Ladies of Balerno take on the Strathpuffer 2018

“Freezing temperatures. 17 hours of darkness. Miles upon miles of gruelling terrain. A brutal mix of ice, wind, hail, mud and snow, and maybe, just maybe, a glorious Scottish winter sunrise”.

Strathpuffer 2018 living up to expectations

The Strathpuffer. It sounded like the epitome of a type 2 fun event, (with a possibility of veering dangerously close to type 3). I wasn’t disappointed.

The Ladies of Balerno, (Caroline, Rachel, Laura and Tamsin) the 'before' picture

The Ladies of Balerno formed a crack team, with weekly team training rides in the Pentlands we went out in all conditions. On good weather weeks we met loads of other riders, on bad weather weeks not a soul (the Storm Caroline week was a definite ‘highlight’).

One from many LoB training rides in questionable weather

The original goal on signing up was to get on the podium, however since the summer our bodies did not always play ball. Between us we were plagues by: Back injury, nerve damage, concussion, norovirus and colds that just wouldn’t quit. By the time we got to the start to simply stick the course for 24 hours would be a victory, anything more would be a bonus.

Conditions deteriorate on the journey north 

 After a last minute bike-still-in-workshop panic, we left Edinburgh around midday and started our drive North. There was heaps of snow by the side of the A9 and occasional snow flurries giving us a taster of what was to come.

Race registration 

Arriving later than planned at the Puffer course the site was a snow-covered confusion of vehicles trying to find their ideal spot. The fire road up the course was way too icy to drive up without snow chains. Instead we found our pitch on the low road about 300m from transition.

Arriving on site in a blizzard on Friday afternoon

Once the van was parked we set about making a camp, including some serious snow shovelling to clear the tent area. Getting tour 100kg generator out of the van and safely sited, was actually was much easier than anticipated. 

How much kit do 4 ladies need for 1 race... A lot!

Back at the hostel we did our final bit of carb loading and caught an early night. The morning came all too quickly and with the car reading -8°C we set off to continue prerace prep. Russell set up a mechanic crew area, Tamsin got ready for lap 1 and Laura and I worked out how get the genny going (huge thanks to Stevie for the giant genny loan, it was a godsend).

Saturday morning driving to the course, yep that's ice in the car

Soon we heading down to transition for race briefing at the start. New snow had fallen overnight it was going to be a challenging course. Happily all the team were equipped with ice spike tyres we were going to need them!

Waiting for Tamsin at the start

Tamsin (aka The Snow Plow), was volunteered for the first lap, requiring a running start to the bike. Battling through the queues and snow Tamsin put in a great first lap transitioning to Caroline. Before I knew it was my turn standing in transition waiting. Caroline appeared on the final descent with a mighty woop. Russell pulled off my down jacket we switched over the dibber and I set off.

The course looked completely different from our practice weekend. Charging through the snow on the climb was tough, but I overtook plenty of people. The crews parked all the way along the climb were full of support, cheers and good tunes.

Tamsin The-Snow-Plow returning from lap 1

Soon I was on the single track, I was worried I’d be holding people up, but there were places to overtake, I even overtook a few people! The slab looked a bit sketchy covered in ice so I opted for running/slipping down the side. Soon onto the ‘new’ bits of the course. It was a bit rooty, summer sessions at Glentress with coach Laura had been time well spent. The extra sections made the course feel quite a bit longer, eventually I returned to transition. Then I was back to camp to write my time on the white board 1:12 – not too bad.

Beautiful weather, plowing through that snow was Tough work

Pretty soon the sun set and 17 hours of darkness followed. By my second lap the snow was compacted and the course running faster and icier, I was grateful of my ice tyres (thanks Tamsin!), we moved from 4^th team to 3rd and running well.

LoB base camp 

Waiting in transition for my third lap, Caroline came piling in “I’ve overtaken a Fandango, I think we’re in second”. Now to try and keep the lead, I had a few crashes on this lap trying to keep a good pace. Not the best. I was worried I might have lost our second place. Back at camp Alison arrived to help Russell with crew duties, she handed me a toasted bagel and tomato soup before I tried to get my head down for a couple of hours sleep.

