Allan Kelly's TransScotland Blog
This is a series of diary entries sent from my Palm Pilot via
my mobile phone. Hopefully you'll find it interesting... If
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Date: Fri May 25 23:56:32 2007
From: "Allan Kelly"
To: allankelly@gmail.com
Subject: TransScotland Blog
Friday night. Selkirk tomorrow. It's all very real all of a sudden. I shouldn't, but I'm having a glass of wine...
The build-up of training miles has paid off, with 1000 miles under the fixie Pompino wheels in May meaning I daydream up climbs I was teeth-gritting up last year.
And isn't day-dreaming the way of it? I've often been struck after a 2 or 4 hour ride that I wasn't once bored or looking for the end - with "real life" full of urgency and responsibility, it's on the bike that I can leave it all behind.
And so TransScotland. Seven days grinding over bleak, wet, windy moors - or seven days of peace and day-dreaming? The next seven days will tell....
Date: Sat May 26 12:20:48 2007
From: "Allan Kelly"
To: allankelly@gmail.com
Subject: TransScotland Blog
I was supposed to be away by now! Getting my hackablog software working has taken a while...
Granny has arrived to look after the children, Cat's at Cub Camp with baby Katie, the bike's ready & I think I can remember the way to Selkirk - so here we go.
Cheers, al.
Date: Sat May 26 13:17:18 2007
From: "Allan Kelly"
To: allankelly@gmail.com
Subject: TransScotland Blog
Software test. I should be in Selkirk!
Al.
Date: Sat May 26 18:25:36 2007
From: "Allan Kelly"
To: allankelly@gmail.com
Subject: TransScotland Blog
Here we are in Selkirk - and a Big Welcome over the tannoy, the food's ready. It poured for a while about 5, but it's fine now, so relaxing on the folding chair with a Scottish beer - Atlas Nimbus from over near Fort William.
PANIC on leaving home - my gloves went missing. I'm a "never cycle without gloves" guy, and I always use Specialized with the ulnar nerve padding so this was serious! Much swearing later, after emptying the outside bin, my smelly friends were found in a helmet box on the top shelf in the garage. How on earth...
So, I double checked the essentiails - shoes, gloves and helmet present & correct. Off for some pasta I think.
Cheers, al.
Date: Sat May 26 22:46:44 2007
From: "Allan Kelly"
To: allankelly@gmail.com
Subject: TransScotland Blog
I can't get over my new tent having no groundsheet in the porch. It's a Tiso Traveller XT 2-man, and the porch is why I bought it - lots of dry storage. Without a groundsheet I've had to put down bin bags to keep stuff off the wet grass.
Wet it is, pretty steady now. My dry bags are stuffed full of shorts, tops, socks and jackets and I'm really glad I thought to buy bin bags, and bring an umbrella and a hood for the jacket. Wrong shoes though - should have got those Ikea plastic clogs! Overshoes and waterproof socks tomorrow.
The Merida kit bag we've all been given is about half the size of the TransWales kit bags, so that's a minor nuisance. They've said the tent doesn't have to fit so good, but I'm not sure yet what to leave behind. The folding chair is definitely out I think.
The noise from the cricket club disco is pretty terrible, so earplugs in & off to sleep after a good look at the route for tomorrow - it's going to be dreich!
Cheers, al.
Date: Sun May 27 07:04:17 2007
From: "Allan Kelly"
To: allankelly@gmail.com
Subject: TransScotland Blog
A chilly night - and it's pouring this morning. Clothes are the main topic, so it's warm and waterproof head to toe and a big enough pack to put the waterproofs in if it dries up. Time for the final packing decisions then.
I was up peeing 3 times in the night which is unusual. I'll put it down to the chill and wet and hope I'm not ill at all.
5 to 7 hours of riding now, with a slow mass start in the rain through Selkirk and further stops for the organisers to count us out so that we can be counted back in at Moffat. Ah well. Here goes!
Cheers, al.
