The before
The drive up this time wasn’t too bad especially as we broke the journey in Kendal to check out one of the many fell running shops where Mr M successfully managed to wangle another pair of trail running shoes into his life – a bit like the male equivalent of Carrie Bradshaw’s Manolo fetish. We arrived at the B&B in what can only be described as heavy Scotch mist and every stream and river that we passed was busting to the brim - there had certainly been a fair amount of recent rainfall!! After a good night’s sleep we awoke to only moderate Scotch mist so after packing away a five course breakfast we set off for a couple of hour jaunt on foot up the Glen before heading off to Kirroughtree for a pre-ride and to register.

As we drove over though Galloway Forest (Scotch mist was still moderate at this point) I lost count of all the trails shooting off here there and everywhere, it was like being in a sweet shop and not knowing what to choose first.

We arrived at the trail head and I have to admit that a little bit of panic had now crept in as I’m no trail goddess (not even in my dreams) and I knew this would be technically challenging for this (relatively) southern softie. I managed to swallow my panic though when out came my trusty Soda that had done me soooo proud at Fort William and off we duly headed around the ten-mile course to check out what to expect. Well, what can I say?

It was indeed really challenging with slippery roots, rocks of all descriptions, switchback climbs and eye-watering fast descents but honestly, to be allowed this much fun in the space of ten miles surely isn’t allowed? I had now officially joined the ranks of the “totally rocks”, “awesome” and “single-track heaven” brigade and I just couldn’t wait for the race to start so I could go round again and again!!



Race day
I awoke feeling a little bit sorry for myself as I forgot to mention that I had executed an over the bars Kermit the frog dismount knees down onto the rocks during practice on Friday but as I promised Mr M that I wouldn’t go on about it any more, lets just leave it at that shall we.

Mr M himself packed away another monster breakfast marathon whereas I ate like a bird (squiffy race-day tummy) and we duly arrived at the start with plenty of time to set up our home for the day.

The event was on a slightly smaller scale to Ten under the Ben but with the same cool party atmosphere that No Fuss Events seem to have captured so well. In hindsight this was in fact a good thing as with a huge proportion of single-track (70% of the course), a bigger number of riders would have maybe been a bit of a problem.


The race itself went like a dream!! Mr M went off first for the slightly shorter first lap melee and then we just took it in turns until ten laps and ten hours later it was all over. There was no Scotch mist to speak of and even the midges seemed to be on holiday somewhere else for most of the time!!
The banter with the Scotties on the course was hilarious. One guy I kept seeing was ribbing me “where’s your full bouncer lassie?” to which I finally silenced him by saying that I’d actually left it at home because I preferred riding my Soda. Then Mr M was asked if he was wearing the infamous Avon midge-repellent Skin-so-Soft as apparently he smelt like a girl and finally the funniest one of all was the usual “where have you come up from?” (It’s clearly that obvious I was riding like a southern softie) and when I told him he said, “what do you need a mountain bike down there for?” I can’t really blame him though, if I lived up there I don’t think I would bother venturing too far south all that often!!!



And it’s all over

Here’s a funny over the line moment being accosted by Spook for my timing chip whilst being tugged in the other direction towards the Benromach whisky. Did I mention that you get actual whisky for finishing? Dream event sponsor huh!

So that’s it then, the second of our awesome Scottish race experiences done and in our opinion they have each been well worth the travelling distance to get to.

Next biking adventure is, well, I haven’t actually decided yet but as soon as I know then I’ll be posting it up here! In the meanwhile I’m thinking maybe the local Strawberries & Cream Five Miler (feet not wheels) in a couple of weeks so I’d better be getting some practice in (that’ll be running practice, not eating Strawberries & Cream of course!).

Bye for now and Happy Outdoorsiness!

Links: www.nofussevents.co.uk