Paul McGreal, an orienteering pal from way back (we did our first Saunders Mountain Marathon together in 1988 when we were both 16) has lived in Selkirk for a while and this New Year gave us the perfect opportunity to meet up, and perhaps sample some of the spectacular mountain biking in the area.
Paul is an committed adventure racer/triathlete and was keen to show me his back yard, particularly the 7 Staines areas near him.
After a spectacular journey up through the Borders a bit of a rude introduction was the suggestion we
partake in the regular Tuesday night ride from Selkirk Town Square.
I looked a right twit in my zip tied head torch. The other riders thought I had some serious candle power ready to be unleashed, but it became apparent very quickly that I now need to sort out some new lighting if I am going to ride regularly off-road with groups.
We climbed up out of Selkirk towards Three Brethren, then turned up over Peat Law – 426m. I’m sure the view from the top would be spectacular but it was a very dark cold night. After a quick natter on the top, 2 of the locals launched themselves down the mountain, flying across smooth fields and then winding down through the forest.
The most impressive light was a Light and Motion Arc, an HID technology unit. I also decided that the ideal solution involves a flood on the handlebars and a spot on the head, as my head-torch was just bouncing up and down too much at speed.
After crossing the A787 we dived down through some very technical woods. Dave, one of the Selkrik regulars, broke his ‘duck’ After a year of not falling off he crashed spectacularly on a steep decent, T boning a tree near the river and continued a good 10 metres down the steep escarpment head first. Luckily all that was damaged was his pride but it could have been very nasty. We finished with the steep climb back up to Paul’s house hidden away in the middle of Selkirk, a great ride.