Moulin 200

finally have the route finished for this, all interested parties let me know, and I'll send you the necessary details.


here's what to expect.

hell of the tweed

1100: 7 VCMers roll out to tackle the inaugral 'Hell of the Tweed' ride. 1102: Greigs crank parts company with bike. 1115: replacement bike sorted and back on our merry way.

Several gates negotiated then onto the main climb of the day up Glensax Valley. Then the 'hell' part, a 45min humph a bike upto Birkscairn Hill. I'm regretting bringing my jumpy (hefty) bike. Simon talks lots and my mind forgets about the humphing. It's a sod of a climb but the others are polite after a few varying line choices we all make the ridge.

Bit more climbing to the summit of Birkscairn, then rutty,rapid, rocky, holey goodness down the other side. Ian seems well chuffed with the descent. Climbing again upto Kirkhope Law then descend,descend descend; Chris M 'rails' the ruts in front with style and speed. Happy. Cheeky little ridge addition with nadge, narrow, heather singletrack descent and back on to the main track.

Gates opened for uninterrupted descending bring more smiles. Brief panic over a dropped phone then relief as Chris D finds it sitting around the front of his gilet! Lucky!

A final little loop of some trails in Southpark woods to finish the legs off then back for the last 30km of Paris Roubaix and food.

Thanks to Marty, Chris M, Chris D, Simon, Ian and Greig for coming down and for being so polite about the bloody hike a bike! and to Rossie for the food.

Hell of the Tweed, Sun 10th April

There won't be a cobble in sight and it certainly won't be hellish, but it'll hopefully be a lot of fun.

Yep, on the same day as Paris-Roubaix and hot on the heels of the first VCM monument ride of the year, comes the inaugural VCM 'Hell of the Tweed' off road ride.

The parcours will suit CX or MTB's and will take in some of the finest au naturale trails in and around Peebles as well as a jaunt down Gypsy Glen from the rarely used* 'western approach' or more rideable eastern approach (updated!).

Here's a wee taster:

Local trails ala cx from Andy Wardman on Vimeo.

10am meet at my flat, which looks out onto the Kingsmeadows Road carpark in Peebles, for a 1030 ish start. 3-4hrs or so pedal (gentleman's pace), then soup, cakes, coffee after at mine and a dodgy web feed of the final of Paris - Roubaix.

Holla back if this tickles your fancy.

cheers! andy

*with good reason - involves 45min hike a bike to get up to ridge..