The Sting in Stirling
Monday Morning on the Tourist Trail
Rob Howard / 20.08.2012
The first morning of the race began with a series of stops familiar to coach tour visitors to Stirling and The Trossachs, so anyone out on the tourist trail this morning had an extra sight to see – the adidas TERREX Sting in Stirling coming through!
There were only race staff and team supporters on hand for the start inside Stirling Castle as the race began at 08.45, before the opening hours for the public. Whereas last night the start was outside the main gate, this morning the start was right inside the castle, in the main courtyard and alongside the Great Hall. Just to get inside there were several impressive courtyards and gates to pass through, and there was even a piper playing on the ramparts to welcome teams inside.
He played again just before the start itself and all the gathered teams clapped along enthusiastically, then on the count of 5 they were off, racing across the cobbles, through the gates and out into the town for the first stage, which was a short trail run to the Wallace Monument and back. This helped split the teams up before they collected their bikes and left Stirling, heading for a first challenge checkpoint at Doune Castle.
The weather was ideal for riding, overcast with sunshine and just a few drops of rain here and there. Typical Scottish weather, neither one thing nor the other, but a bit of both!
At the castle teams had to change into running shoes and follow instructions not to run inside the monument. (At the request of the owners.) Entry was through a small gate in an imposing wall, but inside it was a small castle with only a few rooms and teams were given a map with a marked route through them to follow. Somewhere on the route was the checkpoint and they were told it was below the Lion and the Unicorn. (This was a crest above a huge fire place.)
As the walked briskly around the most popular song was ‘Always look on the bright side of life’ and there was definitely something Monty Pytonesque about this brief castle visit. The other popular song for the morning was inevitably ‘row, row, row your boat’ as the next challenge at the Lake of Menteith was to row out to an island for a checkpoint in a ruined priory.
This was another short ride away and teams arrived to find a row of numbered green fishing boats lined up. The all had engines and one set of oars ... guess which the teams were not allowed to use! It was a 10 to 15 minute row out to the island, depending on how good the teams were at rowing. This is not a skill they practice much and there was a fair bit of splashing, meandering, falling about and laughing going on. Everyone thought it was fun stage and an enjoyable diversion and those not rowing had a chance to relax and enjoy the scenery.
First back were Team adidas TERREX and Mountain Hardwear, with others not far behind them and they quickly pulled off the life jackets and got back on their bikes to head for their next tourist stop – Rob Roy’s Grave at Balqhidder – but to get there they have a longer ride and leave the roads behind. They also have to make their first choice of long or short routes and as the teams are already very well spread out some may chose the shorter option. (There was 90 mins between first and last at the Lake.)
[Course Update. Before the start Nick Gracie announced CP9, on the Ben Lawers trek, had been taken out of the course. This was met with cheers as most of the teams felt the course was that bit too long.]
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