[Closed] King & Queen Of The Hill- Who's in? (nae tyre chat allowed!!)

Looks like there is a lot of GT closed during the race - could be all at GT? I have no idea what Cademuir is like now...

(Although there are enough trails at GT now that I could happily ride a 5 - 6 stage race there)

Never thought for a snoop on FC site. All of black shut and some of red, not very specific but makes it seem like a larger amount of GT covered than previous years so I'd guess no Cademuir.

I will be there , looking forward to it , since last year I have done a skills course and got a new bike so under a bit of pressure to improve ! I will be running high roller front and oops sorry

Fat, slow, back from injury and a long winter and up on holiday and in the wait list, not sure if it want in or not...

If they are closing the whole black I'd guess they'll be maximising trails running off of it, so I'd guess.
Mast of Zorro
5 year plan/deliverance
Ewok to the pond
Ho Chi Min/zoom or bust/Janet's

I'd like to think they'd chuck in the Spooky/blue/brown trout stage that got ditched from the EWS as I like a long pedally stage. Can't see it happening though, if they have closed the entire black seems unlikely they'd want to close big chunks of the red too. Plus its a pretty big day on the bike and given they are pitching this as a bit less full on than the EWS, its a hell of a lot of climbing.

Any link to trail closures please?

I'm up there just to ride for the weekend having raced King and Queen in previous years. I can't remember if it is marshalled on the practise day and if not whether it is still possible ride the trails?

Got it answered my own question... All open on the Saturday!

I meant to cancel but forgot so I guess I'm doing it 😆

Just got a pal's entry so am in. Taking a day off in the week before to go ride the trails if anyone's keen.

There's strong evidence to suggest a spooky/betty/troot stage this year..

There's more than Glentress and Cademuir forests in the Tweed Valley, but it all depends on what rumours you want to listen to 😉

Regardless, I'll see all you [s]mincers[/s] highly skilled mountain bicycle riders on the Sunday 🙂

There's more than Glentress and Cademuir forests in the Tweed Valley, but it all depends on what rumours you want to listen to

[i]There's more than Glentress and Cademuir forests in the Tweed Valley, but it all depends on what rumours you want to listen to [/i]

There's enough trails in GT to make up 4 decent stages, just hope they don't use Trailfairy as unless the weather has been kind for weeks it'll be just a mud-slide - and a waste of a climb.

Doug, what if I was to tell you that you are wrong?

BR, What's wrong with Trailfairy plan in the wet? It's brilliant slidey fun!

I hope I am wrong, so I'd be pretty happy. Just wasn't sure I could see it happening.

Panracer Fire XC Pros.

mc: From riding in E2 in the EWS a lot of people struggled with it. Saw people getting thrown over the bars due to letting their front wheel clog up etc.

I agree with you though, it is ace in the wet.

It's fine in the wet. It's not so good when it's a ploughed field 😯 I didn't pass many people at EWS but when I did, it was usually because their bikes had clogged solid on B-Side.

Interesting from the info sent out this morning the event village has moved to Glentress. Not sure what impact that might have on course choice, would be good if they could make a final stage finish close to the main HQ, makes for a much better atmosphere. Maybe something incorporating the final descent from GT7 finishing up at the old hub car park where HQ is going to be based?

Rumour is 2 at Caberston and 2/3 at GT. Start at GT, along the cycle path to Caberston. Two stages, then that horrible slog climb from the golf club up to the boundary. Lots of climbing on wet grass! Final EWS stage is a cert. I can see them using the EWS S6. Other one is a lottery. Maybe Zorro, maybe Trailfairy plan.

I've sacked it anyway. Slacked off since the EWS and I'm in no condition to race. Last year's race was very tough transition wise.

This would tend to agree with the golfie/GT rumour. I hope that rumour turns out to be true!Love Golfie.

http://singletrackworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/welcome-the-scottish-championships/

We're doing a bit of digging on an old favourite on saturday so I guess it might be in, seems quite timely. And would make Stage 6 unviable, which would be good because it's absolute **** 😆 (stage 6 starting from spooky isn't so bad mind... But still less good)

Hope I am right but who knows. Fort descent has to be in, tbh I'd prefer they start it from the right hill though 😉

[i]then that horrible slog climb from the golf club up to the boundary. Lots of climbing on wet grass![/i]

Would that be the Leithen Water climb?

While it's long it's a good hard/stoney-ish estate-road type surface for climbing - although it would mean a few miles on-road (between the Golfie and the estate road).

Luckily we're at Golfie tonight for some practice 🙂

Out of interest, if it's at Golfie and GT, what would the rules normally be about driving down to Inners on Saturday for practice? Obviously I'm not actively looking to cheat, but in some ways it seems a bit silly to drive down from Edinburgh and park up at GT only to just head straight onto a road or cycle path down to Inners, when I could just stay in the car and park there in the first place.
Bit of a grey area, does it count as "shuttling", I wouldn't want to accidentally get caught up for cheating! What did you folk at EWS do? Looking at Strava it doesn't seem many started their practice day laps from Peebles Green!

