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I was within earshot of the nearby A701 and was surprise by the
number of vehicles traveling through the night. I expect many
were the logging lorries as they seem to travel round the clock.
It was very mist outside as the forecast said it would be. I
packed up to get away as soon as possible as rain is forecast
for later. |
Misty Devils
Beef Tub |
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It was a concern as I rode up the last part of the climb to the
summit of the Devil's Beef Tub pass as it wasn’t light yet and
the mist continued. I had lights on rear and front. At the
summit layby I stopped briefly to look at the information board
then continued to the monument to the Postmen or ‘Postie Stone’
who died. James McGeorge and George McGeorge perished in the
snow on 1st February 1831. |
Postie Stone |
Into the Scottish Borders |
Near the source of the Tweed |
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As I started my descent the weather cleared but I kept my rear
light on until I reached the right turn off the A701 on to the
minor road to Talla Reservoir at Tweedsmuir. Then continued to
the reservoir dam then diagonally up the embankment to continue
along the north side of the reservoir. Towards the end I could
see the continuing road going very steeply up the hillside and a
sign saying 20% gradient. I started to ride up but was soon
going slower than walking pace so got off and pushed the bike up
the first steep section. |
Talla Reservoir valve tower |
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Apparently the climb is known as the Talla Wall. Before the top
the gradient eased and I was able to ride over the summit. The
landscape opened up and I had good views down towards the next
reservoir which is Megget Reservoir. |
By
Megget Reservoir |
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I continued to the road junction with the A708 at Cappercleugh
and the AA box which looked like it had been cleaned or newly
painted. I continued east by St Mary's Loch and was fortunate to
have a tail wind. When I reached the Gordon Inn a cyclist came
out from the road on the left and rode & chatted for a while
before leaving me and continuing ahead at speed. I reached the
road branch at Yarrow and set off up the long steep climb
towards Witchie Knowe. |
AA
Box 723 |
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I continued up the climb and rode the whole way but the weather
deteriorated near the top and I had to stop by the summit to
shelter to try and dodge the heavy rain. When it eased I
continued down with my cycle cape and stopped at a stream to
fill my main water containers. A short way down the road I
pushed my bike up the hill to a camp pitch I used the last time
I was here. I got the tent up and waited for the heavy rain that
came later. There is a good phone signal but patchy FM for the
radio. R2 OK but R4 only LW. |
Camp
above Ettrickbridge |
A miniature wee dram, last of Fathers Day presents |
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