Tour Doon Hame

Scotlands biggest road race event is this weekend and after a bit of uncertainty it looks like we're actually going!  3 days, 270miles and feck knows how much climbing!  I'm looking forward to it and excited but nervous.  Last years experience of the event was one to forget, failing to finish stage 1 after a double puncture and having to spectate for the following 2 days.  Hopefully this year, as part of a proper team and a lot more support it'll be a different story.

The event is based around Dumfries.  Stage 1 starts and finishes at Moffat and takes in some decent climbs around Wanlochhead.  Stage 2 is run around the hills again this time north of Dumfries itself and Stage 3 is further west again, this time finishing in Castle Douglas.  Theres 140 riders entered, ranging from hobby riders like myself to full time contiinental Pros and even ex Paris-Roubaix winner Magnus Backsted.  From my point of view its one of the simplest events of the year - theres 2 objectives: 1. Avoid crashing 2. Avoid getting dropped.  Theres no expectation that I try and get in a break, win a prime etc, just finishing will be an achievement and from that point of view its quite nice.

Looking back to last year what I'm not looking forward to is the stress of riding in the bunch.  Although theres a full police escort and rolling road closure, riding in a bunch of 140 at 30+mph is stressful.  Last years experience although brief was useful.  One of the things I learns was that the amount of time you can loose on the hills is enormous compared to how little you loose in a small split on a flatter stage.  Loosing 5minutes is nothing and not worth stressing about - at the end of the hilly stages riders will be 30-40+ minutes down!

Looking at the start list I think Endura look like the strongest team.  I'd pick their rider Jack Bauer (2nd last year) for the GC.  Lots more information at http://www.tourdoonhame.info