Date: Sun May 27 16:37:50 2007
From: "Allan Kelly"
To: allankelly@gmail.com
Subject: TransScotland Blog
Stage 1: the sun shines on Moffat. It's been a really black and white day today. Rain in the morning, dry in the afternoon. Hard going through knee-deep mud, lovely hard-pack singletrack. Pushing up vertical hills, great cameraderie with the other riders.
One big mechanical problem today - both front and rear brakes stopped working on a fast descent. Totally out of control, I crash-landed on a grassy bank. They were adjustable back into very effective condition, but I think that's the last straw for the Avid cable disks. I'll see if I can buy new brakes - I'll be lucky but I'll see, can't have that happening again.
Massage booked for half 5, shower queue is hopefully shorter now.
Cheers, al.
Date: Mon May 28 08:53:51 2007
From: "Allan Kelly"
To: allankelly@gmail.com
Subject: TransScotland Blog
Stage 2: ready to go. queue started, 10 mins to go. Dry, steep start. 45km to finish and a race this evening. 5:50 start for me...
Cheers, al.
Date: Mon May 28 14:43:30 2007
From: "Allan Kelly"
To: allankelly@gmail.com
Subject: TransScotland Blog
Stage 2 linking Moffat to Drumlanrig: A beautiful day with some terrific riding, roughly straight up and straight down. Starting with a steady road climb, we were soon pushing again up a gloopy forest break on the Southern Upland Way. From the top, a descent over the heath to the Daer Reservoir and a water stop. Then the Roman Road to Durisdeer - nice clean gravelly climbing and a super-fast descent. Roads to Drumlanrig and a climb to finsh with some rootsy singletrack at about 12:30.
The bike was good again today, the brakes initially a worry after adjusting the chain tension last night. Being singlespeed, this means moving the wheel back slightly and so some quick rear brake adjustment required. Annoying because I had the brakes just right before doing the chain - so do those jobs the other way around in future.
The tubeless set-up was proved today on the Roman Road. Quite a few punctures being fixed as I passed and I would expect to definitely be there too, but in fact lots of high-speed hits and no problems. By the bottom I was really confident and hitting rocky patches full-on. Feels supple and grippy too. All good.
So a sleep now and a race around the singletrack here at 5:50. Could be awkward because it's too narrow for passing, but here I am so here I go. The tent next to me is debating whether to race. In for a penny...
Cheers, al.
Date: Mon May 28 17:04:20 2007
From: "Allan Kelly"
To: allankelly@gmail.com
Subject: TransScotland Blog
Sleep. Ah, needed that! Campsite's very quiet so maybe I'm missing a briefing or something. Wander over for a cup of tea. Glorious sunshine.
Yep, missed it. 10km loop with 3 climbs. Quite a few peope seem to be opting out to be ready for tomorrow's big 100km push down to Dalbeattie. Serious enough.
Under an hour to my start time, so get ready and have time to stretch, drink water and relax before my go. I'm really looking forward to it to be honest. Let's hope I don't regret it on the trail to Dalbeattie.
Cheers, al.
Date: Mon May 28 20:27:31 2007
From: "Allan Kelly"
To: allankelly@gmail.com
Subject: TransScotland Blog
I'm glad I did that! From half way through I was on a mantra: "Trust yourself. Trust the bike. Keep it going. You'll be fine."
Again, the tubeless wheels gripped better than ever and took some big hits with no complaints. Recommended very very highly. And I was a sceptic for so long!
The top team are at 33mins, I'm about 25th in Solo Open at 47mins. Final results soon, plenty of riders finishing after me.
The bike's in the shop getting a rear Deore hydraulic disk brake fitted. Rik had an order there with 2 rears instead of front and rear or I would have taken both. 60 quid to avoid the no-brakes experience from yesterday is very good value!
Lasagne for dinner. Lots of lasagne!
Very long ride tomorrow, taking in both Ae and Mabie. Looks from the route-map to be good surfaces almost all the way. Should be a good day.
Shower. Pay for brake. Massage. Sleep.
Cheers, al.
