As British Cycling events page describes: "The course starts and finishes at the Gordon Arms and you start with a long climb to the Berry Bush then a fast technical descent to the Ettrick Valley. You then have a fast undulating route down the Ettrick Valley to the start of the Swire. This famous borders climb has to be ridden and can often have snow by the side of the road at this time of year, It is followed by a fast descent to Yarrow kirk and finally the homeward run along the Yarrow Valley to the finish".
It was a total coincidence that I was able to combine my new found love of the TT with a chance few nights stopover near Ettrick, en-route to Mull and naturally I just had to do the ride! Missing the official event by 6 months, there was no snow and the warming September sun was kindly doing its thing. I wasn't staying at the Gordon Arms so I had to enter the course at the base of the Cat 3 Swire Climb (should really be the Cote de Swire). It was here that I realised that the 'Mountain' reference in the TT's title was not the understatement that for some reason I had thought! This is a 3km climb at an average 8% gradient with beautiful switchbacks and views to match. Once at the top as per the route description the drop in to Yarrow Kirk is steep and with the previous evening's rain now running off across the shingle covered tarmac, some caution was required. How the riders cope with this back in March with the risk of snow and ice, I can't imagine.
After a stop at the Gordon Arms for a photo, no time for refreshments, I imagine the hustle and bustle here of the official start. On this September morning, there was a noticeable absence of anyone, let alone any other cyclists. From this official start, the 6km Cat4 4% climb to the Berry Bush is no trouble for this Devon cyclist, albeit I have some work to do with a time of 7mi 32s v the KOM 3mi 40s, although I've never claimed to be a speedy hill climber and my position of 2783 / 7078 does place me in the top half of the table, so I'm happy with that.
It managed 2 rides over this route and would definitely do it again at the drop of a hat, although probably not in March!
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