Whyte riders Andy Barlow and Steve Heading both took part in the inaugural TransScotland race, with Andy winning the Solo category. Here are their reports:

Whyte Racing’s Andy Barlow celebrates his solo TransScotland victory (Pic: Andy’s mum)

Andy Barlow

Wow – what a week I’ve just had. Five hundred kilometres of some of the most beautiful trails Scotland has to offer, back to back, every day for seven days straight. Fantastic!

The guys at MTB Events Ltd did an amazing job of organizing the first ever TransScotland race.

The format was simple: seven ‘Linking Stages’ (to get the miles in) that would take us around a variety of natural and man-made trails. And four ‘Special Stages’ where you could make up time on the competition. Kind of like MTB Time Trials if you like.

Everybody got the same times for the Linking Stages, as long as you didn’t go over the allowed time, and tried to save their legs for the ‘Specials’, where they could go for it.

It was a format that meant you could actually stop and take in the amazing views, instead of having to race through the countyside, staring at the wheel in front with sweat dripping off your chin.

It also meant you could get to know some of the other competitors – some of whom had come from places like South Africa, Hong Kong, Germany, Belgium and even sunny old England.

The first stage was a link from Selkirk to Moffat, and the scene was set almost immediately when after less than ten minutes on the road, we turned off and on to some SWEET single track that wound its way down through the woods and over the odd ‘skinny’ here and there. The smiles on everyone’s faces were infectious as we all realised that this was going to be a different kind of event.

After a damp night in a tent, we all packed up our kit and set off at 9am. I think most people were trying to save themselves for the afternoon’s Special Stage, but we pressed on to get a good camping spot, and to avoid any queues for the showers.

The first Special was to be held in the grounds of Drumlanrig Castle, and after over a hundred kilometres in our legs so far, the event was already starting to take its toll.

I know the grounds of Drumlanrig pretty well, or at least the kind of things to expect, so I just pointed the Whyte 19 along the single track, and went for it. You had to keep your eyes peeled for arrows pointing you down the right track, as the woods have hundreds of trails crossing each other, but as long as you were careful you could follow them well.

After thirty five minutes I crossed the line fifteen seconds ahead of the closest solo, and took the win. My Mum, who had come down from Edinburgh as my race support, was rewarded by seeing her ‘wee laddie’ receiving the leader’s jersey (which she later had to wash).

The third day was the long one. Over 100km, and almost all of it off road. Some of the trails through Ae Forest were so bumpy that for the first time in ages I was wishing for a full susser. This stage was all about damage limitation, but I couldn’t help nailing some of the amazing tracks on offer. I was rewarded at the end of the day by a leg massage and an early night. The miles were starting to add up.

Wednesday morning was the second Special Stage, this time in Dalbeattie. As I was seeded well, I was off at thirty seconds past nine – so no lie in for me.

The track was hard-packed and fast with long fire road stretches – totally different from Drumlanrig, and the sun had come out as well. A quick last minute tyre change for a pair of Razors, and I was away. Ben, the guy in second, was setting off thirty seconds behind me. But with only a fifteen second lead I knew that if he caught me, my lead was gone. I absolutely buried myself on the pedally sections and after thirty minutes or so, crossed the line with the fastest time of the day – managing to beat all the teams as well.

A Whyte 19 Race with a pair of Razors is a combination that’s hard to beat on firm trails. And as it turned out, a good tyre for the rest of the day as well: with lots of fire roads and stretches of road.

After some atrocious weather in New Abbey during the night, we awoke on Thursday morning to relatively clear skies. Once again we were racing first thing. A quick tyre change on the front for a Tubeless Fire XC, and I was once again away. The tyre choice was perfect, but my legs were really starting to feel the K’s. Second place on the Special, but I kept my lead by over two minutes. After a spot of lunch we were off again to Moffat Rugby Club for another comfortable evening on their pitch.

Friday’s weather was just great. Blue skies and warm winds once again had us arrive in Peebles with a tail wind. There was a bit of a panic near the end of the stage as everyone started to feel the cut off time looming, but after a quick chat to some of the local 7Stanes riders, they assured us that there wasn’t far to go. Sure enough, in no time we were plummeting down the Gypsy Glen and down in to Peebles for the Special Night Time Stage at Glentress.

