We’re on the road to nowhere

WE’REONTHE

Lucy McTaggart reflects on a season in the Scottish Borders, plagued by the pandemic, but which still offered plenty to celebrate and enjoyROAD

TONOWHERE

WORDS & PICTURES

LUCY MCTAGGART

The elusive snow hare

THIS TIME LAST YEAR we were just beginning what would turn out to be one of the most difficult years of most of our lives – on and off the bike – and now, a year later, we’re still fighting our way back to the things we love to do.

Our Scottish Borders Randonneurs (SBR) group was formed five years ago with the aim of encouraging more local riders to have a go at Audax, while also supporting our regular riders to go onwards and upwards to the longer rides. We had good plans in place ready for 2020. Then came Covid-19, and our strategies for the year – as well as everything else – were scuppered as lockdown began. It was just luck that the previous autumn we’d put together a year-long challenge within our SBR events. The “Super

Rouleur”, based on AUK’s randonneur 1000 – so 100km, 150km, 200km and 300km rides, over any rolling 12 months from when the rider did their first counting event, all done within SBR events. We thought it would encourage newcomers, and give those not wanting to do an SR something to go for.

❝… We had good plans in place ready for 2020. Then came Covid-19, and our strategies for the year – as well as everything else – were scuppered as lockdown began ❞

Ettrick Valley in it’s Autumn Splendour

Scottish Borders Randonneurs Chase the Snow Hare to Sanquhar… from left, Russell Carson, Michael Browne (SBR Groupie),Graeme Walsh and Elaine Scott

The March lockdown loomed and with a record number of riders entered for the brand new Snow Hare 200km – a relatively easy terrain route from Galashiels via the Tweed valley to Peebles and on to Broughton and Biggar before crossing the beautiful gradual climb of the Spango pass across to Sanquhar, returning by the same route.

Everything was set – hall booked, brevet cards done, cafés alerted, food bought, finishers’ medals made, and helpers at the ready. We managed one last trip – up to Forfar to take part in Dave Husband’s marvellous Scone 100km. It proved to be the last time we’d be able to meet up as normal and maraud across the countryside, descending en masse to cafés, hoovering up soup and cake before continuing on. The following Monday came the news we were dreading. All events suspended. The Snow Hare would have to sleep for a while longer.

Initially there was so much to do, we no time to be fed up with things. We had almost as much work unarranging as arranging but eventually the event rolled over to spring 2021. Here’s hoping we may just make it to run this time.

Meanwhile Borders Randonneurs members pondered their fate and looked for things to keep them going. Lots of photos were posted to our page of solo rides to keep each other going. For us, our allotment never looked so good as summer 2020. All those non-cycling DIY jobs actually got done.

We all worked within our solo cycling daily ration to keep the wheels turning and keep the brain sane. We were grateful for the wonderful summer weather so that even being confined to base wasn’t so bad. Eventually DIYs were allowed to restart, which meant we could hatch a plot for a few of us to go and see the Snow Hare’s roads.

On 1 August a small group left Selkirk for Sanquhar, while I set off from Galashiels with the intention of meeting them later in the ride, giving myself a head start, knowing they’d be quicker than my

Crossing paths… Ross Connell near Sanquhar on the Snow Hare DIY

❝… The Twilight Zone at the start of October attracted a very stroppy weather fairy – only three intrepid riders managed to finish in the cold, pouring rain ❞

current slug-legs speed.

Two others started from nearer Edinburgh to do a different route but still aiming for Sanquhar. I didn’t get to see the Selkirk group until the return leg from Sanquhar to Biggar where we briefly stopped to chat. It was good to see all the smiley faces, over the moon to be back out. It was a marvellous day. That night I was still wide awake with excitement, and wondering whether a Super Rouleur might still be possible.

A few weeks later calendar events restarted, with our 300km Twilight Zone being on the first weekend – 12 September. Two weeks before the event I set out with fellow SBR Ross Connell to do a route check. The plan was for me to ride with him to Longtown, launch him away to the turn at Alston for the full 300km while I turned and went home with the tailwind for a 200km.

It seemed like a good plan but I would live to regret not doing the full distance while I had the chance on a decent day. I’d be too busy to ride on the actual day. The Twilight Zone at the start of October attracted a very stroppy weather fairy – only three intrepid riders managed to finish in the cold, pouring rain.

My hopes of a Super Rouleur were gone for the year. I was glad we made it a rolling 12 months, so I can look forward, I hope, to Russell Carson’s hillier reincarnation of the hilly enough already Reiver Fever 300km in May this year.

Our first calendar event back went well. It was necessarily basic with groups of no more than five riders and each group ten minutes apart. Covid paperwork was all signed off, and riders were safely away on a pretty good day,

Riders leave the St. Mary’s Loch cafe

❝The few cafés we used were pleased to see us back – and riders were happy to be back too ❞

The Snow Hare roads in winter

and everyone safely back and accounted for. What a relief.

The weeks passed and we counted off our planned autumn events with relief as each one went successfully. The few cafés we used were pleased to see us back – and riders were happy to be back too.

We made it through the autumn and did eventually run a very low-key Snow Hare which gave a few riders the chance to finish their Super Rouler. The weather was foul and very windy. One rider who has to get a mention is Mark Sorsa-Leslie who did his first ever 300km on the Twilight Zone in September. He teamed up with Randonneur Chef Cuisinier du Route Joseph North who was a calming influence.

We’re all hoping that 2021 will bring better times though it does look like we’ll have some restrictions to endure for a while. Maybe other Audax groups might consider a local Super Rouleur award. It certainly gave our riders an achievable focus for the year.

It will feel incredible when we can get back to being “normal” Audaxers.