Heaven on Earth

I was again up bright and early, and set off from Glentress, with just the deer of the forest to accompany me, running down the road in front of me, then it was a few mils drive back to Innerleithen,http://www.7stanesmountainbiking.com/Glentress---Innerleithen  my days riding target.

Having got there, my first real task of the day…was to wish my ‘webmaster’ son-in-law Wayne, a Big Happy Birthday – like I said to someone else a while back – he doesn’t look his age (30)….but he used to !! (living with my daughter would do that to anyone !!) Wayne looks after the ‘technical’ bits for me and the blog, so ‘Thanks’ Wayne!

The trails here,although graded ‘Red’ (difficult ) were also rated as almost ‘Black’ (severe), so I anxiously scanned the trail map at the trail head, viewing my days ride….although looking at the bench, thought they may have been exaggerating !

As usual the first part was a long,slow climb up through the woods, as I went through the dense woodland, the sun had started to shine through, until I found myself..what’s the saying about the sun always shining on the righteous !!-Although I haven’t seen much of that on this trip.

Continuing up through the woods and across Minch moor, until I arrived at the top, 567 mts high. Just before I had got to the top, I had been joined by three other bikers –from Cheshire ! -and we all sat at the top, chatting for a while, before they carried on doing a longer trail, across to Glentress, whilst I remained taking in the views …

So, then I was ready, for the big descent, and it lived up to it, immediately crashing down the hillside, in twists,turns,jumps and…puddles. I was soaked,muddy and exhilarated..really enjoying the testing course, which got faster as I swooped down the hillside.

 

 

 

 

 

I was then ready for the final section, severe,skull and crossbones,rocky…what to do ? There was only one thing for it….swoop down and enjoy it, so that’s what I did,smashing my way over the rocks and jumps, taking to the air on several occasions, as I hurtled down, now ready for the finishing burst, and all too soon there I was, at the end…the sun was  shining, I was splattered in mud,even my hair was out of place ! 540 mts of ascent, in 3 hours.So, how do you follow that ? – well, firstly I went back to the fancy centre at Glentress, and had a shower, heaven,clean and warm, lovely. Then it was lunch in the cafe, look at the bike shops, and wonder where to go next.

I had been told by several people, including the postlady at home about St Abbs head, http://www.nts.org.uk/Property/82/# where I would be able to park ‘Wally’ on the cliff tops and look out to sea…so, that’s where I went, after topping up supplies at Dunbar on the way, along a road that said ‘narrow 2 mts wide’ (less than Wally !) , up along this road, almost to the now defunct Lighthouse cottages, although the Light still works. The views at the top were spectacular, but, as the cottages were now rented out I decided to drop down the hill slightly, to a parking spot I’d seen on the way up, still looking out to see, but with none in sight – a brilliant choice, as it was well protected from some overnight winds !

I then rambled around, exploring as it got dark, watching the changing night sky, and the sun set on the other side of the country, and later viewing the wonderful starry sky, and milky way in all it’s glory…. a great place to stay….I went to sleep, without closing the blinds,so I could view the sky all night long…and did , Goodnight !