Whiteboard of lap times

Far too soon it was time to get on with my fourth lap, 2:30am is not my favourite time to be riding. Happily I discovered we were still in second position with healthy lead over the Fandangos (but no chance of catching the Oban girls in 1^st). The smoke from all the fires was getting to my lungs and I was coughing like a smoker. I did a pretty slow lap at 1:20, but at this hour just keeping on moving is what counts. Back to camp I forced down some food and collapsed into a camp chair.

That 4am feeling (photo: caroline)

 Now strategic maths began, we definitely hadtime to get a 5^th lap each, but would we have enough time for one person to get a 6^th lap in, would we need to to keep our placing and was anybody keen enough to do it? 

Excitingly my final lap took in the sunrise. I set off in the dark, but with every pedal the sky got brighter. This was good because both my lights were about to die.

The mood on the course had shifted, the end was in sight. I passed the event photographer somewhere on the fire road “are you loving it” he shouted at me “YES” I replied, surprised to find this was actually true! The sunrise at the top of the climb was incredible, a splash of red across the sky interrupted by tiny puffy clouds. Spectacular. I passed another rider stopped to take a photo.

Sunrise lap (Other laps: not this smiley)

Coming down the final descent I was trying to pick up my speed. One mis-timed corner I wiped out and landed on my helmet putting a wee dent in it. Nothing could stop me now though scrambled back on and got to transition in a reasonable time, passed over to Laura.

We were fairly comfortably in second, nobody was required to do a sixth lap. This was a big relief for everyone. After getting changed and a cheeky cup of tea, we all headed to transition to wait for Laura to return. Just before she came in, Cat came careering in, completing her 15^th lap and confirming her win in the female solo category what an effort!

Laura finishes the final LoB lap

 With Laura back and big grins all round we finished second in the female quads. Way better that we thought we could achieve 24 hour earlier. The Ladies of Balerno are capable of more than they think they are! Camped packed away we headed over to the marquee for prize giving.

On the podium :-D

The snow was coming down hard as we drove home making it quite an ‘exciting’ journey. But that’s a story for another day…

Driving home 'exciting'

Immediately after my final lap I think I muttered ‘never-again’. But as the pain subsided and the win set in, maybe, just maybe, we’ll be back who knows?

Trophy !

Finally having Russell and Alison to crew for us probably made the difference between us coming third and second. I can’t thank them enough for giving up their weekends to help keep 4 dishevelled ladies on their bikes.

When your crew makes team medals!
(a genuine Rusty Nutz product!)

Winter is here!

After a death defying drive on unplowed snowy roads, I arrived in Corpach, a shivering nervous wreck. Ashley Phil and Ivanka having arrived a couple of days earlier, had no issues with the drives but had been out all day braving Storm Caroline.

The snow was still coming down as we tucked into fish and chips and hatched a plan for Saturday. The verdict Gulivan, the mountain of the long long walk in, and out.

Saturday morning was clearer than expected and setting off at dawn we saw the sun rise over clear skies on the mountains. Maybe the drive would be worth it afterall.

Phil heading up the beginning of the climb. The car is well beyond the trees in the furthest part of the valley

Poor Phil was rather broken from a fall the day before. Halfway up the  slope I heroically volunteered to carry his crampons (I didn’t expect him to say yes!)

Ashely and Phil at the trip point, the summit is still a ways off

Clearish skies on the Summit of Gulivan 

Returning along the ridge

 We still had to get to the summit with the trig point, we were really pushing the daylight. We reached the bottom of the slopes in good time, well just before it really started to get dark anyway. The walkout along the track seemed to go on forever, but eventually returned to the car and back to Corpach for victory pizza

Back to the trig point

The forecast for Sunday was brilliant, just brilliant. Unfortunately team London had a flight to catch, so the search was on for a ‘smash and grab’ Munro, just off the main road to get on the way home. The solution: Stob Coire Raineach (Buachaille Etive Beag). We arrived in the car park, vehicle  thermometers showing a balmy -9°C. Unlike Gulivan, where we hadn’t seen a soul, there were already quite a few other hikers out on the hill.