At EWS, you were free to "shuttle" on practice days. I'd imagine there'll be guidance in the competitor notes though.

Wishing I'd entered now. I've still not ridden any of the golfie/caberston etc trails yet, need to make the drive east soon.

I'm in and looking forwards to it, aiming for a better start than last year (breaking my hand on stage 1).

Has anyone seen a start list? I thought it was up for last year, but can't see one for this year?

I'd imagine there'll be guidance in the competitor notes though.

Saw this in the EWS notes, makes sense if it is spread over more than one forest that similar rules might apply next weekend.

Shuttling Ruling –
The transport of riders between Special Stages by private/team transport (shuttling) is
strictly limited to public, open roads during official training. A rider found using a
private or team vehicle on a closed/private road or track will be disqualified.
During the race, no private/team transport can be used at any time. Any rider found
taking private transport during the race will be disqualified.

Yeah, that wouldn't really work at cademuir because of parking if nothing else.

Yeah, that wouldn't really work at cademuir because of parking if nothing else.

Challenge accepted...

I was at gt today and while riding the decent to the ponds (super steep is it ? the bit that goes off the black ) and there was a section of new trail that cought my eye , no idea if its anything to do with this .
I liked the big stage into peebles but if the event village is in glentress there are plenty of others that finish there , i have always thought berm baby berm , electric then falla red would make a good stage and you would finish right at the peel center

Or berm baby berm, electric blue into the last GT7 descent would be better. Though was pondering whether you could run super steep as a final stage, blat down the fire road after it, short power climb up past go ape, through the trees and finish with a blast through the field that GT7 runs through. Though maybe a bit much climbing up past go ape just for the benefit of finishing up by event HQ?

Where was the new trail off super steep?

not sure where it started or ended , basically i made an arse of one of the turns and came to a stop and noticed a section of trail on the left that cut across more than down and had a couple of hair pins in it . To be honest it might of been there for ages and i had never noticed it going down super steep but it did look fairly new .

I could drop some more hints about rumoured tracks, but I suspect certain ones may lead to masses of DNS's, especially if next week isn't dry. Although that would make race day easier for me... 😈

Haha. They seem to be managing to keep it under wraps pretty well, even the normal sources don't seem to know so it's just fuelling the rumours. If I believe everything I've heard then we have a 60km epic on our hands with some stages that will be unrideable if wet!

🙂 Golfie was running superb last night, really dry and dusty

🙁 It started raining last night about 11pm, and hasn't stopped since

I heard they're running all the EWS stages, but in reverse. I've been sessioning riding up waterworld all week.

Well I'm in. Can't wait, first enduro of the year. Hopefully the bike won't break at the top of the first stage like it did last year! Loving all the rumors, heading to the Golfie over the weekend to see what I can manage to mince down, only went for the first time a couple of weeks ago and loved the trails. Not sure how I'd cope in thick slop though!

Don't forget to vomit up some flapjack at the feed stations Northwind, sticking with the theme...

That's the joy of flapjack, you can't really tell.

Golfie was running superb last night, really dry and dusty

I wouldn't say dry, but the kind of mud that sticks to itself rather than your bike and facet 8) There were a few dry sections though, not a touch on last years dustfest though.

If in doubt I'd avoid flapjack with chunks of carrot in it.

Or sweet corn.

I think some of you may be in for a surprise. It will be awesome tho - no surprises there !

How's about a stage that runs down Gypsy Glen. It would be good to have all those gates open for once 😛

[i]I wouldn't say dry[/i]

Well, maybe not dry for a Arab but compared to the summer so far certainly dry for around here.

[i]How's about a stage that runs down Gypsy Glen. It would be good to have all those gates open for once [/i]

To beat the KOM I'd reckon you'd also need it closed to other traffic, ie walkers coming up.

A stage that runs down Gypsy Glen would be hopeless to try and organise. It is a very very busy path with walkers, and is already getting badly eroded. You get enough abuse from walkers when 4/5 of you belt down it on a Sunday afternoon. 500 ? No, just no. There are some bits of the Valley we need to stay away from in races.

And don't start me on access for medics and marshals. Of course, some people just don't bother with safety !

I was thinking it might be stages 5-8 from EWS, would fit with the trail closures (black and part of red)?

Will have a look when I'm down tomorrow for any 'signs'...

I know pretty much all the trails that are on this years K&Q :wink:, lets just say it's going to be an epic and if it's wet, a slippy slidey fun mudfest for most of it.

^with Hels all the way. Riding Gypsy Glen with more than a few at any sort of speed is reckless and not in any spirit of the 'responsible' part of the SOAC.

If it's wet, a slippy slidey fun mudfest for most of it.

