After last night’s gloomy finish to Dam Dam Dam, even starting at 1800, we started Allermuir Upphhilll at 1830. With a small starting field and Barra ready to drag me across Swanston carpark chasing after Alex McVey’s dog Ben, I thought for a nano-second that I might do OK. Alas, the new guys – Pip, Al and Jamie were only marginally slower than Alex and gave Neil Burnett a run for his money.
The nice route setter for this race (me) skimped on the bondoo bashing tonight and gave a good trail to start followed by a brutal section from the hut before the North Ridge trod to the top. It doesn’t seem to get any easier. Taking Barra off the lead after the stables did not help my pace. I heard the gate slam on the steep climb and expected someone to pass at any moment. Barra sat waiting and watching me since every other play-thing had ran off ahead.
We regrouped at the top opting for the Downhill race while there. Alex went last and met Hilary Spencely arriving at the top. She had started after us explaining the gate noise. The same folk passed me as I plodded down, with the woods at the end seeming very dark. We chatted about the Caerketton Erraid route on Thursday and the joys of the left side of the fence on that descent while we waited for Hilary to appear.
If you haven’t started the Alt C5 Series yet you still have plenty of time so get out there and enjoy. It is getting dark early so read the route instructions and don’t follow Mike Lynch. Take a map and a headtorch if you are starting after 1830.
Mark Hartree