Some club members enjoyed taking part - Kevin Scott, Stewart Roberston, Steve Warner, Bruce McCleary and Jason Sinden who sent this report in :-

Sunday 1 June, 2008. It's a beautiful, dry, warm morning and I'm getting ready to ride my bike.

I should feel great- after all, I'm at Kirroughtree, one of my favourite trails, but instead, my legs feel tired and I feel sluggish. However, even as I carry out my little warm-up run, I know that my legs will survive the day.

The clock ticks away to the start, for I am competing solo in the Rowan Glen Challenge- a 10km cross country run followed by a 17km bike ride along "the Twister".

All of a sudden, we're off and as the adrenalin rushes, I soon get into a comfortable rhythm. Starting near the back of the field, I start to overtake a few runners, then quite a lot of runners. I even overtake that scary looking fell runner, with the bulging hamstrings and the skinny upper body- the running machine who looked so intimidating during warm up.

I try to pace myself- remembering the painful memories of my heroic run at the Hardrock Challenge last year, when my spectacular run time resulted in equally spectacular cramps during the bike section.

I keep looking at my watch. My legs are fine. I drink fluids at every stop (it's hot and humid). I'm ahead of my target. I keep running in my rhythm and virtually ignore the other competitors. It feels like any other training run.

1km to go. The pace picks up, and I let my legs go faster, enjoying the twisting downhill section, stretching the pace.

The noise of the tannoy is startling as we run into the transition area. I miss them calling my number (I hope they recorded me). I find the bike and squeeze energy juice down my throat. My cycling glasses mist up. I can't get my running shoes off, and somehow putting on a pair of cycling gloves suddenly seems an immensely complex task.

And then I'm on my bike. A Giant Anthem 2. She feels taut and eager. I look at my watch. It's taken me about 44 minutes so far.

I climb up the hill…easing the transition as I change to a cycling rhythm. Although I'm not pushing myself yet, it’s a fast course. I overtake my 1st rider, and then step up the pace.

Despite the race, its quiet and I'm able to just enjoy the route. There are even non-competitors sauntering along, looking out of place with their relaxed demeanour and body armour.

Half-way round, I catch up with a group. I overtake the first one on single-track before he notices. Up ahead, a man is lying by the trail, evidently in pain. "MEDIC!!!" someone shouts.

Someone is running along the track…"RIDER, RIDER!" I shout in warning, and the man jumps aside.

The group gets to the forest road, all riding fast. I go for it. The guy I just overtook goes for it. Seven guys all try to overtake each other at once in a burst of enthusiasm. I must be doing 45 kmh when a rider strikes me. I correct, braking to avoid a back wheel collision ahead. It just cost me a place as I enter the single-track in second place. I stalk my victim, sitting just behind his backwheel, listening to him pant with exertion.

He is slower than me on the uphill and I choose my moment to overtake.

"RIDER. PASSING. RIGHT"

"Good luck buddy" He smiles. We had a good play back there.

I keep the pace steady, but there seems to be few other riders around. Just before the Last Tango, my left calf starts to cramp. I pull back, knowing that I'm almost there.

Then its all downhill and I spin through the cramp. The legs are good enough to ride up that steep, killer section, where I pass another rider.

Up ahead, I see another bike. I'm gaining on him and I press on, but already I know that we are now too close to the finish for me to catch him. Despite this, I try and I thunder past the playground as we come to the finish.

Everyone is smiling and congratulating everyone. I look at my watch and am elated as I realise I have just done it in 1:46- almost 15minutes faster than my target. Later I find that I am the 7th solo.

I am unharmed, although I have someone else's blood on my arm. After a massage, my legs feel better than at the start. A good result.

Jason Sinden 4 June 2008