Event Locations
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Selkirk (Scotland): 31st July 2010

Road Sportive Challenge (Saturday) followed by the Chain Reaction Cycles MTB Marathon powered by Mercedes-Benz Vito Sport (Sunday)

Selkirk has been very popular over the last few years amongst the Mountain Biker fraternity through being the host town for the MTB Marathons and the TransScotland 2007. Pete Laing is our man on the ground and besides having extensive knowledge of the trail and road network of the Scottish Borders. He works closely with road clubs and road enthusiasts of the region to create a fantastic sportive course which hits the balance between challenging course and breathtaking views just right.

Course details, maps, profiles

Download Course details, maps, profiles Short Course - PDF 600KB

Download Course details, maps, profiles Long Course - PDF 600KB

Course description - More than just 1st class single track
The Selkirk round will give sportive riders a taster of the best roads to be found in the Scottish Borders, with a tough 80 mile circuit that takes in the Tweed, Yarrow and Ettrick valleys. Heading out from Selkirk on quiet back roads, the ride will follow the Tweed River upstream almost to it's source near Tweedsmuir.

Gradually climbing from a start point  elevation of 120m at Selkirk, the road snakes through some marvellous scenery, past such notable heritage sites as Elibank Tower, previously home to 'Muckle Moothed Meg', Traquair Forest, site of many a famous battle on the Downhill tracks and just after the split point, Traquair House, the oldest inhabited dwelling in Britain. Here you can check out the Bear gates, padlocked shut until a Stuart regains the throne, or if you are thirsty pop in for some of the incredibly strong beer that is brewed on the estate.

The 'Standard' and 'Classic' distance split is at the Traquair Village cross-roads. Here the shorter route heads south over 'The Paddy Slacks' an easy gradient, 354m pass to Yarrow Valley and the feed station at the Gordon Arms Hotel. The 80 mile Classic option continues west along the Tweed Valley through Peebles to the first feed stop at Beggarpath Bridge and on past Stobo Castle (hideout of the rich and occasionally obese), the famous Dawyck Gardens (pronounce it if you can …ok it's 'doick') and on to join the A701 for a gradual climb to Tweedsmuir. Watch out for fast motorcycles on this stretch.

At Tweedsmuir the route turns south via Talla Reservoir (The dam is a fine example of Victorian engineering in the 'Scots Baronial' style) towards the rolling hills of Yarrow, but before you get there, a minor obstacle awaits; the infamous 25% climb up the slopes of Fanna Hill to the Megget Stone, probably the steepest road in the south of Scotland. The reward for 15 mins of slow-motion pedalling up to an elevation of 450m, is a long, fast spin alongside Megget Reservoir, St Mary's Loch and the Yarrow river before turning south for the second big climb of the day, 'The Berrybush'. Just before you start uphill, at the Gordon Arms Hotel junction you will find the 2nd feed stop of the day and this is also the point where the Standard course re-joins The Classic.

The 'Berrybush' is another easy gradient pass that tops out at 376m, before dropping down to Tushielaw in the quiet Ettrick Valley. The descent is great fun but please be aware that sheep will be wandering about on the road. From here it's a blast back to Selkirk on the B7009, a fantastic swoopy road with good tarmac and loads of short, big-ring rises. Those with reasonably fresh legs will have a ball on this smooth, valley-floor B road.

Road Sportive Challenges
The Selkirk road sportive will be run on the Saturday of the event weekend with an open start from early in the morning onwards. Following the huge trend of non-competitive road events the Road Sportives are trying to set themselves apart from the rest by offering a high quality event package with outstanding courses and first class support around the course plus all inclusive camping, parking, facilities, event meal and finisher present…pretty much the same deal the riders of the marathon series have been enjoying since the very beginning. 

Two courses to choose from:
The Selkirk Road Sportives Challenges will have two courses on offer – an approx. 80-100mile and an approx.40-50mile loop. The Road Sportives are run very similarly to the MTB marathons by being one loop events with the start and finish being in the same location as the event village, registration and event camping.

Due to legal reasons the Sportives will be started in small waves of riders at set intervals. The start will open at a certain time and will stay open for approximately 1.5 hours to give everybody the chance to have a relaxing start at the time of their choosing.

