Douglas F Shearer

Innerleithen Enduro 2011

Innerleithen MTB Racing are for 2011 putting on the Proper Mountain Bike Series. It features an enduro, a push-up downhill and the traditional Alistair Lees Memorial TT.

First up was the enduro. The basic idea of this is timed descents from the highest point of the downhill tracks, riding back to the top. There is a time limit on the total time, but I doubt you’d have problems with that even on a DH bike.

I entered, and only having the one MTB at the moment, I used a XC race hardtail with 100mm SIDs on it. Most other people were on 5-6" travel bikes, probably the ideal machine.

The first stage had a rough start followed my a more mellow second half. The second stage was flat to begin with, went through the Plora Craig rock gardens, then finished on the super steep ‘Classic’ section. The third was down some of the easier DH runs.

I went very early, and posted a time just under 27 minutes. The fastest chaps were doing it in 18 minutes, and fellow XCers on more appropriate bikes were doing it in around 20. I was a little disappointed with the result, but had to be objective about it given the handicap the bike provided.

On the other hand, it was possibly one of the best MTB events I have ever taken part in. The atmosphere and banter with other competitors was spot on, the riding (including the climbs) was fantastic, and the organisation was clockwork.

Alistair Lees Memorial XC TT 2009

The Alistair Lees Memorial XC TT is now in its second year. Last year was a multi-lap affair, whereas this year saw a longer 21km course ran as a single lap. Yet again the weather played ball, and racers were treated to minimal wind and some sunshine. I was riding my new bike (more on that to come) in its first ever race, so was expecting good things.

The start of the route was fairly brutal, up a section of zig-zags followed by a draggy bridleway and some more zig-zags. After this there was a tiny bit of natural descent followed by a long gentle singletrack climb where you could really get some speed up. Next was part of the old red-route, complete with the ‘mouse-trap’ rocky stepups, before joining up with the middle of the push-up track. A short section of forestry road took you to the very steep and loose top section of push up track.

After the final steep section really began; the top section of matador is fairly straightforward, although I lost a small amount of time on it due to having my forks locked out. A small section of twisty natural trail finished this off, before zipping along some forestry road to the next section. Natural trails with small berms, jumps and some interesting forestry ploughing made this section truly great fun.

Back to the red-route climb, through the quarry, then up towards Minch Moor before taking the shortcut to the Crop Circles. Along to the Plora Craig rock gardens taking the red options. At the switchback where red rejoins black, we went off the trail onto a super-steep access track onto the uplift track. Like others who had pre-ridden the course, this was a change I was not aware of, and even though I got down the gears fast enough to make it up, I still had to stop at the top and remove a stick from my rear mech.

A blast up the smooth uplift track took us to the top of the DH tracks again. I caught Chris Herraghty (EUCC) at this point, who decided to put his saddle down, something that saved him 7 seconds on the descent. Down the tunnel, new-luge, old luge, new-luge, then down the Merida trail and onto the bottom section of Caddon Bank.

I was rather pleased to find out I had finished in second, with Gareth Montgomerie (Freeride Spain) being first, and Iain Nimmo (Squadra Porcini) being third.

Thanks to Helen at Inners MTB Racing for the great event and support, and Steve at I-Cycles for the coffee, biscuits and banter.

And now, onto the British XC Champs course route….maybe not, I’ll keep that under the hat for now.

Alistair Lees Memorial XC Time Trail - 15th March 2009

Innerleithen Forestry Commission Carpark

The traditional Scottish XC season opener on the best XC course in Britain ! This year we will be using a longer course, and all riders will complete one lap. The trophy, in memory of our friend Alistair who died of cancer in November 2007, will be awarded in the Vet category. We will be taking a split time at the top of the course and a prize will be awarded for the fastest male and female riders on that section.

Get a flavour of the trails to be used for the British National Champs this year! This event sold out last year and is limited to 120 places, so enter now to be sure of a place.

Event website www.innerleithenmtbracing.com

Entries on www.entrycentral.com

Provide a marshall and get free entry – contact helenmfindlay@yahoo.co.uk for details.

Innerleithen TT Series 2008 Round 4

After winning the third round of the Inners TT Series, it made sense to try and do the same at the fourth and final round. A days rest after the last round of the SXC, and I was ready to go.

It was proper dark for this one, so I borrowed a nice bright HID from Tom ‘Wild Boar 24’ Owen. For the first part of the climb I didn’t need it, only the technical sections were worthy of it to start with. After the quarry I turned it off for the fireroad, so as to gain a small psychological advantage over those chasing. I started two minutes ahead of Andy Wardman, and looking back on the fireroad I could see he had already dropped time on me.

After the first bit of the descent it was back to ride-run-ride on the rocky old-skool section. There seemed to be a lot of traffic in this section, as people were having trouble with it. I had an over-the-bars, but got straight back up and off running.

On the descent I kept missing corners, and had to stop at one point to tuck my keys back into my top to stop them whacking me in the face as I went over the drops. Definitely some time wasted there.

I got to the bottom in one piece, phew! Andy Barlow had decided to ride his ‘big’ hardtail today, and even stopped to lower the saddle for more control on the descent. I beat him and Andy Wardman by a single second, taking the series win also, by one point!

Thanks very much to Helen and Steve for all their hard work organising the series, and thanks to all the folk who turned up for all the great banter.

Here’s hoping the rumoured winter series is as good…

Innerleithen TT Series 2008 Round 3

So at the first round of the series I was 6th, 5th at the second round, and on this attempt I posted the win!

