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Selkirk, Scotland - 19th May.
For years Selkirk has been very popular and is the most loved round of the series amongst the MTB fraternity and is becoming very popular with our road riders as well which is why we are returning for a fourth year. Our course designer Pete Laing will be working with us again and will make sure his home round stays on top. Besides having extensive knowledge of the trail and road network of the Scottish Borders, he works closely with road clubs and road enthusiasts of the region to create a fantastic sportive course. So apart from showcasing the fantastic road riding around the greater Selkirk area, be prepared to be amazed by high rolling roads, the network of narrow hill roads linking the river valleys that the Scottish Borders is so famous for, sweeping hairpins, long and challenging climbs and the most awe-inspiring scenery the area has to offer. Vitus Road Sportive:
The first round of the Vitus Road Sportive Series returns to the most talked about round – Selkirk in the Scottish Borders for another double event. With two great sportive routes to choose from, this Road Sportive will take place at the earlier date of the 19th May followed by the MTB Marathon on Sunday. As the road sportive comes to an end, the mountain bikers will start to descend on the event village.
For more information, visit the event page or go straight to the entry page to secure your entry.
The two routes on offer route make the most of the network of narrow hill roads linking the river valleys that the Scottish Borders is so famous for.
Distance:
The sportives will have two distances to choose from:
Download Course details, maps, profiles - PDF 600KB
Standard sportive: Length: approx 47mile
Climbing: approx 1,600meters
Download Course details, maps, profiles - PDF 600KB
Classic sportive: Length: approx 95mile
Climbing: approx 2,700meters
Please note that all course details are approximate and that the course might vary from the details given here.
Course Description
None of the hill climbs are Alpine in scale but only one is less than 100m vertical and if you check the course profiles, there isn’t a flat road in between, so the ascent total soon builds up. Note: Climb highpoints are shown in square brackets.
Everyone will head out of Selkirk [120metres] along the picturesque Ettrick Valley, with 2 miles of easy spinning before hitting a single-track road that snakes its way up onto the Woll Rig [334m]. After a fast descent to the village of Ashkirk, you start a lovely undulating moorland road that takes in Blawearie, Alemoor Reservoir and The Rankle Burn before reaching the first feed stop at Tushie Law in Ettrick Valley. Here the 47’s turn east and take on two of the best climbs in the Borders, The Berry Bush [380m] and Witchie Knowe [362m] before an easy run back to Selkirk along the valley floor. The long course riders turn left and makes for the wilds of Eskdalemuir.
Given a calm day, it’s a big-ring churn up to the source of the Tima Water near the glamorously named Foulbog [334m] and on past Samie Ling Tibetan Monastery. Stop for tea and contemplation if you want but you may be persuaded to stay (in silence) for 3 years, 3 days, 3 hours, 3 mins ….you get the drift. At Eskdalemuir village (two houses and a tree) it’s a right turn and a tough peck over to Boreland through endless Spruce plantations of Castle O’er Forest. Look for a well-stocked feed table at the village.
After more winding roads, a near miss with Moffat and a marvelous 10mile climb alongside Moffat Water (blink the sweat from your eyes long enough glance at the areas’ highest waterfall, the Gray Mares Tail if you can.) the Dumfries/Selkirkshire border marks another high point [338], the return to civilisation and the start of a 45 minute rolling descent past the Borders’ best known beauty spot, St Mary’s Loch. Feed stop #3 soon comes into view at The Gordon Arms Hotel.
Next up is The Witchie Knowe [362], 167 vertical metres of hell for tired legs and the last climb of the day which turns left on reaching the Ettrick Valley road and follow the same return route as the 47’s.
The clockwise direction of each route means that the outward leg will be into the prevailing wind and like last year, there are no busy main roads included; in fact on some sections you’ll be lucky to see a car. The courses are going to be a challenge for most but choose a distance that suits your current level of fitness, get some miles in well before the big day and the reward will be some of the best sportive riding to be experienced anywhere in Britain.
Start time:
The Vitus Road Sportive will start between 8.30am – 9.30am from the Selkirk RFC.
Registration opens:
Friday from 6.00pm – 9.00pm
Saturday from 7.00am – 9.30am
Entry fee:
£27 or reduced price of £47 if you take part in the discounted ‘weekend ticket’.
Tea and cake will be served at the end of the road sportive.
Campground:
Camping will be available (included in the entry fee) from Friday night through to Monday morning at Selkirk RFC. Riders will benefit from all facilities provided at the campground and event village across the weekend. It will be signposted from Friday afternoon onwards.
Don’t forget our event photographer Jon Brooke will be at the event taking photographs of you all! The photos will be up on www.rightplacerighttime.co.uk to view and purchase a few days after each event.
To enter the event(s), visit the entry page.
For information about local services and accommodation, visit the local info page.
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