Bluegrass Enduro Tour - Kinlochleven: Video
22 June 2013 | By AngusMcIntoshLast Weekend The 3rd round of the Bluegrass Enduro Tour International was held at Kinlochleven in Scotland: a land of vast, unspoilt natural landscapes.
Last week-end, the Bluegrass Enduro Tour International brought MTB enthusiasts to the Highlands. After Castelbuono in Sicily and Mollau in Alsace, once again there was a total change of scenery!
On Saturday, in the late afternoon, it was time for the prologue and for reconnoitering Sunday’s course which was open all day. The sky, which had been clear up till then, darkened around 6pm and it was in the drizzle that the competitors made their way up to the Prologue startline. A mist hid the banks of Loch Leven below and the atmosphere suddenly felt very ‘Lord of the Rings’! The first special stage which was an all downhill run, made more complicated by the rain, was won by Joe Barnes who took the lead in the men’s race and his sister Hannah did the same in the women’s.
The next day sunshine welcomed the competitors right from the start of the first liaison set for 8.30 am. Half an hour of climbing later the riders found themselves on a spectacular highland plateau and the liaison gave them half an hour more of great riding up to Blackwater reservoir, yet another stretch of water in a landscape of breathtaking beauty.
Now it was time to get serious and the single tracks followed rapidly one after the other. Special races 1 and 2 were very close together though a longer liaison came between race 2 and 3.
A barbecue was waiting for the competitors at the end of the 3rd special, said by most of the riders to be the most difficult as it was strewn with small climbs which demanded constant effort. The hamburgers cooked on a wood fire were enjoyed by everyone, before setting off for the last liaison, half road and half track, which took the competitors to the start of the 4th special of the day – a total downhill. On the way, stunning view over Loch Leven.
At the end of an amazing day of racing, and after over 20 mins of timed specials for the fastest, it was Joe Barnes who won in front of James Shirley and Liam Moyniham. The winner of the women's was Katy Winton.
Exceptional courses, impeccable organisation and a brilliant atmosphere, all the ingredients which go to make the Bluegrass Enduro Tour such a success were once again present at Kinlochleven. Don’t miss the 4th and last stage of the Bluegrass Enduro Tour International 2013, the 21st and 22nd September this year at Ballyhoura in Ireland. Enter here
More info: www.bluegrassendurotour.com
