Punching down through the cloud cover, Scotland came into view - a patchwork of jade and gold fields speckled with spools of hay and grazing sheep. I had come here on a bit of a whim; flying up from London on a cheap flight with barely a plan beyond getting there. Travelling north west from Glasgow to Fort William, the morning clouds lent extra drama to the stunning scenery out the train window. Patches of blue could no longer contain the afternoon sun from kissing the lochs and illuminating the shadows across the emerald velvet hills.

I arrived at the mountain bike World Championships venue to find Gary and Adam just in time to breakdown and head back to where they were staying. Outside of Fort William in a village called Spean Bridge, Gary had rented a converted barn for the Maxxis crew. It was delightful and how lucky of me to be able to tag along! I spent all day Saturday at the venue, cheering like a maniac for all the American women while running up and down the course. Sunday afternoon was the men’s downhill and hoards of Scottish turned out to watch the incredible course from both the mountain and the large live screen at the base. No doubt, these folks know how to put on a mountain bike race!

I hitched a ride back to Glasgow early Monday morning with the gang and enjoyed more beautiful Scottish country side along the way. Once in Glasgow, I walked around aimlessly, taking in the sights and wandering along various interesting looking streets. I found the Glasgow School of Art and took the art-student guided tour of the famous Charlies Rennie Mackintosh building (as per Janine’s suggestion, of course). It was well worth the six quid – what a cool space. Had I been more organized, I should have done the fully Mackintosh walking tour, but I was a bit tired and so, instead, I got some lunch and found an empty spot on the grass in George Square. A light breeze, the sun beating down, and the chatter of Scots made for a perfect post-lunch nap spot. Yes, that’s right, I said sun… in Scotland. That has got to be some kind of a good omen.

It was a wonderful weekend - I got to explore a new country, reconnect with old friends, and enjoy a little bit of the travelling circus we call mountain biking - what more could a Boulder girl ask for?

--- the view from Maxxis headquarters... not bad ---

--- the women's start ---

--- crowds await the men's finish ---

--- Julien Absalon riding alone to take the win and defend his title ---

note: Unfortunately, my camera battery ran out, so no pictures of Glasgow. Don't despair, Janine, the postcards I bought at the School of Art gift shop had better shots of the school anyway!

see next post for Sunday morning's sight-seeing excursion to Urquhart Castle and Loch Ness

next: off to Geneva tomorrow for another weekend adventure riding and camping in the Alps with Deb!