Conditions were wet and muddy, just like how I like it! Got stuck in the big ring similar to the Selkirk Merida, but I’d pre-empted this and made sure I stayed in the middle ring all the way to the top. On the muddy techy section I had to do some running, but even with access to a smaller chainring, I would have been wasting time trying to ride some of the stuff.

Notable entry of the night was Stephen Jackson of GMBC, a man I have not seen at a race in a good few years!

Innerleithen TT Series 2008 Round 1

Fed up of riding boring, non-technical courses? Then get yourself along to the Innerleithen TT Series!

The course is a spanker, climbs most of the way up the black before taking the shorcut across to the crop-circles. Then it’s round some of the old-school singletrack which I hadn’t ridden since a few years back with Pete Laing. After this, the fun really starts! Down the downhill pushup track (very gravelly), down The Tunnel, down New Luge, out onto the bottom of Old Luge. Then down The Deer Hunter, eventually finishing with the ski-jump into the arena.

I decided to ride there for the first round, a hugely sensible idea after 3 weeks off the bike. I blasted the climb, loving the slightly damp technical bits. Unfortunately, when I hit the old-school part, my right calve locked up, and I sat in the heather for a while waiting for it to ease off. It didn’t, so I had to suffer it for the descent (and most of the next day too). Was still loving the sheer awesomeness of the course.

Organised by “Helen Findlay”:, there are another four rounds, roughly the last Tuesday of the month for July, August, and September. Check the web-link at the top for more details.

Cycling Catchup

Not had a post for too long, so I’m going to do a quick catch up on what I’ve been doing cycling wise…

SXC 2007 Round 2 – Dalbeattie

The second round of the SXC series was at Dalbeattie, one of the 7 Stanes best known for it’s rocky singletrack and steep slabs. True to previous form, the race course avoided most of this, and instead used a large amount of steep natural singletrack. Super dry conditions meant that some corners were deep sand instead of the slippy mud of previous years.

In the Expert/Elite race I got off to a good start, though lost a few places on the first descent when I ended up behind the tape after a bit of mis-direction. I also had cramp for the first 2 laps, so had to ease off the pace a bit. Once the cramp disappeared I was flying again, really enjoying the course.

On the last lap I decided to give it everything, locking my forks out and stomping on the pedals up the main climb. I passed several people here, and caught Andy Wardman, who I passed on a later section of fireroad to put almost a minute into him before the finish.

I was 13th overall, which compared to the top fives I was getting last year is a little poor. No doubt the field is stronger this year, as my form is definitely better than last.

Ingliston Crit Series

For the second year in a row I was riding the support races at the Cycling Scotland Ingliston Criterium Series. A bit of a mixed bag of results here…

1. First round I got stuck behind two crashes, losing me decent position in the field. Low 20s finish.
2. Second round I lost a contact lens on the 3rd last lap, making things slightly difficult. Low 20s finish.
3. I missed the third round due to the SXC race the next day.
4. Round 4 – Sat in the front of the field for the first few laps, helping to chase down breaks. Came back to the front near the end and held my position to take 10th in the sprint.

A Century

On saturday Tom and I went on a big hilly loop round Innerliethen, Biggar and Lanark. It ended up being 100miles, not bad for a 6 hour day in the saddle. I’ve never done 100miles before, but as with the other long distances I have done, I find that after about 70miles my legs just keep going.

Glentress + Inners Mission

Last monday I had a bit of a nasty crash at Grizedale in the Lake District. This crash resulted in me losing quite a bit of skin from my right leg, and stretching the tendons in the back of my left hand. This prevented me from being able to grip anything with it, as it had no strength, and was painful to move.

By the thursday it was OKish again, so Adam and I decided to ride the Black Route at Glentress, before cycling down the Tweed Valley a bit to ride the XC at Inners. Pretty mad, especially as they are the two rockiest trail centres in the UK.

In total it took 5hours and 20minutes, included an hour wasted for lunch, collapsed on top of Minch Moor, and Adam having two punctures 1 2. Not too bad. I did have one over-the-bars on the big rocky section at Inners, but the worst that gave me was a cut elbow, two bruised palms, and cramp in my leg meaning I had to lie on the ground for several minutes.

Despite my crash on the monday, I had no demons on the thursday, and even cleaned the ’shore at Glentress with the saddle still up my backside. Was a great day out (25C, small breeze), and despite the odd tan lines from wearing a tubey-grip on my wrist, it was great pre 10 Under The Ben experience. Bring it on!

The gallery for this trip will return once I sort out a new gallery for it.

Knee Warmers Rule!

Yesterday I went to meet the uni guys for the usual wednesday afternoon ride around the Pentlands. Being sensible I didn’t take a jacket, hoping that the sunshine would be out for the rest of the day. Sam turned up with his car, and had 3 free spaces in it heading for Innerleithen. Quick off the mark, Adam, Tim and I jumped in with our bikes and off we went.

So we get to Inners, it’s raining, bah! Sam and Tim went to play on the DH tracks while Adam and I went round the red route XC. Was really good fun despite the driving rain, and Adam’s front brake giving up the ghost. We were soaked from head to foot by the time we got back to the car in a fairly impressive 1hr 28mins.

Was the first day I properly wore my knee warmers, and despite being blue, they keep you really warm and comfortable around the knees (Duh!). Well worth having for those days where it’s not quite warm enough to wear longs.

In the evening we met up with the rest of the bike club, and had a rather healthy pub crawl. The highlight was undoubtedly Sam and Matt downing 9 shots of Tequila in a row! Each! Crazy peoples.

Thanks again to Sam for the lift.