Date: Mon May 28 22:54:35 2007
From: "Allan Kelly"
To: allankelly@gmail.com
Subject: TransScotland Blog
Batteries low on the palm pilot. Cable on it's way to Castle Douglas via my Dad. May be out of touch for a day...
Cheers, al.
Date: Tue May 29 18:59:37 2007
From: "Allan Kelly"
To: allankelly@gmail.com
Subject: TransScotland Blog
Stage 3: Link Drumlanrig to Dalbeattie, 107km. An epic day with beautiful weather on a mix of natural routes, forest track, road and trails at Ae forest. A big crash for me on the last section in Ae, when I was absolutely flat-out on the downhill and took my eye off the trail when I spotted a photographer. I flew off the big drop all wrong, landed nose-down and hit a tree. The tree's fine. I think I slid on my left side, definitely I hit my head on the tree, saved by the new helmet. Bruised all down my left thigh and my left knee gashed. Could have been a lot worse. Many thanks to Andrew who rode with me to the food stop a few miles down the road. I'd arranged to meet Dad as well, so he was treated to beaten and battered son sitting on the verge mopping his knee.
So that was about half way through, on a day that started with yet more Drumlanrig trails, some we'd seen some not, and then climed a pass up and over on loose but dry tracks. Pretty soon after that the water stop and straight into Ae. I enjoyed Ae more than I usually do despite the very rough surface and over-steep switchback uphills - and then I crashed. I think I mentioned that...
Into Dumfries and wot?! No trails at Mabie. Instead straight through Mabie on fast forest roads. Then roads and more forest roads through Dalbeattie.
Now I'm wondering how this leg will be tomorrow. I may have to skip the special stage in Dalbeattie. I hope not.
Cheers, al.
Date: Tue May 29 22:52:33 2007
From: "Allan Kelly"
To: allankelly@gmail.com
Subject: TransScotland Blog
Presentation. Andy Barlou from The Bike Chain in Edinburgh is winning Male Open. Race tomorrow morning so rooting for my local bike shop guy.
--
Things I never do:
1. Ride with glasses on. For years I've been using disposable contact lenses for off-road. But, every day so far I've forgotten and had to fiddle around with dirty fingers mid-ride. Stupid.
2. Ride without spare inner tubes, at least 2. But now I'm tubeless, and it works so well that for the race yesterday I carried nothing, not even tools, and today in Ae, pinch-flat central, I had no tyre issues at all. I'm carrying 1 day to day just in case. Excellent.
3. Use gears. I just don't. And that's turned out just fine for 1000 miles in May - 1000 road miles on the fixed Pompino that is - and so far for TransScotland on a singlespeed Inbred. I notice others cleaning and pulling lumps of mud out of their gears, I hear their gears crunch and jump, and I just don't need the fuss. Lovely.
4. Fall off. Really, as a rule I don't fall off. But this event, I've been off a fair bit. The shonky brakes caused a couple of offs, but mostly I'm just feeling good and going faster, hence the big off today in Ae. BTW the Young Medic had a look tonight and cleaned up the gash on my knee ignored by Old Medic. So, thanks to YM and I should be OK.
5. Wear armour. But in light of 4. maybe I should re-consider!
6. Write my thoughts down. But this TransScotland Blog is great fun and I know some people are reading it. So, I'll develop the software and see what becomes of the exercise. Maybe I'll stop, maybe continue, maybe make my fortune with hackABlog! Aye, right.
--
Seems that the battery on the Palm Pilot is very temperature dependent. I've had it in my pocket for a while and it's gone up to half full.
--
And so goodnight.
Cheers, al.
Date: Wed May 30 08:37:10 2007
From: "Allan Kelly"
To: allankelly@gmail.com
Subject: TransScotland Blog
Beautiful warm, still morning. A special stage around Dalbeattie forest to start, and a link stage over to Castle Douglas of about 60km.
Stiff this morning after the crash yesterday. The leg's OK, I can turn the pedals, but my left wrist and my chest have developed pain now. I'll go for a ride to see how things loosen up then decide on the race. After the race, it's a 60km twiddle with the only climb towards the end.
