The Scottish Enduro Series’ Round 4 heads to the perennial venue of Innerleithen for some tree slalom. Hutch gives us his preview.
Chris Hutchens delivers his preview of Round 4 of the Scottish Enduro Series at Innerleithen.
Scottish Enduro Series 2015: Round 1 – Innerleithen from Scottish Enduro Series on Vimeo.
Already the season has pushed over the mid-season hump with three rounds down and three to go. A clash with the Enduro World Series for round 4 this leaves the podium open for new riders but you can guarantee there will be some strong battles fought to get on there, across all the categories.
Thankfully you can also be assured that there will be an awesome course and some tough stages laid out for the middle of August.
Reliable Innerleithen and the Points Race
It’s a constant within the mountain bike racing calendar every year. There has to be at least one race at Innerleithen.
It’s dependable, challenging and undeniably exhilarating. It might favour the many and growing ‘local’ riders with the mass of lines, steep chutes and and well-built off piste trails, but time and time again it delivers as an enduro venue following its deep history of downhill racing.
Can Trek Factory Racing’s Lewis Buchanan make it four from four? Photo by Ross Bell.
The race is fierce in the points table within the womens’ field but dominance has been more apparent in the elite mens’ race. It’s Lewis Buchannan of Trek Factory Racing who’s made it 3 from 3 but the fight for 2nd looking fierce. Currently Ben Cathro holds 2nd just ahead of a consistent Gary Forrest. I sit marginally behind Gary in 4th. Christo Gallagher in 5th and is coming into some impressive form after becoming a master of pumptrack in Edinburgh.
In the womens’ race things are tighter with Janey Kennedy leading the series just ahead of a charging Eilidh Wells and Suzy Watson in 3rd.
Photo by Ross Bell.
Stages
Legs burning, your lungs exploding with the wish you’d put on those 700mm wide bars. Sounds like most Scottish Enduro Events to be fair. Riders will be treated to a long day of stages and the usual elevation gain in the valley will rocket fast. The numbers will exceed 1000m with ease so get out there and put the climbing miles in. The usual mix of ‘The Golfie’ and the classic Innerleithen downhill trails will make an appearance on the race maps come the weekend.
Getting the bike dialed in.
August, I’m sure there will be sun! I’d expect dry and dusty trails. Get those dry tyres on, a good braking edge for the steep trails on Golfie but something to roll fast on the more open trail centre sections. Conti Der Kaisers would be my choice.
The tracks will be faster than the last round in Dunoon so add in a few additional PSI into the front and rear shocks and hit the trails harder. The extra hold in the suspension will give you more ping from the corners and hopefully some extra places . Same goes for your tyre pressures, a little harder on the faster trails won’t do you any harm but don’t go daft.
Continental Tyres are what Team Wideopenmag trust as the only contact point with the ground. Photo by Trev Worsey.
A few extra days?
If you’re heading to the race from further afield and have a few days either side then make sure you get a ride at Glentress. It’s already hosted a few other events this year and will be venue for the up and coming Tweedlove King and Queen event with Wideopenmag’s Kelan Grant currently sitting 2nd in the Triple Crown behind local Gary Forrest.
Food and Accommodation
If you are planning racing at round 4 in Innerleithen. The Scottish Enduro team have been working with local businesses to make sure all your needs are catered for.
Accommodation is still available but spaces are filling fast. Caddonview still has some accommodation available. The restaurant at Caddonview is open to non residents (pre-booking is essential). Get booked and enjoy all of the dishes are home prepared using the freshest and best ingredients, often from local farms or estates. Book here or Tel: 01896 830208
Ian Linton’s Woodknowe B&B still has limited spaces available. Woodknowe offers comfortable, relaxing bike-friendly accommodation, in two twin or double rooms in Innerleithen. Woodknowe is a 20 minute cycle from Glentress, 10 from the ‘Golfie’, and 5 from the Innerleithen trails. Secure garage with CCTV and free WiFi. Book directly here, or Tel : 01896 831272.
There will be mud. Photo by Ross Bell.
Cleikum Mill Lodge Is ideally located for Innerleithen Trail Head and beside Number 1 Café on the High Street. Cleikum Mill provides versatile self catering for individuals or groups, book a room or book the building (sleep 12 max) They have an internal bike store which doubles as a drying room and laundry room, with plenty of space for bikes and hanging kit. Website here.
The St Ronans Hotel & Bar is a family run business in Innerleithen, in the heart of the Scottish Borders mountain biking country St Ronans has 7 rooms of various occupancy (triple, double, twins and a family room), all rooms have en-suite facilities and also included is breakfast, the legendary ‘Caths full cooked’.
They have an extensive walled beer garden is also ideal for chillaxin’ in after a hard day in the saddle. They can also offer off street secure parking and a secure unit for bikes to be kept overnight. Call on 01896 831487 and ask for Cath, Cate or Paul
The Co-op in Innerleithen have a super generous offer. Ben Letby, store manager said “Co-op Innerleithen is open 7am-10pm daily, providing snacks, sandwiches, drinks, meals and knowledgeable local staff. Special offer: all customers in cycling gear on 12/13 August will receive 10% off their shopping. We look forward to welcoming you to Innerleithen.”
Can High Tower and his Hightower catch series leader Lewis Buchanan on home turf? Photo by Ross Bell.
The Old Boys Club Tattoo specializes in high-end, bespoke tattoos. They are new to Innerleithen and were first attracted to the area because of the fantastic mountain biking. They’ve just drawn up several custom MTB designs that are ready to go. You can view drawings and tattoos on their Instagram page or visit their website.
Located at 18 High Street. No trip to Innerleithen would be complete without a visit to I-Cycles, you can keep up with them on their Facebook page. They have got all the usual bike spares, accessories etc and Raceface clothing, Smith helmets, IXS helmets, ION protection, Raceface protection and much much more from your Local Bike Shop.
Why not call in and see FINDRA Outdoor Apparel. FINDRA clothing is born and bred in Innerleithen. Their women’s mountain bike and adventure clothing is designed and tested in the Scottish Borders for riding anywhere that your adventures might take you. Visit their new shop on Innerleithen High Street to check out what they are up to and get in on the action.
Christo Gallagher has been quietly working away and sits in 5th overall coming into round 4. Will Innerleithen see him work his way to a podium spot? Photo by Ross Bell.
Conclusions
If you’re a spectator then get along for an exciting race. It’s likely to see a few different riders on the podiums across all categories with the summer holidays and other events taking some riders away. My money is on Christo Gallagher who knows the trails well and has found pace of late, however Gary Forrest is sure to put in some unbeatable stage times. In the Womens’ it has to be Janey Kennedy given here local knowledge but I know Eilidh Wells is putting in the hard training.