The hike up was almost entirely in the shade

Once we got into the sunshine though it was amazing!

The fresh snow and clear skies made for some excellent photo opportunities

Stob Coire Raineach: summit selfie

In fact we spent a hilarious half hour or so trying to perfect the ideal social media profile photo on the summit. I mean these sort of conditions don't come around often y'know!

This is my favourite I am the orange blob on the outcrop

Since we got off the hill in good time we popped into the Clachaig Inn for cheeky hot chocolates before Ashley Phil and Ivanka set off for their flight.

Hot chocolate in the Clachaig, always a winner

 I however was not in a rush to get home, and therefore did the double. Stopping off at Real food Cafe for cake before heading on down the road. 

Real Food Cafe, so many choices!

Driving home I stuck to the main roads, I've learned my leasson going over a 'short cut'  in bad weather

Finally some pano fun at the top!

Ladies of Balerno Training weekend

As part of our Strathpuffer training 3 Ladies of Balerno set off to more northerly parts to investigate the course at strathpeffer and generlly do some awesome biking in the area.

Climbing at Golspie

Laura heads out through the bog

At the top of Golspie, it was freezing!

arriving at Balblair, almost too cold to leave the car

Adding more layers 

Caroline descending in style (Balblair

Faffing about at Strathpeffer

Ladies of Balerno! testing out the puffer course

 Top weekend biking in some new parts of Scotland :-)

Commuting in Style - Bikepacking!

Setting off excitement!

It’s a glorious Wednesday afternoon. I send a photo of my laden bike to my boss,“I’m off!” I type. I shut down my laptop, head out the door and leap on my bike.

Work have organised a corporate event down in Peebles. Two weeks ago, the organisers sent instructions on how to get there, by car and by coach, but provided no info on arriving by bike. I made a fuss. They arranged secure bike parking, changing rooms and showers (towels provided!). Without really meaning too, I’ve committed to cycling.

I look at route options, the road routes aren’t that nice, all busy roads and no street lighting. I begin researching off-road routes. Part of the ‘capital trail’ runs from my front door down to Peebles. An idea starts to emerge. I decide to bikepack my way there, this will be the most epic commute.

What a lovely afternoon for a ride!

I set off into Pentland hills, the first part of the route is entirely uphill, it’s mostly on track though, so it should be quite quick riding. To get to Peebles before dark I need to make about 5 mph. I stop for my first snack at the top of Bavelaw, and head up across the moor.  This next section is part of the now infamous Carlops Loop. I pause for thought, I’m carrying a spare tube, puncture repair kit and strong tyre levers, if all else fails I’m also carrying a tent and 4 season bag and 8 chocolate bars. I consider myself appropriately prepared and carry on.

Om-nom, only 7 chocolates left now

Five miles into the route my watch buzzes, 1 hour 7 seconds. I’m almost exactly on schedule.

It wasn't actully as warm as it looks in the picture!

It’s quite exposed on the hillside and the wind has picked up. A lot. I’m blown sideways across the path, more than once. I start to wonder if this was really such a great idea. I struggle on, pushing my bike where it’s too windy to ride. My pace slows, but the sun is still shining.

Views back down the hill, picture doesn't really show the wind

At the top of the pass I hit a problem, a style. I’ve been struggling to lift up my bike without kit, fully laden this is going to be difficult. I stand on the style and hoik up the bike, and flop it over the fence and drop it down. My back hurts, but I’ve succeeded, no going back now!

The style of problem

At the top of Cap Law, I’m nearly blown off my bike again. I gingerly start the decent to Nine Mile burn, the further down I go the more protected I am from the wind. I let the speed pick up feeling more confident.  I pass two kids with bikes on their way up. We exchange a grin and a woop, it’s a good day to be outside.

Stream crossings: this one had the luxury of a bridge

 Halfway down the hill there’s another style, fortunately there are some kind walkers who offer to assist. I apologies profusely for the mud, they don’t seem to mind. I ride on through tracks and backroads to West Linton. I fill up my water bottle at J&R Newsagents (thanks!), and have another chocolate stop. I wonder if Nestle would sponsor me?

