Back to the Scottish Borders for this year’s cycling holiday, and
we enjoyed the best weather we have ever had in the 10-years or so we’ve done
these trips!
Route grading using Cycalc.
View Cycling 2014 in a
larger map
The map can be zoomed and panned to follow our cycling route.
Here is a selection of photos of our holiday, approximately in
order
Julie at the border between Scotland and England at Yetholm Mains
In this month of the big decision, which way will Julie vote??
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We started our holiday from the Buccleuch
Arms Hotel, St Boswells. Our day would takes us 42-miles with 2500ft ascent to
the Lindisfarne Inn, grade mild-D(52W)
Within the first mile we get our first view of the River Tweed
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Julie celebrates completion of the first hill of the holiday. The
weather was fabulous!
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For part of our route we cycled on The Border Loop, the full route
of which we did 10-years ago. Julie had lots of opportunity to graze
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Small deserted roads are
numerous in The Borders. Finally we see the sea and the island of Lindisfarne
Day-2 was 35-miles with 2675ft ascent, grade mild-D(63W): 7-miles
less than day-1 but with much more climbing. We cycled almost due west to
Jedburgh
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We very much enjoyed our stay at The Lindisfarne Inn.
We cycled back to the west, and had views of Cheviot for most of the day
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We visited Routin
Lynn: an important site thousands of years ago, situated on the Milfield Plain, with some of
the earliest evidence of human occupation in Europe
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Long quiet roads through Northumberland
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There was time for tea and cake
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We cycled through the valley of Bowmont
Water
And finally we arrive at Glenbank House Hotel in Jedburgh, for a well-earned rest
Day-3: 30-miles with 2550ft ascent, grade hard-C(68W), and even
more climbing than the day before; our route would take us from Jedburgh to Ettrickbridge.
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Another sunny day, and this day began by going down the hill – a
rare treat!
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We cycled along the valley of the river Teviot. Around Jedburgh
you are rarely out of view of Rubers Law, a prominent
conical hill
We cycled past Fatlips Castle, where: One
of the pleasures of a visit to Fatlips used to be
that "every gentleman, by indefeasible privilege, kisses one of the ladies
on entering the ruin."
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More tea and cake, this time at the Jammy Coo, Lilliesleaf
After the Jammy Coo, over indulgence made the second half of the
day rather difficult. We were glad to finally reach The Cross Keys at Ettrickbridge
Day-4: Ettrickbridge to Moffat, 42-miles with 2930ft ascent, grade hard-D(60W), the
first of two ‘hard days’.
The valley of the river Ettrick is fabulous cycling: the road is
so remote it rarely sees cars
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Mile after mile completely free of traffic
Our halfway tea-stop was at the Samye-Ling Tibetan Centre
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A fascinating ‘piece’ of Tibet in the heart of Galloway
Where is the world’s narrowest hotel? Moffat
of course!
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And finally we make it to the hotel: the Annandale Arms
Day-5: 36-miles with 2960ft ascent, grade mild-D(64W), from Moffat to Biggar, the second hard day of the holiday.
Another day in the wilderness – one with strange offerings??
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I ‘neglected’ to mention that there was a ‘rather interesting’
off-road section. Julie’s impression of annoyance was very convincing!
We arrived at the Elphinstone Hotel and
were ready for a rest
Day-6, the penultimate day: 28-miles with 1670ft ascent, grade
mild-C(61W), from Biggar to Innerleithan.
10-years, effectively to the day, since we were at this exact
spot, and took almost the same picture:
The weather was even better in 2004, on The Border Loop
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A nice gentle day, with quiet roads through valleys and rolling
countryside
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An easy day, yes: but we did sleep well! The Traquair
Arms Hotel
Last Day! 25-miles with 1660ft ascent, grade hard-B(65W), from Innerleithan to St Boswells.
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We followed the River Tweed for (almost) the entire day
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It was a relaxing last day of the holiday: following the Tweed to
Scott’s View
We enjoyed the best weather we have ever had on our cycling holidays:
a bit hazy at times, but no wind or rain!