The organisers of the Chain Reaction Cycles TransScotland 2007 (powered by Merida Bikes) have now announced the course that riders will follow over the seven days of the event (26 May - 2 June). The course has been designed by Pete Laing (of 7Stanes and Selkirk Merida MTB Marathon fame), who describes it as "full of exciting trails and breathtaking views". The route mixes purpose-built trails with backcountry riding, with the odd bit of quiet lane thrown in.

TransScotland will follow the same general format as last year's pioneering TransWales event, with untimed linking stages and timed special stages - a bit like a motor rally. The timed stages will once again feature individual, team relay, night-time and other formats, so there'll be a bit of strategy involved.

At the moment the course is still slightly provisional and details may change before, or even during, the event. Don't worry, though - final course details will always be available the evening before each stage and there'll be a comprehensive briefing each morning. So what's in store?

26 May Competitors gather at the Rugby Club in Selkirk for registration, equipment check, event bag handout, initial briefing and pasta party.

27 May Linking Stage 1 - Selkirk to Moffat (70km/2,100m climbing/6-7 hours).

28 May Linking Stage 2 - Moffat to Drumlanrig Castle (55km/1,600m/5-6 hours). Followed by Special Stage 1 in Drumlanrig Wood (relay or team time trial, 10km, 250m climbing).

29 May Linking Stage 3 - Drumlanrig to Dalbeattie (85km, 1,650m/7-8 hours).

30 May Special Stage 2 - Dalbeattie Forest (team time trial, 15km, 800m climbing. Followed by Linking Stage 4 - Dalbeattie Forest to New Abbey (46km, 1,200m, 4-5 hours).

31 May Linking Stage 5 - New Abbey to Moffat (65km, 1,450m, 5-6 hours). Incorporating Special Stage 3 - Mabie Forest (team relay, 10km, 300m).

1 June Linking Stage 6 - Moffat to Peebles (62km, 2,000m, 5-6 hours). Followed by Special Stage 4 - Glentress Forest (Nightrider night time trial, 10km, 400m climbing).

2 June Linking Stage 7 - Peebles to Selkirk (70km, 2,350m, 6-7 hours). You've finished! The day concludes with a finishers' party, final prize presentation and a bit of a rest.

That little lot comes to a healthy 498km (310 miles) with 14,100m (46,300 feet) of climbing. More comprehensive course descriptions can be found at http://www.mtbtransuk.co.uk/scotland/stages.php

Entries

We're told that TransScotland is filling up fast, but there are still a few solo and team places available. If you haven't entered yet, make sure you do so fairly quickly. It's going to be a properly international event, too, with riders entered from Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, the USA, Hong Kong, the Netherlands, Sweden and Belgium. The organisers will be laying on shuttles from (and back to) Edinburgh airport for anyone flying in - email the organisers for details and prices.

And check back on BM soon for details of our big TransScotland win-an-entry talent competition! That's right - you'll have a chance to get in on this classic event for nothing except a bit of time and effort. More soon - in the meantime find out everything there is to know about TransScotland at www.mtbtransuk.co.uk