Dirtschool's Andy Barlow shows us the 2009 British XC Championship course around Innerleithen - British Cycling's Luke Webber endorses a seven kilometre loop which will test the best at cross country racing's premier domestic event.
This weekend the British XC Championships take place at Innerleithen for the first time in nearly a decade, so we took an early trip to check out the all new course, guided rather appropriately by Scottish Champion and Dirtschool coach Andy Barlow.
Designed by Steve from I-Cycles as a course "appropriate for today's cross-country bike technology; where disc brakes and efficient, usable suspension is the norm" this is not a track without a history. Originally designed with a far fiercer downhill, the latest incarnation is a mixture of rolling climbs, steeper pitches and a final extended descent.
Riding the course in drying conditions the start provides the most demanding aspect of the seven kilometre track. Within seconds of battling against this draggy field you're hitting your maximum heartrate. In the dry this is infuriating at best - should the race turn wet, grass will be sucked into derailleurs to form the foundation of a beautiful sticky mess as you roll onto the first climb.
Just metres into the opening uphill you'll have already ascended further than at the Thetford National XC Series in 2008. From grass, the trail changes into doubletrack on a mud based surface, bound together with rocks and pine needles, advancing at a ten percent grade. Following around 400 metres of uphill the track briefly ducks into a natural wooded singletrack starting on a slight adverse camber over heavy pine needles and continuing to feature a small rocky outcrop into sweeping bends which drops you back onto the main fireroad.
Around a kilometre in and you've already experienced the overall feel of the course - one which is decided on climbs, but where the descents will hold significance in keeping any lead established.
The first fireroad provides an opportunity for a quick drink before swinging tight left onto the steepest and loosest part of the opening climb. This was already slippery and will demand a deep tyre tread should more rain fall on the course. Choosing an easy gear won't help matters; a sound technique with delicate power is the only option. Riding a 34-32 gear the section was passable today. Tomorrow will be another matter.
Winding up the hill such a climb is never extended and one of the reasons why these threshold efforts are soon forgotten. Don't underestimate the build up of fatigue though; over two hours and up to five laps this interval session is one that will be felt for days to come.
The first technical climbing challenge results from a sprawling set of roots when climbing backward up Innerleithen's graded XC loop; an obstacle which can only be approached with a "batter through and hope for the best mentality" Andy surmises.
Quickly returning back to fireroad and at the 2.5 kilometre point comes the first highlight descent; Lower Matador. Taking in the double jumps which can be rolled, the trail cuts left from the graded route into the natural forest. The decent is short-lived and soon gives way to the longest extended climb. Crossing the downhill track and merging onto the old XC course the climb is a mix of natural and graded surface, finally passing through the Mousetrap for a break on rolling terrain.
Reaching the top of the course all that remains is a kilometre of descent consisting of the Gold and Cresta Runs. Both descents are similar with a natural surface through a heavily wooded hillside consisting of multiple line choices, before hitting the bottom, only to face that horrid grass field once more.
Judging by the current forecast it is only hours before heavy rains hit the course, washing away all surface protection to create a scene reminiscent of Bringewood 2004. Current predictions are running at 100mm in under twelve hours, with more to follow through Saturday.
Whatever the outcome, British Cycling will keep you up to the minute with all the developments, right through until raceday. Coming tomorrow is the downhill coursewalk - provided of course you don't need a canoe to get to the bottom of the track!
