Borders 2021 Group Start

[Ray Young]

Five set off from Peebles at 8am this morning with a good weather forecast over the week end. Andrew Broadway Donald McIntosh and Richard Sidney on the 350 whilst Pete Gretton and Colin Todhunter ride the 220 together.

IMG_20210828_080028107 by Raymond Young, on Flickr

link to tracking page - https://new.spotwalla.com/lp/9c2a-edde8 ... L9SLadTFP0

[fatbikephil]

I was thinking of this again Ray but I'm duty manager at work this weekend, hence the glorious weather.
Good luck chaps, looks like a couple of folks have just done the Fruid to Moffat death march....

[Ray Young]

Andrew Broadway and Donald McIntosh look as though they'll finish today but given their equal speed and constant lead changes its hard to say who'll be home first.

[CTodhunter]

Just thought to add a quick update (now I've recovered).

Pete Gretton finished the 220 Monday evening about 10:45pm. Pete and I separated at Hawick and I finally bailed at Selkirk due to lack of beans in the tank (taking gentler roads and the NCR 1 along the tweed)

First night was spent in Greensykes bothy (nice) after a tough first day. The "death march" is correctly named but a special mention goes to Garrogill. 12" pizza in Moffat didn't quite settle !

Second night was slept next to the Lamb Hill Hut. It was full with pennine way walkers who got there first so I became a grumpy man: "Its full", "what do you mean 'full', have you looked?", "Yes", "You must be wrong, I'll have a proper look. F... F...F..." ). Drizzle overnight didnt perk me up. The Olive Tree in Newcastle did a good home made burger. Kielder Castle had a food stall for later (Anglers Arms was limited).

Third day we were desperate for a late breakfast in Jedburgh - "Simply Scottish" did a great "Scottish Breakfast". But by that time I was going slower and slower.

Only "technical issue" was the water filter bag getting a leak on day 1. Getting filtered water was awkward over the Cheviots. A Sawyer micro Squeeze - the bags pop. Need a better bag.

Thanks to Ray for doing it.

[donaldbmcintosh]

Thanks for this Colin - and well done on the ride. I think I saw you as you were getting packed up outside the (full) Lamb Hill bothy, but never noticed your bike until I looked back later. It is a tough old route, covering some very tricky ground, so kudos for pushing on through to the end.

I've done a write-up of my ride for anyone that is interested - https://www.donaldmcintosh.net/bike/borders350-2021

Thanks to Ray for putting the route together and seeing us off. It sometimes seems like the most under-publicised but incredible route ever, a bit of a hidden gem. It was a stunning ride.

[Ray Young]

Great write up Donald, thanks.