Well it's that time of year again, registration is open for the 2017 Borders 350 group start which this year is Sat 1st July 8am.
Email me at borders350itt@gmail.com with your name and gender if you are interested and I will add your name.All the usual self supported rules apply, max 50 riders, first come first served.

DESCRIPTION
The Borders 350 ITT is a 350 mile bikepacking route set in the Scottish Borders with 11,380 metres of climbing. It has a group start on the first Saturday of July each year. It starts and finishes in Peebles, Tweeddale, Scottish Borders. All the usual ITT rules apply. Max 50 riders. Entries from March 1st, to apply email me at borders350itt@gmail.com

Ian Fitz described it thus, "It is a beast of a route which takes in a great blend of stunning views, fantastic riding and some full on type 2 hike-a-bike! It travels through some remote (for the UK) ground and does require a significant degree of commitment. Completing under four days would be a solid achievement.

Link to write up
http://bearbonesbikepacking.co.uk/phpBB ... =10&t=7643

Aagh! Same weekend as the YD300 which I've already entered. Will have to do it as an ITT some other time.

I've convinced myself that although its longer than the YD300 it won't be as hard. I will likely live to regret thinking this....

htrider wrote:I've convinced myself that although its longer than the YD300 it won't be as hard. I will likely live to regret thinking this....

Hmm.

htrider wrote:I've convinced myself that although its longer than the YD300 it won't be as hard. I will likely live to regret thinking this....

Nice to have you along Phil. I'm sure the shortened route to Moffat will meet with your approval.

ianfitz wrote:

htrider wrote:I've convinced myself that although its longer than the YD300 it won't be as hard. I will likely live to regret thinking this....

Hmm.

Yeah....

Go on then......who's entered?

I'm in

Karl wrote:Go on then......who's entered?

I'm in

Only six starters so far but that's six more than last year and one more than the first year.

Jason Miles.
Phil Clarke.
Oliver Turnbull
Karl Booth.
Saul Ayton.
Raymond Young.

Hoping to get to Kielder next Friday night to promote it amongst the Dirty Reiver lot, .

Jason Miles?
Blimey, guess who'll be first back then...

htrider wrote:Jason Miles?
Blimey, guess who'll be first back then...

Just looked him up..........Blimey!

Yep, he's quite quick Ray

I'd love another go at this having abandoned in Kirk Yetholm during the first running of the route. Will have to be an ITT for me though as I can't get any time off at the start of July. Good to see some interest as it's a great route from what I saw of it.
Mark

I managed to get down to Kielder campsite last night for the Dirty Reiver lot and handed out a load of Borders 350 promo cards to people. Reactions to the idea ranged from "bemused silence" to "wow, yes". No confirmed definates but enough interest to make the four hour round trip worthwhile. Met some great people and had some good crack. I also met three people who had already requested a gpx file from me.

We found a couple of those - that explains it. Nice cards, very dedicated of you.

Just over a week to go. Is everyone ready? Who's going up next Friday and wants to meet up for food/drink?

Dunno about ready - off on a wee overnighter tomorrow to see how the knee is doing then we'll take it from there.....
Other than that it will be a case of throw stuff at bike, turn up and ride! Will likely head down in the morning

I wish I was riding it! Not quite ready for another beasting yet though.

A week to go and again only five starters including me this year. See you all at 8am at the start point. Was really hoping this would take off this year but despite joining all the MTB sites I could find on Facebook and promoting it I've only had a few interested. Hopefully some completions and write ups may encourage more next year. Thanks, Ray.

Sorry to miss it Ray. Family holiday this time of year. I have the green light to do it end of August. Will enjoy the write ups of those that do it this year.

I was really looking forward to this, but the achilles trouble that flared up last weekend came back on Thursday's long ride, so I need to take some time to recover properly before I f*ck it up.

Hope the weather is kind for all those who dare...

Karl wrote:Just over a week to go. Is everyone ready? Who's going up next Friday and wants to meet up for food/drink?

Hi Karl - I am not riding but I would be up for that. It would be nice to put some faces to names. If it was earlier than 8pm I could bring the boy along too (kids have to leave pubs in Scotland by 8pm).
Bridget

Sounds good to me. I've booked in at Rosetta campsite on Friday evening. Leaving work about 2pm so aim to be in Peebles by 6.30pm so happy to eat straight away.

As your local I'll let you suggest somewhere for food.

See you Friday

I must admit I don't know any proper places to eat in Peebles - I have only ever gone to the chippie there. I will ask around or maybe Ray will know somewhere.

Borderer wrote:I must admit I don't know any proper places to eat in Peebles - I have only ever gone to the chippie there. I will ask around or maybe Ray will know somewhere.

We frequented the Wetherspoons quite heavily before and after on the first group start. Not the greatest food but cheap and plentiful.

ianfitz wrote:We frequented the Wetherspoons quite heavily before and after on the first group start. Not the greatest food but cheap and plentiful.

Sounds ideal. I hadn't realised they had one in Peebles tbh.