On Yer Bike Melrose Weekend 22 to 24 March 2007

The weekend got of to bad start with yours truly taking a wrong turning and getting lost in and around Glasgow. But Willie came to the rescue and we eventually got out of the city and on our way.

On Saturday we set of for a tour of the local sights, visiting/passing Melrose Abbey, Scott's View, what a climb, Wallace's Statue, Dryburgh Abbey, crossing the Tweed and into Newton St Boswells and then on to very picturesque village of Bowden.

The route on Saturday was mainly quiet unclassified roads with a couple of expeditions on to rougher ground using parts of the St Cuthberts Way in particular. The group split just after Bowden with some heading over a more direct route, but equally as challenging, to Melrose.

4 of us took of over towards Selkirk by a cross country route. fallowing farm tracks and my vague memories of walking in the area in the past. The route was still there but a few changes had been made by farmers making it a little more difficult to find. But we got there and again making use of country roads dropped down into the Tweed valley and linking in with the Tweed cycle way, passed through the outskirts of Gallashiels and along the river to return to Melrose. A super day.

We had two punctures on route and a few chains playing up but no major mechanical or other types of misshapes. The feedback was that it was a challenging day for every one, The downhills into the Tweed Valley at Melrose and nearer Selkirk were described as bottle testing and very fast. Sunday brought us to a skills development session at Glentress. A little slower pace at first with coffee at the Hub and then on to the upper car park and the skills course. Very much a come and try session with every one choosing to have a go at the various obstacles. Then a few circuits of the outer circuit to put these new found skills to the test. Then of down hill to the Hub for a lunch stop. Some took on to the lower part of the Blue route and rest of took the forest road down.

All in all a very good weekend was had by all with gods being kind to us and rewarding with fine weather. A less challenging drive back to Glasgow and every one of home well contented.

Baggage Transfers on the Rob Roy Way and other routes, season 2007

The new season of walkers on the Rob Roy Way started earlier this year. There has been a group of 11 women walking the way this week. They have had very varied weather to contend with but it has not dampened their spirits to much. Most of them appear to be enjoying the experience. Unfortunately one has developed a tummy problem and has had to pull out.
Today they walked from Ardtalnaig on South Loch Tay to Kenmore. Tomorrow they will join the way again and complete a short day on to Aberfeldy.
This party booked the baggage and passenger transfers that bike and hike are providing through Absolute Escapes a booking agency for long distance walking holidays based in Edinburgh. bike and hike are privileged to provide these services through this agent and other agents for RRW walkers.
Macs Adventure another agent has developed a new Perthishire Highland route and bike and hike will be providing the baggage transfer services on this route for the first time later in the season.
bike and hike will also be providing baggage transfers for a group from Glasgow on the Catteran trail in Perthshire for the first time this season.
We at bike and hike are looking forward to busy season providing baggage transfer services on these and other routes, through booking /holiday agencies and to individuals and groups who book with us direct.

On Yer Bike Weekend trip to Melrose

This weekend sees the second On Yer Bike weekend trip and it's to Melrose in the Scottish Borders. The first was to Aviemore and the Cairngorms, hopefully to repeated this year.
The trip programme is, leaving Bellahouston late Friday 23rd afternoon/early evening. Staying at the SYHA Melrose, self catering, Friday and Saturday Nights. Returning to Bellahouston early evening On Sunday25th. Melrose has ample eateries and hostelries to satisfy our needs I'm sure.
The outing on Saturday will consist of an easier route approx 20 miles and a moderate route approx 28 miles. Both will be in the Melrose, Dryburgh area Crossing the River Tweed a few times,visiting Scott's View, the Wallace statue and the Abbey at Dryburgh. The easier route will cut of from the moderate route and return Melrose using a shorter route. The moderate route will continue on in a larger circle west then taking in a longer return route to Melrose. More details on the day. The routes will use mainly unclassified roads, bits of the Tweed cycle way and other tracks. There is no single track mountain biking on these routes.
Sunday will be at Glentress, one of the 7 stanes routes. This is a well developed mountain biking area, offering a selection of tracks from easier to very difficult routes. We will be offering to take less experienced riders on the easier routes and the skills development courses that are available. The more experienced riders can elect to do routes of their choice, with the proviso that they do not go alone and that they do at their own risk. There will be no leader on these more difficult routes as it will be difficult to provide enough as there will only be 2 leaders on the weekend. On last contact with the Outdoor team at GCC leisure the weekend was fully booked.See you there if you are one of the lucky ones.

Bad weather warning results in cancellation 18th March

GCC On Yer Bike trip. As the weather forecast for this weekend is for severe weather, high winds, low temps and snow on Sunday. The planned Sunday 18th trip to do the Braeval loop variation is cancelled.
Sorry for any inconvenience caused to those of you who planned to attend. Colin

Braeval Loop

Just a wee reminder that the Glasgow CC On Yer Bike trip 18th March from Bellahouston to Aberfoyle and Braeval is going ahead. Meet at bella for 9.00 a.m. The trip will be a variation of this loop depending on the group make and ability on the day. Weather forecast is poor so dress well. Colin