Cheers, al.
Date: Wed May 30 21:59:10 2007
From: "Allan Kelly"
To: allankelly@gmail.com
Subject: TransScotland Blog
Stage 4: Dalbeattie to Castle Douglas. A beautiful day of blue skies and light warm winds took us around the Dalbeattie trails and around Criffel with dramatic views of the Solway Firth coast.
I decided I had to do the special stage despite aches and pains, so I had my wrist strapped up and asked for ibupaofen. I was on the start line with the light on amber when the medil finally showed and popped a pill in my mouth! The race was hard, I was very slow, but I did it and I was glad. I was sent off with a cheer today which helped as well.
The route linking to Castle Douglas was initially hard going, but the long climb around Criffel sorted me out and I was back to dropping geared folks on the climbs. Feels like I'm coming back to form.
Dinner and presentations in the farm grain store tonight, the idea of trekking to the Criffel Inn was dropped seeing as it's now wet and windy.
So to sleep. The students in the tent next door have the radio on and I want crisps but I've only got sweet things. There's worse things.
Cheers, al.
Date: Thu May 31 09:02:46 2007
From: "Allan Kelly"
To: allankelly@gmail.com
Subject: TransScotland Blog
Stage 5: Castle Douglas to Moffat. A hazy mild morning after a stormy night. Much better conditions than expected. A special stage in Mabie forest this morning, about 20 mins cycle to the start. After that roads to Ae and a climb up and over to Moffat. I hope the showers are fixed at the rugby club!
My aches and pains appear to be better after yesterday's steady going, so hopefully I'll be a bit faster in the race - but really I'm genuinely just happy to still be in it.
Cheers, al.
Date: Fri Jun 1 00:14:04 2007
From: "Allan Kelly"
To: allankelly@gmail.com
Subject: TransScotland Blog
Stage 5 Castle Douglas to Moffat: Another glorious day of sunshine and light winds. The morning special stage in Mabie took in most of the red route there, the rest covered as we left for the link stage. Long road link to Ae and the red route to above the return downhills. Then forest roads north and some heath linking over to the roads down into Moffat. As I arrived the heavens opened with thunder, lightning and hail. Stayed wet this evening.
Today was very hard going for me. The injury to my left thigh is bruising more and the effort to carry on today was hard going. Still, I had a great time racing in Mabie this morning and I probably really overdid it. Towards the end I got the racing bug and with a rider in front I was chasing and one behind I wanted to keep ahead of, I put down the power and stormed home. A low position in the rankings but a respectable performance.
We had 5 hours to get to Moffat, and I decided that was plenty so I just sat and pedalled away. By the time we were being shaken to bits on the Ae trails rocky surface, I was hanging in there grimly. It was a relief to arrive in Moffat 4 1/2 hours after Mabie.
Ice on the leg and hope that the tough-looking course to Peebles tomorrow isn't too hard. The weather will play a big part.
I'm on at 10:54 PM for tomorrow's night race in Glentress. We'll see how that goes.
Cheers, al.
Date: Fri Jun 1 07:45:46 2007
From: "Allan Kelly"
To: allankelly@gmail.com
Subject: TransScotland Blog
Stage 6 Moffat to Peebles.
Another glorious morning! Last night's rain has gone to leave us with blue skies and warm sunshine. By all accounts the wet will be back later in the day, so carry a jacket but looks like a great start. A hot shower this morning and a big bacon, beans and porridge breakfast has left me looking forward to it.
The route has 5 climbs and looks tough, cutting through the dead centre of nowhere!
Tonight's race could be really bad if it rains, and the chat is of making it to Selkirk.
I iced the leg last night, and there's enogh ice left this morning to ice pack again just now. Hopefully that'll help.
My wrist seems brand new this morning, but I think I'll have it strapped to be sure.
A new pain in my right chest when I try to lift my arm above my head. Can't think how that happened - maybe from writing blog entries in bed!