After pre-riding the course and fitting my Lupine light we were off. This was my first time using the Lupine, and I was blown away with just how bright it was. I had no problems seeing where I was going so just rode as I would during the day. Going into the event I had a two and a half minute lead on Ben, but was only twelve seconds down on the leading Team. I knew that even if Ben caught me all I had to do was stick on his wheel and he would never make up enough time. But instead I decided to try and catch the pair that set off in front of me. I overtook one of them after about ten minutes, but started to feel the pace on the climb to the top and he got past me again. I just went for it on the natural downhill section they had included and almost came a cropper when I lost control on some slippery roots. I composed myself and decided to just play it safe.

After all: to finish first, first you have to finish!

I crossed the line and had a look around for the timing board. Ben came in behind: eleven seconds up on me – but I still had the win overall by over two minutes.

The final day was all about just finishing the event. After all, we still had to actually cross the line in Selkirk to complete the race. But Ben and I couldn’t help leading the pack through the well practiced Black trail round Glentress. I stopped at one point to talk to my pal, Iain, who was marshalling on one of the gates near the end, and pretty much just coasted in to Selkirk with a couple of hours to spare.

This was one of the best events I’ve ever competed in. Thoroughly well organised, great trails and good people. After a shower and a bite to eat at the local chippie, we settled in to the evening’s celebrations. Job done!

A HUGE thank you has to go to the guys at Whyte Bikes for the 19 Race and all the support. It truly was a joy to pilot the Whyte around for the whole week. The Fi’zi:k saddle kept me going with a minimum of discomfort despite the gnarly terrain and the excessive mileage and the Panaracer tyres were perfect in their respective environments. Thank you also to my parents for all their support and encouragement. With out my Mum’s endless supply of pasta and vegetables, I don’t know how I would have recovered so well each night.

I will definitely be competing in the Trans Wales next year.

Steve Heading

I find training plans are important in order to motivate and get the best out of riding. By January the year’s training and racing is all planned. As the year progresses the details are filled in, so as each month approaches I have a reasonably good idea of what lies ahead.

Flexibility and change are always necessary, but this month saw wholesale change! It went wrong when I spent too long pointing a patio resulting in back ache. I figured it was temporary so still rode the NPS races at Sherwood – my first races in the veteran’s category.

My back hurt (a lot) and – being old – I should have known to stop. But – being stubborn – I didn’t. I came 11th in the XC race, and 6th in the 100km marathon the following day. The following day I was barely able to stand up!

It eased but I knew something was not right. A few days later a session of remedial massage and manipulative therapy revealed my lower back problem and got my vertebrae back in line.

Unfortunately an important MTBO (mountain bike orienteering) race soon after once again pulled the vertebrae out. I did however manage a decent 4th position which keeps me near the top of the league.

In the middle of all this some surprising news, I was to be riding the TransScotland race in a few weeks. Some months earlier Rick and I had entered a competition to win a free Trans Scotland entry courtesy of What Mountain Bike Magazine, and we had been selected.

Major re-planning was required. Back to the therapist to ‘repair’ my back and careful instructions on how to look after it to get through the TransScotland. A support driver was found (my little sister) and a long packing list written.

Saturday morning we were away. Sunday morning the Trans Scotland began in traditional Scottish weather – rain. Time limits were fairly generous so we didn’t need to race the linking stages. We could just enjoy the riding and scenery. Four short special stages on purpose- built trails were where the racing happened.

Despite our advanced years we were a few months too young for the Veterans category, so rode in open men’s with the younger racers. Thus Rick and I were not at the sharp end so were not under pressure to perform.

Whyte-sponsored rider Andy Barlow on the other hand was right up there. A great first stage put him in the lead and consistent excellent performances gave him the overall victory in the men’s solo. Nice one Andy!

As days passed we all settled into our routines. Our race position ranged between third and sixth. Overall we ended up fifth. The last stage was a night stage; Rick had never ridden at night before and so had quite an introduction blasting down the black trails of Glentress!

He was remarkably quick for a ‘novice’, but with short stages losing a minute was critical. Our overall position dropped to 6th. We were more than happy with that. The Whyte E5 was perfect for the event – reliable, comfortable, light, and it handled everything I threw at it with ease. Apart from cleaning and oiling nothing was touched. Although sometimes it is hard to think beyond the racing, this event was more about riding top trails in fantastic scenery, about atmosphere and camaraderie. The latter to me summed up when we had a puncture, every rider who passed asked if we needed help. It was one big team out there, the Trans cotland team. Thanks to all who organised and took part. My back held up well (until Rick decided to race all the last day) and even the weather turned hot and sunny!