a few metres which was a shame as talking to guys who finished today (in the sunshine) it was a belter. Stayed upright all the way and then nearly binned it into the canal on the wet cobbles on the way into Edinburgh. Couldn't feel much by then though - was having to change gear with the heel of my hand by then.

Would I do it again? Definitely.

Provisional results... https://fearlessandunique.wordpress.com ... 5-results/

As well as puncturing in Glentress I also managed to go off route near the bottom for a short while, my gps track shows me shadowing the route on forest roads rather than the single track, somehow I found myself in the "skills area" and couldn't find my way back onto the route proper again, it was either tiredness on my part or the trees blocking the signal but whatever it was left me feeling very frustrated as I struggled to get back on track.

I rolled in at 07:25 after pushing on through the night. Blew my knee at 50 mile and after hitting Peebles decided if I stopped it would probably seize up on me so just carried on peddling. Coming over the Pentlands after Nine Mile Burn was proper grim, sidewards rain and low visibility before hitting the top and realising it was getting light! Some great views through the Pentlands, just a shame the weather was grim at that point.

I kept on getting awoken by peoples brakes squeaking as the entered the single track

Yeh sorry, that was probably me! Just trying to add a bit of atmosphere to Spooky Woods!

First pictures are here, there's more to come. Great bunch of people, glad people loved the route. The approach to Edinburgh will change, I have a great route in mind already which basically cuts out all of the city riding at the end. Have a look here https://www.flickr.com/photos/reizkultu ... 4525523866

The offending puncture. Luckily the slit didn't go through the full length, it had four holes along it, if it had I would of had to get a new tyre from the Glentress bike shop. I would not have been happy with that as......

1. They would have charged me a stupid amount.
2. I have 1/2 dozen tyres sitting at home waiting to be used.
3. I would of had to make the climb all the way to the top of Glentress again.

tyre 001 by youngray50, on Flickr

You need tub tyre thread and a needle - would stitch that up in a jiffy!

htrider wrote:You need tub tyre thread and a needle - would stitch that up in a jiffy!

Tub tyre thread, whats that?

Its the thread you use to sew up tubular tyres after you've unpicked them to extract the tube for repairs - very strong and kits come with a suitably sturdy needle. I got mine from planet X. I also discovered a you tube vid showing how to sew up a rip in a tyre on a tubeless set up without removing the tyre from the rim - haven't got the link but if you google tyre sidewall repair it should come up.

Thanks for that, I'll look into it. Could save me slinging the tyre.

Here is a first reflection, a huge thanks from me who made this happen. Ace weekend of bikepacking in Edinburgh! Some numbers and so on here: https://fearlessandunique.wordpress.com ... eflection/ I have also updated the website now with all information here https://fearlessandunique.wordpress.com/capital-trail/, looking forward to a next edition, still TBC, but mark the 1 November in the diary.

Cheers for that Markus, excellent photos!
1st november?
Oh oh....

That will be the opening for entries, maybe a winter edition for the hardy ones? Tougher than the puffer?

Great stuff Markus!
Well done organising and riding.

We saw you ride down towards Portobello on Wednesday 10th early evening in full monty, but being on foot you were too fast for us.
Things are busy here, preparing for the next trip, so im kind of glad I didn't stay longer although it was very tempting. Looks like I missed a lot.

.......maybe a winter edition for the hardy ones? Tougher than the puffer?