Well we've finally had the first chance to get out there in the new kit in a pre-season race at Drumlanrig Castle. Stewartry Wheelers fielded 4 riders also there was Rebecca, Marcus and Janet's girl Saturday, riding in CDCC kit.

The day started dry and bright as we left Newton Stewart via Castle Douglas to pick up Angus at the bike shop, Steve just can't keep away. Leaving Castle Douglas we had to make a small detour to Tescos - Steve had forgotten the camera so a disposable was required! By the time we reached the Castle the weather had turned, it was cold and undecided in what it wanted to do.

On the way to signing on we met Bruce who was riding in the open class, Liam and Angus went for the young uns [under 16] along with Rebecca and Steve went for Auld git [40+]. The race was due to start at 2pm but due to a delay with sled dogs on the course it was rescheduled for 2.30 but it was more like 2.50 before they got going.

All the riders were called to the start,great for those of us trying to work out where our riders where in the race, just to add a bit of spice all the riders were made to leave their bikes and line up behind some straw bales, experience showed as Bruce left his at the front of the field, the others in the middle .

The whistle was blown and they were off, leaving me and Kay, Liam's girlfriend, to go and have a welcome cuppa. It would be nice to say that the clouds blew away and that the sun came back out but after 10 minutes it was snowing - good this biking lark.

Bruce soon came through clearly in the lead I've no idea of the time next time I'll have a stop watch, Liam was the next wheeler through about 10-15 minutes behind Bruce, Steve was next then Angus and Rebecca. Because of the weather the race organiser decided to stop the race at 1hr 10mins instead of 2hrs by this time the lead riders had started their 3rd lap Bruce still firmly in the lead by the time Liam came into sight he was safe in 2nd place [under 16] and could have stopped there but he had his race face on and wanted to keep going, this meant I had to run after him to get his water bottle to him, don't you just love kids!

The whistle was blown signalling the end of the race, Steve came out of the woods and down into the arena he would have carried on but the race was over. Bruce was the next to finish well ahead of the rest of the field and it seemed barely in a sweat little Angus was in he was the youngest in the field and rode a great 2 laps. Last wheeler to finish his 3rd lap was Liam showing us all that he still knows what to do with a mountain bike.

The final results where as follows Bruce McClearie open class winner and overall race winner. Liam Warner 2nd in the under 16, Steve Warner 3rd in the Auld Gits, Angus Laurie finished 4th in the under 16s. Rebecca was the leading girl in the under 16 class but was by no means the final finisher.

Last thing to say the new kit is great it's really easy to spot your riders. Roll on the new season!