As I arranged last years outing I am happy to leave this to someone else to organise if they wish. However my suggestion is 6/7 Dec in keeping with Wales and Northern England. Meet at a pub in Peebles, cycle to Innerleithan and do the Innerleithan xc route (about 20 miles altogether) then kip in Minch Moor bothy (no fireplace but a big fire pit outside, access to wood and sheltered from the prevailing wind). Next morning take the direct route to Kirkhope Law and finish down Gypsy Glen to Peebles (12 miles).
Anyone like to do something different then post it up here.
* Scotland South East-hoping to encourage other get togethers, Glasgow? Aviemore?

Excellent!

Might be tempted by this.

I'm in.

pushbikemike wrote:I'm in.

Can you suggest a pub Mike?

that sounds a nice option than chew's calderdale sortee.

When I was at Glentress in the summer I thought the look out hut at the top of the black route would make a good spot for the night.

composite wrote:When I was at Glentress in the summer I thought the look out hut at the top of the black route would make a good spot for the night.

It was.

Ray Young wrote:

pushbikemike wrote:I'm in.

Can you suggest a pub Mike?

The bridge inn does nice ales.

pushbikemike wrote:The bridge inn does nice ales.

That will do nicely .

What does a 2.30 meet at the pub for a 3.15 to 3.30 start sound like? Gives plenty of time to do the route and still arrive early enough at the bothy to get a good blaze going and make a decent night of it.

Sounds good to me.

I'm tempted by this too. If I do come, I'll be riding down from Edinburgh (Balerno) if anyone wants to join me?

Are you thinking bivi or cram into the bothy?

Bothy, it has 3 single upper bunks and 3 double (but cosy) lower bunks plus space on the floor. Not sure if I'm riding or driving to the start yet.

firedfromthecircus wrote:Might be tempted by this.

I want to do this one aswell

RobMac wrote:

firedfromthecircus wrote:Might be tempted by this.

I want to do this one aswell

Reunion!

Is this still a go'er and are we sticking with the dates, I'm about to make sure I'm not working.

RobMac wrote:Is this still a go'er and are we sticking with the dates, I'm about to make sure I'm not working.

Yes and yes.

GPX track of the route. Minch Moor Bothy is at NT342337. The gpx track of Innerleithen xc course is a close approximation only.

http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/569089600

If you want the route direct from me then my email is youngray50 at gmail dot com.

6/7 Dec, meet at The Bridge Inn, Peebles (west end of the high street) at 2.30 pm for a 3.15 to 3.30 depart. Cycle to Traquair on road, night ride of the Innerleithen xc loop, stay at the bothy, have a big fire, drink, eat, socialise, crash out, cycle back to Peebles via Gypsy Glen.

Who's still up for it?

tree felling closures:

DH Trails: All open
XC Trail: From Wed 22nd Oct to end of Jan 2015, due to tree felling operations the XC Trail is closed (7 days/week) at post 10 (start of Taniel Hill descent), with a diversion rejoining the XC Trail at post 34 (Plora Craig). This reduces the overall distance of XC Trail from 19km to ~10.5km.

jamiep wrote:tree felling closures:

DH Trails: All open
XC Trail: From Wed 22nd Oct to end of Jan 2015, due to tree felling operations the XC Trail is closed (7 days/week) at post 10 (start of Taniel Hill descent), with a diversion rejoining the XC Trail at post 34 (Plora Craig). This reduces the overall distance of XC Trail from 19km to ~10.5km.

Bugger, that's a lot . OK, working on a rethink. Well spotted Jamie .

New route, 20 miles Saturday, 10 miles Sunday.
ESE out of Peebles to Cardrona forest, S through Cardrona to descend Orchard bicycle to Glen House, SW to Glenshiel Banks, S to Blakehope bicycle, NE to pick up the Southern Upland Way to Traquair, E to bothy.
Return to Peebles via Gypsy Glen.
Post a gpx when I can prise the computer off the wife as I can't do it from my tablet.

New route gpx

http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/569211460

Alternate route back, adds six miles, some bike a hike and bog trotting.

http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/569212258

or direct from me at youngray50 at gmail dot com

So who's up for it?

Sounds good to me.

Yep, still on for this, potentially with one or two more. I'm still planning to ride down, which takes a little under 3.5hrs from Balerno to Peebles if there are any takers?

AlasdairMc wrote:Yep, still on for this, potentially with one or two more. I'm still planning to ride down, which takes a little under 3.5hrs from Balerno to Peebles if there are any takers?

I might be up for it, will let you know closer to the time.