My travel partner. Company car, VW GOLF E 1.4 Petrol. Foremer owner drove so well that this car is in very good condition. Compared with big body, small 1.4 engine gives gradual acceleration at motorway speed range but still have enough stability and cruising ability. Through this trip, I drove more than 600 miles in 4 days.
Entering to fun drive part. A line to Peebles. Gravity free bumps and curves at 60 mile speed limit is good enough for fun drive. Wish to have light weight sports like Lotus. Must be fun.
On the way to peak on 2nd day. There are dedicated 3 MTB course. We took intermediate for 1st day and Expert V-trail on second day where HellyHansen sponsors. Here is the map for this course.
V-Trail has full of big rocks which makes the course tough. Though a little technical point like the edge of cliff and minus banked edge style make course very attractive.
There are a couple of Show-off Point during the trail. Enjoy people are crushing in to the bush. As for rider, this is testing to conquer the pressure from audience and give yourself enough confidence. I made a petit crush but it was ok!
Resting at the peak. Not too cold but enough chili to make your muscle cold so, grab sandwich and chocolates and go. Next stage is called "Britney Spears". Baby Hit Me One More Time... That's why we can not stop...:-)
I thought frame size was too small for me, but now fine after made adjustments in stem and parts. Especially short wheel base gives super quick ride which is extremely fun at tight descent corner. Course is guide well as mark at almost every branch.
Famous North-shore ride in V-Trail. I made some trial too. You will be tested your confident rather than skill. If you think you will fall, you will fall. Feel like almost making vertical drop on narrow timber line.
Here it is! Typical See-Saw! Angus gives a good try but in vain. Nice try though. Thank you for your voluntrary action which gave everyone laughter. Best photo for this time is given to Angus!
A pint (of banana smoothie) after work. This Hub cafe serves very good food as well. Clean and cool. There are bike shop next to it and they lend New Giant bikes.
B&B I stayed. 30 mins hill drive from Glentress, small village called EttrickBridge. Very cozy(?) and traditional. Ian owner of this inn used to work for electric company and quit and start this business in country side.
Pub at Inn. We had local Ale "Raven" but we drank all Raven and next day, there was no Raven. :-) Chay's recommendation Scotch whisky was good. Like clean water with tender sense of mature whisky. Very good. Not like whisky I previously knew.
Massive Scotch Breakfast. It can be greasy food but somehow not likely. May be material is so fresh. Gives energy for a big day!
When I found this monument in a book, I thought I must go to see this because this design is somehow so inspired me. This building is built in 1800s for honer of his leadership to led Scotland to independent from England. This is huge and you can find it from far away.
Inside the monument is typical museum. Inconceivably big inside but instead, spiral stairs are so scary narrow. Top floor is open view area. Floor is a little higher than outer fence and this is very scary. And Stone structure gives additional fear. I wanted to go down as quickly as possible but I stayed there as long as I can bear. I don't know why.
View from top. It takes a lot of courage to get close to this edge actually. :-)
Stirling Castle is said to be a one of the biggest castle in Scotland. No wounder it has survived battle history against England. This stands on a little hill but amazingly you have broad view from castle. You will notice enemy is comming before they find the castle. This could have been a big advantage for Scotish army.
View from the castle. You can see the horizon in almost every direction. Take maximum advantage of hilly surface, it is like huge maze. Amazing...
Entrance of the Castle. This ditch is typical of Mid-era castle? Often seen in movie nights are crossing thoes bridge to enter the castle. Tourist also go through this gate.
Rock wall, gate, ditch, hill, rock wall again, door, hill... on and on. Very secure it seems. Now the contrast of grass and wall is very nice.
Since I woke up early in the morning, I climbed up to castle and enjoyed 30 seconds "morning downhill". Hi hi. No car, no walker, jump at speed bumps, hold down understeering from rock surface. Was I captured by security camera? Never mind.