Tour de Borders.
Just back from a 3 day cycle tour in the Scottish Borders covering 175miles on parts of the 'Border Loop' http://www.scot-borders.co.uk/Downloads/borderloopfinallogo.pdf and 'Tweed Cycle Way' http://www.scot-borders.co.uk/Downloads/tweedcycleway.pdf The weather was excellent most of the time although a strong easterly wind made the going difficult at times.
Susan introduced me to cycling touring in 2005 when we followed a route in the Wicklow Mountains of Ireland during the Easter Holidays. We've completed a number of other tours since then but this was our first for a couple of years.
Day 1 (Friday) - Symington to Hawick (60 miles).
We drove up to Symington after work on Thursday to make the most of the long Bank Holiday weekend and woke on Friday to blue skies - perfect. Once we got moving, however, we realised that a strong easterly wind was going to make the going difficult for most of the day.
Our route took us first to Broughton and then Tweedsmuir before heading up to the Megget Stone at 450m our trip high point. The descent from here is normally fast but today the wind slowed us considerably.
On reaching St Mary's Loch we diverted from our route to visit the Cafe near the Tibbie Shiels Inn. Suitably refreshed it was then on to the Gordon Arms followed by a long climb and then sweeping descent to the Thusielaw Inn. Here we met a couple cycling from Lands End to John O'Groats who we had driven past in Carlisle the night before.
On the last leg to Hawick the weather changed. Cloud built and there was some light rain. This didn't last long and we checked in to our B&B dry and ready for a shower and a meal.
Day 2 (Saturday) - Hawick to Melrose via Kelso (65 miles).
We were up early for a full Scottish breakfast and the sky was a perfect blue. The going was easy as we left Hawick but we knew it was going to be a hard day with several long climbs and again a strong easterly wind. This leg of the tour did, however, reward us with excellent views of the Border hills. We also passed through some great villages and towns where we were able to stock up on food and drink.
The last 5 miles into Melrose were hard work but it had been a great day in the saddle and we soon recovered on reaching another superb B&B and having a great meal in the town.
Day 3 (Sunday) Melrose to Symington via Peebles (55 miles).
Another blue sky day but again windy. However, today we were mainly travelling west and hoped to get blown along by the easterly breeze. We've cycled much of the route covered several times but this didn't detract from another fantastic days cycling during which we met many other cyclists enjoying what must be some of the best cycling roads in the country.
We reached Symington mid-afternoon (with little wind assist) and could have kept going for several more days - it was that good!!!! It certainly won't be another two years before we're cycle touring again.
Susan introduced me to cycling touring in 2005 when we followed a route in the Wicklow Mountains of Ireland during the Easter Holidays. We've completed a number of other tours since then but this was our first for a couple of years.
Cycle Touring in Ireland Easter 2005 - no helmets in those days.
Day 1 (Friday) - Symington to Hawick (60 miles).
We drove up to Symington after work on Thursday to make the most of the long Bank Holiday weekend and woke on Friday to blue skies - perfect. Once we got moving, however, we realised that a strong easterly wind was going to make the going difficult for most of the day.
Our route took us first to Broughton and then Tweedsmuir before heading up to the Megget Stone at 450m our trip high point. The descent from here is normally fast but today the wind slowed us considerably.
On reaching St Mary's Loch we diverted from our route to visit the Cafe near the Tibbie Shiels Inn. Suitably refreshed it was then on to the Gordon Arms followed by a long climb and then sweeping descent to the Thusielaw Inn. Here we met a couple cycling from Lands End to John O'Groats who we had driven past in Carlisle the night before.
On the last leg to Hawick the weather changed. Cloud built and there was some light rain. This didn't last long and we checked in to our B&B dry and ready for a shower and a meal.
First stop on the road to Broughton.
At the start of the climb up the 'Megget' - Talla Linnfoot.
Looking down on Talla Reservoir from the top of the climb.
At the Megget Stone.
Turning for Hawick near the Tushielaw Inn.
Susan enjoying one of the descents on route to Hawick.
Nearly there.
Day 2 (Saturday) - Hawick to Melrose via Kelso (65 miles).
We were up early for a full Scottish breakfast and the sky was a perfect blue. The going was easy as we left Hawick but we knew it was going to be a hard day with several long climbs and again a strong easterly wind. This leg of the tour did, however, reward us with excellent views of the Border hills. We also passed through some great villages and towns where we were able to stock up on food and drink.
The last 5 miles into Melrose were hard work but it had been a great day in the saddle and we soon recovered on reaching another superb B&B and having a great meal in the town.
Leaving our B&B.
First turn to Bonchester Bridge.
A fantastic day to be touring in the Borders.
On one of many climbs into an easterly headwind.
Reaching the top of another climb.
Starting the descent to Town Yetholm.
Blue skies all the way.
Enjoying a break in Town Yetholm.
Nearly there - crossing the Tweed at Dryburgh.
The Eildon Hills outside Melrose.
Melrose Abbey - one of four Abbeys in the area.
Day 3 (Sunday) Melrose to Symington via Peebles (55 miles).
Another blue sky day but again windy. However, today we were mainly travelling west and hoped to get blown along by the easterly breeze. We've cycled much of the route covered several times but this didn't detract from another fantastic days cycling during which we met many other cyclists enjoying what must be some of the best cycling roads in the country.
We reached Symington mid-afternoon (with little wind assist) and could have kept going for several more days - it was that good!!!! It certainly won't be another two years before we're cycle touring again.
Starting the final day outside our Melrose B&B.
The River Tweed.
Another beautiful day in the Borders on route to Peebles.
Cycling into Peebles.
The Tweed Cycle Route to Biggar just outside Peebles.
Crossing the Tweed - again.
Sore feet from all the pedalling but nearly home.
Monday - the weather was too good to just head down the road to Cumbria so we had a quick wander up our favourite Symington hill - Culter Fell which lies on the border between South Lanarkshire and the Borders and is clearly visible from the bedroom window.
Approaching the summit.
Having a well earned rest after all that cycling.
Tinto across the Clyde valley on the descent.
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