Northwind - I hope to do some reconnaissance on Thursday, weather permitting - welcome to join me ? (with apologies for paging post but I can't find your email addy)

I can no longer make it so if anybody would like to buy my entry (£45) drop me a mail csykes1989 AT hotmail.co.uk

Today is the final day that a rider can be swapped over.

moonsaballoon - Member

not sure where it started or ended , basically i made an arse of one of the turns and came to a stop and noticed a section of trail on the left that cut across more than down and had a couple of hair pins in it . To be honest it might of been there for ages and i had never noticed it going down super steep but it did look fairly new

That may be the access path for the GoApe zip slide. I was coming down Super Steep once and pat my shants when I saw someone standing there. couldn't work out why someone was standing in the middle of the woods there, then noticed the path for go ape

Anyone know where I could park up my campervan for the weekend?

Agree with hels and Tom re Gypsy Glen. It's an amazing descent but it can't be used in any race. I did a little reccy tonight and the trails are running well. If the predicted rain comes then it's going to be a brilliant weekend.

johnbot, do you need a hookup?

Not really Rob, I see there is a campsite but it's not in the heart of the action, kinda out of the way.

Anyone know where I could park up my campervan for the weekend?

Glentress Lodges right at the start of the trails. Just turn up on the day, it's very relaxed

@Hels, I was thinking I might skive off thursday afternoon actually... Was out doing GT #Endurobangers today, brilliant day for it. Will give you a shout if I get away

As Bob says, there should be space near the Lodges. I'm sure I saw a load of campers parked between the lodges and the old hub carpark during the GT7, I'm not sure how you'd book a place as it was busy.

Cheers Northwind - I can't make it to the trails until 1800ish. Praying for sunshine...

I have 3 spare tickets for the unReal showing on Saturday evening in Peebles, if anyone wants them just let me know asap and I'll send them to you. Don't want any money for them but I'm sure [url= http://www.tweedvalleymrt.org.uk/funding ]Tweed Valley Mountain Rescue[/url] would be grateful for a small donation.

@n1ppy any chance I could get those tickets pal?

Yep, no worries. email me your address and I'll get it sent today. You should be able to see my email in my profile.

I will be there marshalling so if you can say hi please do, I will be doing my usual best to keep spirits up and probably failing, if it's raining I will have my big umbrella so we can pretend we are F1 pro's again. 🙂

Bit random but Northwind, was it you who borrowed my 24" bmx at the pump track the other week? 🙂

More than a little hint has been dropped here:

@sazter- nope not me!

Golfie stages taped up and local sponsored riders out for a little explore today... Interesting choices, not wholly convinced but then again not racing.

Was out on the trails this eve. Stage 1 is already quite wet so if it rains will be "fun", stage 2 is nice and will hold up better. Overall though, doesn't feel like a lot of trail on the caberston side with a lot of commuting for a one day four stage event.

Likewise Glentress all taped up too, went for a spin thinking we might see some stuff and it was all damn obvious. S3 is going to be tough going after the previous transition. Long and the top and bottom 3rds need a bit of a pedal. Should sort the men from the boys.

Agree does seem like a long day for 4 stages. Don't get me wrong I like the fact it's long but would have been ace to squeeze 5 into that sort of distance. Going to be an great day regardless.

Worth remembering the stages are all officially shut on friday... Though there'll be people out cheating, because that's the spirit of enduro, if you're going to cheat do it on purpose 😉

I do wonder if the non locals get peed off with the locals all knowing the trails for these races!

I do wonder if the non locals get peed off with the locals all knowing the trails for these races!

It's the same everywhere. Although the EWS guys kept the trails relatively secret for the race in Whistler, we'd guessed a good few of them before the official announcement and the local guys would of known the trails very very well. Just look at Barelli's result in Whistler compared to else where.

I do wonder if the non locals get peed off with the locals all knowing the trails for these races!

So what do we reckon? Good trails but doesn't feel like a huge amount of racing. I might take that back on Sunday night! Quite surprised at no Fort descent tbh, I suppose it's a fine line between classic and cliche but I love it as a stage, especially when it starts on the right hill. I was pretty relieved when we went in to tweak FYP last week since it ruled out The Shit One, not sure that stage needs more pedalling but I reckon it'll have a good rhythm. Ponduro trail is great but short...

(oh, there's been a little bit of strava-run-removing, cheatin' fans 😉 )

Is that community service into final fling? And, uh... One of the wolfs but I don't know exactly what, haven't been up there since the SES. But I don't think it's old lonewolf?

Re local knowledge... I reckon EWS proves that the best riders can still come and take away the locals' ball. But, as far as separating the knobbers from the other knobbers, I reckon it makes a big difference! If nothing else I could just practice the golfy stages and stay fresh for the race, that's a big advantage over non-local also-rans.

Northwind is that why there was white spray paint on loads of roots and several corners on five year plan last week? I thought it was a bit odd.

Yah. It's ridden in lovely but cut itself a pretty deep trench in places so the drainage was a bit bollocksed and a lot of new lines were forming... Most of the shortcuts and braiding was just caused by issues in the original trail tbh. So nothing very major but a few changes to bring it back to spec and encourage people to stay in the trail. And a bunch of crappy straggly roots removed. Mark was still working on it on monday so there'll be more stuff I've not seen but, nothing major planned.

(my personal root is still there, that's basically all I care about)