Medium Bike Course Description
Note – for the Medium race bike first then
run – transition will be adjacent to
Buzzard’s Nest Car Park (near entrance to skills
loop). Alternative lower level courses will be used
if weather is bad or vehicle access to Buzzards is
impossible
BIKE ROUTE (12.2km, 425m climb)
(Please take extreme care if checking out this route
prior to the event as it uses paths meant for walkers
and horse riders – respect other forest users!!)
Start on main track just north of Buzzard’s
Nest Car Park. Follow main track and at first track
junction turn right (Anderson Road) then first left
(signed for the radio mast). After approx 400m the
track forks - keep to the left (lower track). Follow
this track gradually climbing for approx 2km. Where
the main track ends turn down to the left following
a grassy track (just before start of Goat Track single
track). At the bottom of this grassy track turn left
onto the main track. This descends gradually. After
approx 0.8 km look out for a walkers’ path
on the right (beware sharp turn back on yourself).
Turn down this walkers’ path (grassy track)
towards Shieldgreen Centre. Initially this is downhill
single track then levels out with an undulating section.
At the T junction with another wider track turn right
and climb out of the valley on a grassy track. At
the top of the climb turn right onto the main track.
At the next track junction turn left and climb gradually.
When the track levels out look out for the black
route crossing over – turn left down this single
track through the forest emerging above the Shieldgreen
Centre (keep to the right as this is part of the
black route and cyclists will be climbing towards
you). When you emerge from the forest cut straight
across onto a walkers’ path (steep downhill
grassy track) which comes out at Shieldgreen Centre.
Continue down to the bottom of the track then turn
left onto the main track than runs below the front
of the Centre (heading back towards Peebles). Follow
this main track and as it starts to climb take a
grassy track on the left (through wooden gate) that
climbs back out of the valley. Continue up this track
to the point where it joins the walkers’ path
on the right (path you descended down earlier). Note
- this next section is two way although the majority
of riders should be through this section before the
fastest riders return. Turn right onto the walkers
path and climb out of the valley (last section is
steep climb on grassy single track). At top of climb
turn right onto main track. Continue along main track
taking left fork at next track junction. After passing
the entrance to soor ploom (black route) which is
on your left turn right onto a small path (natural
trail) through the trees. This joins a walkers’ path – turn
right. Follow this path round the back of the skills
area – note steep downhill section where it
joins main track. Turn left onto main track with
gradual rise towards transition.
RUN ROUTE (7.2km)
From the transition area follow the marked route
towards the Buzzard’s Nest Car Park and then
take the main track uphill (north out of car park – same
as for start of bike course). Turn right at first
track junction (Anderson Road) then left at next
junction (signed radio mast). Bear right at next
track junction and continue on this main track up
the hill, emerging from the forest into an area of
felled forest. When the track starts to flatten out
turn left onto a walkers’ path (Tower Walk).
This path climbs to the site of an old fire tower,
continue along this path and drop down into the forest
again. Follow this undulating path through the forest
until you reach the run turn (Grotto in the woods!).
Collect a tag at the Grotto and return by the same
route until you reach Anderson Drive. At this point
cross straight over onto the walkers’ path
(same as used at the end of the bike route). Follow
the path round the back of the skills area, turn
left onto the main track and return to The Finish
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