The courses are fully marked but every rider will get a small ‘backup map’ given in case that marking is not 100% clear or gets damaged or removed. Around the course our energy food sponsor High5 will be present with energy drinks, bars, and gels as well as with bananas and water. Alongside the energy backup, mechanics will be out there to help everyone with any technical problems. The feeding stations are normally between 25-35miles apart but should not be relied upon as the sole source of your food and drink.

Once you’ve managed to complete your ride and come over the finish line make sure you don’t just race past the commentator and the timing crew as you would miss out on your unique finisher present and on your chances of getting one of the many spot prizes that we will give away again.

Camping, registration and start time:
Camping will be available (included in the entry fee) from Friday night through to Monday morning at the Selkirk Rugby Club in Selkirk.

Start times:
The Road Sportive Challenges will start 8.30am onwards on Saturday the 31st July 2010 at the Selkirk Rugby Club in Selkirk.
 
Registration opening times:
Friday from 6 – 9pm
Saturday from 7am - 8pm (Please note: from 6 - 9am only road sportive riders can register) 
Sunday from 7 - 9am

Entry fees:
The entry fee for the approx. 50 and100mile long Road Sportive Challenge is £25 per rider.

Discount: If you enter the road sportive on Saturday and the mountain bike event on Sunday (at the same weekend) then we will give you a £10 discount on your over all entry fee.

Your entry fee for the Road Sportive Challenge includes:
Ride entry
Free post event coffee/tea & cake
Free usage of service stations
Free usage of facilities
Finishing present
Free camping and parking
Spot prizes

Location and our man on the ground:
The Selkirk Rugby Club is the location for the Selkirk round of the Road Sportive Challenge (31st July) and the Chain Reaction Cycles MTB Marathon powered by Mercedes-Benz Vito Sport. (1st August).

Our man in Selkirk is Peter Laing who is renowned for his excellent course and trail building. For the last four years running the event in Selkirk was the most loved by the riders and this is certainly down to the excellent skills Peter has been showing over the years. He also has an extended knowledge of the road network of the borders and works closely with local road riding clubs and speortive enthusiasts to create one of the best courses of the Sportive series. If you haven’t done this one yet (road or MTB) it is worth the trip!
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SELKIRK Event 4 – ROAD SPORTIVE & CHAIN REACTION CYCLES MTB MARATHON
The ancient and Royal Burgh of Selkirk stands high above the Ettrick and Yarrow Valleys. Sir Walter Scott served as sheriff here for 33 years and his former courtroom features a fascinating audio-visual presentation telling the story of Scott's associations with the area and its people.

Halliwell's House, the town's oldest dwelling, is now the local museum, with the building's links with the ironmongery trade recreated, and the Robson Gallery providing a venue for exhibitions. Clapperton's Daylight Photographic Studio is a working museum and photographic archive.

Visitors to the town can enjoy free parking, and local publications include a Town Plan, Town Trail, mini-guide and countryside walks. Selkirk Common Riding in June is recognised as one of the oldest of the Border Festivals, with a tradition going back to the Battle of Flodden in 1513, with as many as 400 riders taking part. The town's industrial background is reflected in the number of specialist tweed outlets, whilst local glass works offer the chance to buy products and see skilled craftsmen at work.

Three miles west is Bowhill House, a Georgian mansion, with woodland walks and an adventure playground in the extensive grounds. Its Little Theatre hosts drama and music performances.

The twin valleys of Ettrick and Yarrow contain some of the most glorious scenery in the Scottish Borders, with St Mary's Loch, Southern Scotland's largest stretch of water.

The area's rich heritage provided inspiration for such writers as Sir Walter Scott and James Hogg. In the old byres of 16th Century Aikwood Tower, an exhibition features the life and work of James Hogg, known as 'The Ettrick Shepherd'.
Local places of interest include Aikwood Tower, Bowhill House & Country Park, Halliwell's House Museum and Robson Gallery, Sir Walter Scott's Courtroom, Lindean Mill Glass, Selkirk Glass, Selkirk Golf Club (9 hole), The Woll Golf Course (9 hole), Swimming Pool and Fitness Centre.

Local Information
For information about local services and accommodation please get in touch with the local Tourist Information Centres and check out the local web sites.

SELKIRK
Tel: 0870 6080404
Fax: 01750 21886
Email: info@scot-borders.co.uk
Address:
Halliwells House
Selkirk
TD7 BL
Web: www.scot-borders.co.uk
www.selkirk.bordernet.co.uk