Scottish Lowlands Navigation Mystery Run - Sat 1st August

[BigSkyBrad]

 

Back for 2020 - An inter-area mystery run using rally-style ‘tulip’ instructions in a route-book to navigate (at your own pace) 200 miles of twisty, fun and scenic B-roads and single-tracks covering three counties off the M74 south of Glasgow . Some of the roads are absolute gems of Westie-ness, and the scenery quintessencially Scottish. Starting at Happendon Services (Cairn Lodge) on the M74, cars leave 1-2 minutes apart, for a full day’s drive to Peebles, the destination. The route can on occasion cross over itself, so it's not unusual to see fellow Westies on the run coming the other way, making you second-guess your navigation. Some of the roads will be new to even the McWesties. Included is a sealed envelope with a map and way-points to rejoin the route if you go astray (and the destination if you get horribly lost). There’s staggered fuel stops, and a lunch break to grab a bite and a blether about the morning leg.

 

It’s easier if you have a navigator alongside you, but it can be done solo with a bit of multi-tasking. A working re-settable trip-meter speedo (GPS is highly discouraged and not in the spirit of the run) and a pen is all that is required, and a clipboard is recommended to hold the route book from blowing away. If you don’t have a trip-meter, it can be done with your mileometer and simple addition, or perhaps rig up a cycle computer. Don’t forget your smiles, and some wet-weather protection just in case. The more cars the merrier, and this type of event runs better with a decent turn-out. Because the run is driven at your own pace, this is a good event for involving a navigator that may not always enjoy the usual club run-out. The route is entirely 'tulip' based - there is no map reading, so there's no excuse!

 

To make it a cosmopolitan event, we would love to see Westfields joining from areas south of the border - come up for the day, better still the weekend or maybe you could make the event the start or end of a Scotland driving holiday, and if returning south the next day from Peebles the A708 is a must. Peebles has a variety of hotel, B&B and campsite accommodation for those who wish to stay over on the Saturday night, where everyone can meet up that night to ‘de-brief’ over a meal and a pint or two, at a restaurant/pub.

 

Itinerary - Saturday 1st August

0900 - Meet at Happendon Services, M74  (Cairn Lodge)

0930 - Drivers/crew briefing

1000 - First car away, order drawn from hat

Lunch - depending on start order and pace - 1200-1330-ish

Finish - Peebles, depending on lots of things! - 1530-1700-ish

 

 

Any questions? - ask below or PM me, no question is too daft.

Up for the challenge? - then have your name added to the list below

[BigSkyBrad]

 

 

We're up for the challenge.

 

Brad and Diane (obviously!)

... and...

 

1. Gary and Trina (Gary Taylor - Scotland AO)

2. Colin and Leanna (Colsum)

3. Stephen (Judder) and Brian (H.7)

4. Alan and Helen (WoodyAlan, from Preston)

5. Jamie and Joe (Buckles23)

6. Dave and Jen (Davep1)

7. Jim and Jean (JimM)

 

Tentative...

 

Jim and Julie (Jim Cunliffe, from Bolton-ish)

Gary and William (Alfascozzesi)

A possible bunch of ring-ins - couple of Lotus Clubbers, couple of Caterhams and several KCB Clubbers.

 

 

 

[Gary Taylor]

Gary and Trina were coming

[Gary Taylor]

Saturday 1st of August 😁

[BigSkyBrad]

2 minutes ago, Gary Taylor - Scotland AO said:

Saturday 1st of August 😁

Edited! Thanks for spotting.

[Gary Taylor]

3 minutes ago, BigSkyBrad said:

Edited! Thanks for spotting.

Brian spotted it and I edited my copies of it aswell 

[AlanHodge]

Would like to join in on this, checking diaries, Alan & Helen Preston,     

[Alfascozzesi]

Missed this last time due to work but put a holiday in for the Friday and they can manage a stock take without me. 😐

 

Gary and William.

[Colsum]

Brad,

 

Count us in again. Colin and Leanna.

 

 

[AlanHodge]

We’re on for this now, Alan & Helen

[Buckles23]

Hi .. newbie to the Westfield life and this sounds like a great first outing for my son and I .. should manage to get westie reliable enough to last 200 miles by August .. count us in ! 
 

Jamie and Joe 

[Gary Taylor]

Getting a bit of interest on the Westfield fb page too 😃

[BigSkyBrad]

@Buckles23 Where are you based, will you be coming far?

[Gary Taylor]

9 hours ago, BigSkyBrad said:

@Buckles23 Where are you based, will you be coming far?

Lanark 

[Buckles23]

Yeah it’s Lanark so just down the road for me.. do I need to do anything or pretty much just turn up on the day ?? 
 

jamie