Crispin’s
Guide to Stirling Cycling - Overseas
June 2000 – Scottish Borders
A CTC Tour of the Scottish Borders, with a party of 9 to 11 led by
Brian Curtis
This should have been a pleasant week riding from
coast to coast in the Scottish Lowlands.
However, rain and wind conspired to make sure that
our abiding memory was of driving rain.
We would have enjoyed ourselves if it had not been for this.
Accommodation was in youth hostels
Saturday 3rd June 2000
Edinburgh – Coldingham St Abbs via Haddington &
Cockburnspath
Met the group at Edinburgh Waverly Rail Station
50 miles.
Headwind, cold, with heavy rain in the evening so we got soaked walking
back from the Ceilidh
Day 1 to Coldingham -
top of the first big hill (near Haddington)
Crossing the ford at Reed Point, just before a
cruelly long, steep hill
Sunday 4th June
Coldingham to Melrose via Greenlaw
45 miles.
Heavy rain am, overcast pm
Monday 5th June
A rest day
Crispin rode with a small group to Hawick and back
(60 miles). Sarah loitered in Melrose
with Linda and did the tea-shops.
It did not rain, which is just as well because Ian
forgot his rain jacket. However, it was
cold enough for Brian to buy woolly hat and gloves
Tuesday 6th June
Melrose to Wanlockhead via Peebles and Biggar
65 miles.
Heavy rain am, overcast & drizzly pm
Derek in the rain towards Biggar
Sarah and Brian cross the Continental Divide at
Wanlockhead
Wednesday 6th June
Wanlockhead to Ayr via New Cumnock, Dalmellington
and Straiton
55 miles.
Cold am, warming up late pm. It
stayed dry all day!
Cycling towards Dalmellington
Sarah and Brian between Dalmellington and Straiton
Kevin’s puncture at Straiton
Thursday 7th June
We woke up to discover that our deputy had deserted
us – there were loud cheers all round J
Ayr to New Lanark via Mauchline, Muirkirk and a whole
load of places I never want to have to return to on a road that was horribly
busy with big trucks.
50 miles.
Rain and wind all day
Friday 8th June
A rest day! Rode to Carnwath for lunch. Spent the late-afternoon dripping in a café in Lanark waiting for the hostel to open - it was only the company that made it worthwhile. Sarah and Linda visited the heritage centre, but were very irritated that their Historic Scotland membership cards (offering free entry) did not get them in for free.
30 miles. Heavy
rain all day.
Saturday 9th June
New Lanark to Edinburgh.
50 miles. A
tail wind, dry and sunny!
No sleep though, as youth groups from Belfast and
Glasgow attempted to out yob each other.
Sarah had three punctures on the return to Edinburgh
The group photo (Survivors of the Black Hole of New
Lanark)
Ian, Barbara, Kevin, Brian, Jenny
Me, Sarah and Linda
Not shown: John –cycled home on Friday (with his
leave note stamped), Derek from Nova Scotia– had stayed for Melrose only,
Louisa the deputy – AWOL
Lasting memories
Walking back in the pouring rain from the Ceilidh at
Coldingham LL
Everyone steaming themselves dry in front of the
electric fire in Greenlaw. LJ
The Wanlockhead hostel warden taking our wet shoes
to dry them out. JL
The smell emanating from the German cyclist at Ayr
hostel L
Sparks flying from the sole of Linda’s shoes on the
approach to New Lanark as she realised her brakes were useless
The carry-out curry at New Lanark hostel JJJ
Things to avoid
Youth groups at New Lanark LLL
Hot Tips
Goretex socks use liner socks and do not need to be
washed, while Porelle socks take an age to dry.
Major Equipment:
Crispin – Cannondale T700, Gore Cosmo jacket, Freestyle
Pertex 5 trousers, REI Goretex socks, Carradice panniers.
Sarah – Trek 850 mountain bike, Endura Dakota
jacket, Pertex 5 trousers, Porelle waterproof socks, Carradice panniers.
If any waterproof manufacturers want their equipment
tested on future tours, please contact me!
©Crispin Bennett, 2001