Drovers path way-markers, happily no actual droving on the path

The next section follows the cross-borders Drovers route. I hope not to meet any actual drovers, I really don’t like cows. Fortunatley there’s nothing in the hills but sheep today.  In fact there’s not a soul in sight, I feel like I’m in the middle of nowhere (actually I’m less than 20 miles from the centre of Edinburgh).

Not a soul in sight

I work my way across the hills towards Peebles, there’s some lovely flowy pieces of single track. There’s a couple of bogs too, my shoes get soaked, I send a silent thanks to the inventors of sealskinz, my feet are still dry.

The single track sections were ace!

The wind picks up again on the more exposed section. I round the side of Hamilton hill and can see Peebles and the Tweed Valley below. I decide to camp on the hill and save the descent into Peebles for the morning. It’s also 6 pm and I’ve got about 30 minutes before it gets dark. The wind nearly blows my tent away as I’m pitching, I consider moving on to search for a more sheltered spot, but decide against it. This will be a good test for the tent, and it’s not forecast to rain anyways.

Tent pitched and hopefully not blowing away!

I set up my stove to boil water for dinner. Unfortunately, I don’t position the pot very well and the it spills on the ground. I’d been worried about carrying enough water and so had erred on the side of caution. There’s too much farming in these hills for me to be happy taking water from streams. I have about 1 litre of water to spare, enough for dinner and a cup of tea.

I settle down to sleep, the wind blowing my tent about keeps me awake, but I remain firmly rooted to the ground. The next morning I get up in the dark and pack my stuff. Just as the sun is rising I set off down the hill into Peebles. The descent it brilliant, I even get a strava top 10 (which actually says more about the number of women who have ridden the route). I roll in to Peebles Hydro Hotel covered in mud.

Almost there! (the camera didn't capture the mud as well as I'd hoped)

True to their word there is a secure lock up for my bike and kit, as well as hot showers. I transform from dirtbag biker to corporate badass*. Happily work events always start with coffee and bacon rolls, I enthusiastically tuck in to second breakfast.

*this is what happened in my head anyways, (the reality might have been a transformation from bedraggled to rumpled).

The full loop, about 75 km

Among the more serious sessions there are always some fun challenges. Today there is a cycling challenge. How fast can you ride 4 laps of a virtual velodrome on a static bike. I didn’t mean to get involved, I know I have another 35 km to cycle home, but I’m too competitive not to. No half measures, I set the women's record for the day.

 

Top of Maidens' Cleugh, nearly home

I’ve a simpler route planned for the way home, shoot up the A703 to Penicuik hop over to Flotterstone, and cross the Pentlands over Maidens’ Cleugh. My goal was to get off the A roads before nightfall. I achieve this with time to spare. I take another cheeky chocolate stop and start the climb over Maidens’. It’s tough work on a loaded bike, and I slightly regret taking on the virtual velodrome earlier in the day. I reach the top of the pass at Sunset. 

It's all down hill form here!

I fire up my lights, it’s all downhill from here to home. I’ve done it. I’m not setting any records on the way down, but I’m grinning from ear to ear. I arrive home just after 7. Brilliant.

Finally home, I made it!

Obligatory 'all the kit' pic

Beinn a' Chochuill and Beinn Eunaich

A last minute plan emerged on Saturday night. Meet up with Ruth and Laura on their back from Craggy island triathlon and bag some munros. Much discussion on what would be interesting but not too hard for sore legs we settled on Beinn Eunaich and Beinn Chochuill.

Caroline Russell and I left Edinburgh first thing after a cheeky pit stop in Real Food Café arrived in time to wait for the triathletes. About 10 mins in we stopped for our first snack stop.

 On the way up the road fb told us it was Ruth’s birthday, so we went bought a slide of birthday cake for the summit. 

Naturally we took a team selfie on the summit…

The clouds cleared a tiny bit on the bealach to show how far we’d come, The way back down was pretty steep and sore legs from triathaloning made us slightly slower than the book suggested. 

Then on the way back down we passed through the gauntlet of the terror-cows. 

We survived.

Just.

Soon we were back on the road for another pitstop at real food cafe for dinner (Yum!)

A great day out and two new munros in the bag!