Cheers, al.
Date: Fri Jun 1 20:40:08 2007
From: "Allan Kelly"
To: allankelly@gmail.com
Subject: TransScotland Blog
Stage 6 link Moffat to Peebles. Sunshine all day.
What a hard day. There was so much pushing up muddy, uneven and steep hillsides. The total time for me was way over the 3pm cut-off, despite going much harder than yesterday.
Some really low points today, including a 5 mile broom wagon lift to the lunch stop after I was dropped off the back after deciding to take a route around a muddy wood. After joining the tail-end, the route seemed to be just loads of pushing up the hills with very brief downs in between.
The ride finished through Peebles and up Janet's Brae to Buzzards Nest then down blue and red to the campsite round the back from the Hub.
Physically I'm pretty OK but mentally I'm worn out now. I'm doing the special stage tonight, but only because I'll regret it if I don't - I could do with a rest.
12 seconds between top solo male Andy Barlow and top male team Beavis and Pugh. It's an average time for the teams tonight, rather than a relay, so Andy's in with a shout. Go Andy!
Cheers, al.
Date: Sat Jun 2 01:09:10 2007
From: "Allan Kelly"
To: allankelly@gmail.com
Subject: TransScotland Blog
Final race stage 6 - night at Glentress: Wow! What an intense experience! I was on at 10:55 and feeling good, getting better all round the course. A beautiful clear night with a huge pink moon and all the stars on show.
The course was the familiar Red climbs combined with some Blue and a lot of fresh-cut rootsy descent. Very fast and intense concentration all round. A great experience, and my body feeling like it's working again.
Andy Barlow has won Solo Men and Beavis and Pugh won Team Men. Congratulations to them and all the others I didn't note tonight.
Tomorrow has 4 climbs - a long route arond GT, then Cardrona forest, then Innerleithen to Minch Moor, and finally the Three Brethren and into Selkirk. Should all be good riding.
Cheers, al.
Date: Sat Jun 2 08:05:54 2007
From: "Allan Kelly"
To: allankelly@gmail.com
Subject: TransScotland Blog
Stage 7: Peebles to Selkirk. Another glorious morning! The star of the show is the weather. Chat this morning is how great last night was. I'm pretty stiff but still on a high from last night's blast.
Looks like I'm 40-somethingth in Solo. So, that's OK for singlespeed me.
We might skip the descent to Broadmeadows apparently - that would avoid the last climb and sounds good to me. We'll see.
Cheers, al.
Date: Sat Jun 2 20:22:12 2007
From: "Allan Kelly"
To: allankelly@gmail.com
Subject: TransScotland Blog
Stage 7 Peebles to Selkirk: And so it is over. The winners have won, the races are run. The weather has treated us to an early summer and all-in-all we've somehow got away with it. The organisation has been great thanks to the fabulous people involved, and all that adds up to a hell of an event.
Today was the best for me - tough but all ridable, wonderful views and a great comradeship. Glentress Black hasn't changed for years and to the bottom of Deliverance it's a non-stop intense journey. Then over Cardrona's gentler trails to Innerleithen and up the Black there. 5 miles of single-speed, single-minded grinding and breathing saw me over rocks I normally falter on, then on and on.
So to Selkirk. The course was shortened on the morning briefing by missing out the the down and up to Broadmeadows. Once we topped out at Minch Moor, it was pretty much flat to Three Brethren and down to Selkirk.
I felt good and bad in waves today until Inners, when the climb grabbed hold of me and I just ground to the top. What a joy. To be able to focus 100 percent on the trail ahead, without fussing with gears or suspension niggles, was glorious. So, I ground up the hill and made more of the rock steps than I do most Sunday mornings. Wonderful.
Tonight it's all smiles in the late evening sunshine as we gather in the bar to swap stories and thank the weather small-gods for our wonderful week.
Huge thanks to the organisers, course markers, marshalls, medics and everyone taking part for one of the most rewarding experiences of my short life on this wonderful planet.
Love to you all.
Cheers, al.
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