News | Tweedlove Announce EWS Xtra – Ride the EWS Stages
Were you standing behind the tape at last years EWS in the Tweed Valley, if so I bet you thought “hmm, I wonder what it would be like to ride those stages”. Well now you have the perfect opportunity with the announcement of Tweedlove’s EWS Xtra. Event organisers Tweedlove will be keeping the race tape up for an extra day and allowing ‘normal’ riders the chance to experience the same stages as their sporting heroes, without the pressure of a clock ticking away. Here is what Tweedlove have to say:
Fancy riding the TweedLove 2015 EWS race stages without worrying about collapsing through exhaustion or the stress of being caught by the ninja enduro warriors behind you? Here’s a unique chance to shred the best Tweed Valley EWS gnar but at your own pace – yep, rest stops and everything! Thanks to Forestry Commission Scotland allowing us to keep a choice selection of trails taped and closed to the public for an extra day after the TweedLove EWS race, we are offering a limited number of riders the chance to have their own, non-racing, EWS trail experience.
The route takes in many of the best EWS trails – chosen to provide you with a full flavour of the EWS epicness. You’ll be given a route map to guide you round the stages, but you can choose to miss some out if you’re running out of time -you’ll have a cut-off time you need to be back to base, or we’ll be sending out the search parties. You’ll be given an official EWS Xtra number board to be stamped when each stage is completed, and once you’re done, just check back in to Alpine Bikes to pick up your exclusive event T shirt and EWS Xtra stickers for your bike. The ride is self-guided (via the map and signage) and everyone can go their own pace, just as long as you register at the start and finish.
You can choose to start and finish your day at Alpine Bikes Glentress or Innerleithen, but you have to finish your route at the same place as you register/start in the morning. You must sign back in by 7pm. Lunch will be available at recommended local cafes – they’ll know to expect you. It’s a long day out, but one you’ll never forget, especially if you’ve been out watching the pros shredding the very same trails in the days before.
There are a limited number of places available from each venue, so enter early if you want to get the start spot you want. Your entry fee includes access to the fully taped EWS stages (all still closed to public), event T shirt, personalised number board, map and bike stickers. Please note that riders must be self sufficient, as the course is not fully marshalled. You can refuel at the cafes, but take spares and supplies as you normally would on a big day out in the Scottish hills. This is not a race, and stages are not timed. Unsurprisingly, stages will include steep and technical terrain, so this ride is not recommended for beginners.
Cost: £25 including T shirt, number board, official map.
For full details on the event please check www.tweedlove.com.
Words: Tweedlove
Photos: Trev Worsey
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