AndyRoss

14 riders entered the event on a cool, blustery morning. Results as follows.
Andy Ross 00:02:34   Colin Edgar 00:02:25   Diane Gray 00:02:48   Chris Marsh 00:01:54   Ritchie Provan 00:01:53   Rob Gunson 00:01:34    2 James Ross (J) 00:01:53   Murray Gray (J) 00:01:56   Evan Marsh (J) 00:01:58   Fraser Anderson (J) 00:02:18   Ruari Mulholland (J) 00:02:18   Sam Edgar (J) 00:01:43   3 Jamie Thomson (J) 00:01:27    1 Jann Lapsley (Ebike) 00:01:45    
Congratulations to Jamie on retaining his title from last year, and to Jann as the first ebike entry to take part. Maybe next year, we can have a few more ebikes taking part.
Well done to all the riders, this really is a brutal little climb.
Big thanks also to our Marshalls and timekeepers on the day, and to the support.

Also switch off road feel , it slows you down

In our goal to qualify for Paris Brest Paris Myself, Davie B and David C headed down to Galashiels for the 400(420)km out and back to Barnards Castle. We stuck together until the Barnard Castle the half way mark and then Davie B continued at a faster pace with a couple of guys we had met and  David C and I started the dusk Wet Climb over some Moss hill.
Through the damp night we rode but! it was a balmy 12 degrees so it was not too bad. We did encounter few kms of road with 100s of frogs on it which passed the time trying not to squash any, which we managed! Until I heard David shout! -1 frog bless his soul, a few minutes later a Huge Rat ran into David's wheel but he managed to stay upright, I used to have a Rat her name was "Otago" David loves my patter. It was about then 3am? that Davids Knee started to hurt and our energy levels were very low, luckly we passed through lockerbie and had only 20km to a 24 hour with a service stop, I'm not a big fan of McDonalds but I was tonight. After about 5mins cycling David convinced me that the service station was here?? "Look" he said and pointed towards a BP sign behind some trees, But we stil had had 20km to go? I wasnt going to argue with him or his shiney new Wahoo gps, a few minutes later we got to a Service stop only to find it was the wrong one and nothing was open(Hammock Award Contender), a few swears were jokingly exchange and we rode on to McDonalds. Once we got there David went for a Sleep and I changed out of my wet clothes. I tried to sleep but people were intent on talking to me even though my eyes were closed, but best McDonalds I ever had, I even ate David's leftovers once he fell asleep. 
Back on the bike and back into the rain, With Davids Knee and my development of what I can only describe as "the worse butt pain in the world ever®" we took a nice steady pace back the last 100km.. the sun came out near the end and we were greeted by fried egg and bacon sandwiches by the organisers. A quick shower and off back up the road, I told David I would stay awake on the journey home as he was driving, I think I lasted abut 5mins.
Started at 9:00am finished next day at 10:17am 
Distance : 419.91km    Time pedaling 18:48:33     Elevation 3,922m
Avg Speed    22.3km/h    Elapsed Time    25:17:05
Anyhow only a 600km to do to qualify, To be honest i thought these would be easier than they are... yes they are physically draining but it really is all in the mind. Thanks for the company Lads

First of all, Thank you Darryl for suggesting/organising this Sportive & all the Wheelers & friends for another very memorable day indeed on the bike!
I wouldn't have thought about doing this if it wasn't for Darryl's idea, since all I do these days are flat & cobblily :-) ............. but I'm glad I did this even though as everyone have said - it's brutal  !
It's been a long time since I've done a "local sportive", probably have to go back to 2012 now, so it was a great reminder that there are still some brilliant events to be ridden without crossing the Channel.
It might not have the glitz & glamour of bigger, more internationally recognised foreign events, but what it lacks is made up for by the warm reception (everyone I met, locals/marshalls helpers etc all had a smile on their faces) friendly atmosphere ........ & less riders to elbow out the way at feed stations 
In my opinion, this was an extremely well organised event with some lovely scenery & some of the hardest climbs I've ever done 
I've lost count of the times 20/21% gradient reading shown on my Garmin & these were always at the end of some long constant 10,12, 14, 16% slopes. Every time I ask Darryl, how many more climbs, he just said "........... only 1 more"  ........ I know full well that it was not true ........ but somehow want it to be so!
What also pleasantly surprised me was the conditions of the roads we drove & rode on, it was actually quite good without too much pot holes or broken surfaces, that was very welcome indeed, especially the brilliant & long but fairly technical descents. Which was great because after everyone climbs, the long down hills would munch away the km's, bringing us closer back to the finish!
It goes without saying that I had a great time - thanks also to Gerard for pick-up & drop off & to my travel companions .............
P.S We were lucky with the weather, because I dare to think what it would be like if it was windy & wet 
Cheers

James Ross, a jet, will be there for the 1st time tonight, and I shall come along if any help needed.
Andy Ross

We will bring the consent form along.

James Ross, a jet, will be there for the 1st time tonight, and I shall come along if any help needed.
Andy Ross

For attention of Ian Carvill & Jon Branson, Glen Irving, Alex McLean and Scott Johnstone (or anyone seeing this who can contact them). 
A reminder that payment for Flanders accomodation is due this Friday, 15th February,
Thanks Andy. 

Money received, thanks. 

Hello George Donnelly, Paul Leavy, Iain Carvill, Glen Irving, Alex McLean & Scott Johnstone.
Gents, accomodation balance now needs paid for Flanders, total cost is only £73 per person. (approx £12 will be returned after gas/elec paid, and no damage!)
Please pay into account 00092786, sort code 11-09-35, by 15th Feb, so I can pay the accomodation. 
Iain Carvill, can you pass these details to your brother-in-law Jon. 
Thanks,
Andy. 

Hello George Donnelly, Paul Leavy, Iain Carvill, Glen Irving, Alex McLean & Scott Johnstone.
Gents, accomodation balance now needs paid for Flanders, total cost is only £73 per person. (approx £12 will be returned after gas/elec paid, and no damage!)
Please pay into account 00092786, sort code 11-09-35, by 15th Feb, so I can pay the accomodation. 
Iain Carvill, can you pass these details to your brother-in-law Jon. 
Thanks,
Andy. 

Iain, he's on the list as "Iains brother-inlaw", but now I have his name :) 
Andy Ross

Gents, I am finalising costs for flanders accomodation, as all beds are now taken (unless grown-up share doubles), so shout now if any changes.
Names I have are Chung, George Donnelly, Paul Leavy, Ian Carvill (+brother-in-law), Glen Irving, Alex Mclean and Scott Johnstone.
Costs and payment details to follow later this week. 
Andy Ross

Gents, I am finalising costs for flanders accomodation, as all beds are now taken (unless grown-up share doubles), so shout now if any changes.
Names I have are Chung, George Donnelly, Paul Leavy, Ian Carvill (+brother-in-law), Glen Irving, Alex Mclean and Scott Johnstone.
Costs and payment details to follow later this week. 
Andy Ross

Ok, I have added glen Irving, George, Iain C & brother-in-law and Paul L to the accomodation list.
Andy Ross

Ok, I have added glen Irving, George, Iain C & brother-in-law and Paul L to the accomodation list.
Andy Ross

No problem george. 

The accomodation we have booked has room for up to 40 people, so we have plenty of spare room
Andy Ross

The accomodation we have booked has room for up to 40 people, so we have plenty of spare room
Andy Ross