The Ken Laidlaw Scottish Borders Sportive

Rated Event: 87.8%

marka6 wrote:

Great event, great support and stunning scenery. Challenging course only let done was lack of timing as electronic timing company let them down at last minute.

Rated Event: 96.7%

wrote:

apart from the parking arrangements, this was once again a well organised event, taking in some fantastic scenery, well marshalled, a hugely friendly atmosphere, and again the feed stops were well stocked

Rated Event: 98.9%

wrote:

Great event once again. From sign on, facilities, signage and amazing feed stops it was all excellent. Course is a tough test, roads mainly excellent and pretty much car free. Big thank you to the mass of people who were involved in supporting the event, all were very friendly.

Rated Event: 85.6%

wrote:

This was the second time that I've ridden this event,this year the course was reversed,which was better, weather was variable with an outward headwind which gave a welcome push after Newcastleton and I seemed to find a pair of legs today aswell,which have been absent since the spring.Feed stops would put most tea rooms to shame ,HawickCC always seem to provide legendary feeding even on their audax's,signs were adequate but then I knew the roads,lack of timing is nitpicking,its not a race???? All in all a very enjoyable day and harder than you'd expect.

Rated Event: 93.3%

wrote:

An outstanding event in superb surroundings, with excellent support throughout and great HQ and feedstop facilities. I rode the blue (medium) route and was thoroughly impressed. People from the local communities even came out to cheer us as if we were pro riders in Le Tour de France rather than amateur riders in a local sportive/gran fondo ride.

Only two areas for improvement: timing and signage. Timing (6/10) in that there was no electronic timing despite what was advertised beforehand. Signage (8/10) in the different colour arrows for different routes would have been useful for riders to confirm that they were on the correct route, as I understand that some of the riders on the yellow (short) route missed their route split, ended up on the blue (medium) route and eventually had to be broom-waggoned. Everything else was 10/10.

I would happily ride this event again and, indeed, hope to do so again in future.

Rated Event: 97.8%

wrote:

Great event again. Cant go wrong cycling in this area with the great course being almost traffic free.

Rated Event: 98.9%

danster2605 wrote:

An absolutely great days cycling. Great course. Superbly organised, great facilities and free grub at the end. What more do you need!!

Rated Event: 99.9%

wrote:

Brilliant!

Rated Event: 97.7%

wrote:

Fantastic event, very well run. Course demanding in excellent quiet countryside. Signs and marshals excellent. Feed station looked fab, may even stop at it next year! Great rolling mass start through Hawick. Sign on at start hassle free and easy. Food at the end very welcome. Only improvements and really minor issues in the grand scheme of an excellent event are could perhaps use electronic timing and I like to see before an event who else is riding, so an entry list would be good. Thoroughly recommend this though, one of the best.

Rated Event: 96.6%

brianthesnail wrote:

Fantastic event and very well organised on the day.

Great turn out by competitors taking part but reckon that event has now become so popular that it merits electronic timing. At least that would force riders into stopping at the second food stop instead of cutting the course short (even if it is only about a mile).

Best signage I have ever seen at a sportive. The direction arrows were massive and there were loads of intermediate signs to confirm that you were still on the correct. This is quite reassuring especially if you are isolated during the ride.

Rated Event: 95.5%

wrote:

Superb again - and much better weather this year than last. Highly recommend this very friendly event.

Rated Event: 95.5%

wrote:

A really good event,not the hardest,or steepest,by any means ,but well thought out,with good feed stations,very good marshalling and a friendly atmosphere. will def' go again.

Rated Event: 96.6%

BobbyM wrote:

Superb event run on very quiet roads. Brilliant having a massed start and a nice touch to have your name announced over the tannoy as you finished. Shame about the slight hiccup with timing.

Rated Event: 98.8%

andrewmck wrote:

Great event, services, route and companionship! Over and above that we raised £700+ for Katie McKerracher Trust - huge thanks to Hawick Cycle Club! Fantastic bunch of people!

Rated Event: 93.2%

wrote:

Top event. Will be riding next year all being well. A special thanks to the motorbike marshalls, they did a great job and the girls at the top of the swire. The extra drinks got me home. Very hard to improve on and the weather was kind. The organisation was excellent. Bit unfortunate with the timings at the end but these things happen but it did'nt detract from the day. Loved the mass start and I like the PA system at the finish only wish I could of riden faster.

Rated Event: 96.6%

norrie wrote:

super day. will be back next year , all being well . thanks to everyone involved

Rated Event: 89.9%

wrote:

The quality and effectiveness of the signage was outstanding. The road surfaces were very rough with some large and dangerous potholes which were especially hard when riding in a group.The route was great and the people running the event were very friendly and helpfull.

Rated Event: 93.2%

wrote:

Had a Great time up in Scotland. Friendliness was second to none! will be back next year. All being well.

Rated Event: 99.9%

wrote:

Can you make it harder? ... only kidding, serious effort required on this ride

Rated Event: 64.4%

wrote:

Good event, loved that all the riders set of at the same time. The bad stuff was mainly that the instructions over the tannoy could not be heard past the first 5 rows and that the first feed station was past the turning for the short route so you had to double back. I'll definitly do it next year though.