Glentress, 7 Stanes, Black Route 28/11/08
Those who are about to bite off more than they can chew we salute you...It was Scott F who introduced us to the joys of running at Glentress Mountain Bike Centre. Best done when fewest bikes around so obviously not midday Saturday, we set set off rather behind schedule Friday afternoon, starting the run about 2pm knowing we'd be running the last hour in the dark with head-torches on. However the day was very bright and frosty and made for excellent running round the trails through the forest.
The tracks tend to have the dirt rumbled away by the bikes, so the stones can be sharp on the soles of your feet: I wouldn't recommend Walshes or Salomon Speedcross IIs which I wore last time which leave your feet red hot after 2.45 of running. Better road shoes or thicker soled trail shoes. Although it would be tough going on a bike the trail isn't too technical to run comfortably. There is a lot of height gain and loss so be prepared for hills.
However every now and again you pop out the woods and the views on Friday were spectacular. After a couple of glorious hours we got to the hut at the top of the first hill – about 7 miles into it - just as the sun was setting, covering the hills in a red glow. However I was a bit concerned how we would manage the last part of the route in the dark. By the time we reached the Aerial (highest point) it was getting dark and very cold – all the puddles were frozen solid and it made the going slower and more treacherous, but as we descended, zig-zagging in and out the trees it was warmer and so less slippy.
About 13 miles, after Redemption Climb, heading to Ewok Village, we either took a wrong turn or the path was consumed by a newly constructed section of recently bulldozed road. Mary suggested left but less than a mile later the 'road' came to an abrupt end. We turned around and made our way back up the unfinished surface where to much relief we joined another path and began to see the route markers that otherwise appear regularly at every junction to guide you round the twists and turns. It was now pitch black but seeing the route markers and realising we were not going to be spending the night on the hill with dwindling light from head-torches I began to enjoy the surroundings rather than try to remember Ray Mear's / Bear Gryll's advice about how to make a shelter and keep warm in subzero temperatures when wearing mostly lycra. The only advice I could recall being “Don't leave the vehicle!” (D'oh.)
The vehicle in question was parked in the lower car-park since we had noticed a gate to the upper car-park that would be closed at 6.30pm. Which hadn't seemed like a problem until we started wandering, lost in very dark woods with minimal lights about 5pm.
Then the stars came out. Not like you see in the city. Millions strewn above the gaps between the avenues of trees, peppering the sky. Mary told me to keep my eyes on the ground ahead but I couldn't help running down the paths gazing upwards, hypnotised by the abundance of twinkling lights above. In the film, I have made an artists impression of this – I thought Mary would draw the line at stopping to take long exposure photos on such a cold evening. However she wasn't put off such adventuring; since then she has ordered us battery pack head torches online for the next night-time exploit.
A spectacular, if rather haphazard day out. The car was covered in ice when we got back to it. Nothing like a big flask of squash made up with hot water after a winter run. (Peach and lemon – quality!) We were out for 3.40 (about 17 miles) but taking a leisurely pace, especially once dark. Highly recommended weather permitting.
Report and photos pb
FILM HERE
Many thanks to Stuart H of Dunbar for the great music including the third track on the film, Still, by the Esbjorn Svensson Trio
Oh I nearly forgot to do my 7 Stanes joke: 7 Stanes, and by the finish I nearly had them all... boom boom.
