Braw Lads Baw Breaker

Rated Event: 100.000%

IainMcCafferty wrote:

Just an amazing day. Great route, not closed roads but could count the cars on one hand. Great feed stations, really friendly and a great atmosphere. Genuinely testing course with a lot of climbing and gave a real sense of achievement when you got off the bike. Can't really see how it could be improved. Will do again and drag my mates along

Rated Event: 97.778%

neilmilton wrote:

excellent event made even better by the weather

Rated Event: 98.889%

Feral Goat wrote:

Great route with some serious climbs in stunning countryside. This was my first Sportive and thoroughly enjoyed it. Friendly, well organised and well marshalled looking forward to going back next year.

Rated Event: 93.333%

FrazerBell wrote:

Timing, would be good to have a timing chip. Although I understand this costs more and the £15 was exceptionally good, so as I have my garmin with accurate timing, this is a petty view from myself.

Food stations well stocked with REAL food rather than a banana and a gel. Great to have a choice of rolls, cakes, chocolate bars juice and tea/coffee. Also the food at the end was just what I was in need of. I have been to more expensive sportives costing around £35 and although you get a medal (which isn't exactly costing £35, there are less food stops and less choice, and to top it off you need to pay for food at the end. So to have this event being so cheap and having pizza, rolls, and a selection of other hot/cold food was exceptional. I expect to see the cost of this rising, and rightly so. So do it while its a bargain.

Very friendly marshals and outriders who took the time to cheer you on and help where they could with mechanicals as I had one about the 65 mile mark, and when my head was already screaming at me to stop, this was all I needed. But it was swiftly sorted and I was back on my way. Plus the music from the bike was a bonus.

Onto the route..... WOW. Having looked at the elevation chart and seeing no real long climbs I thought, ahh piece of cake. DO NOT THINK THIS!!!! This route for the first 30 miles is a breeze with rolling roads and nice senery. You hit Stow and boom the next 74miles are agony, but well worth doing. Every corner there's another hill that ramps up, then Jedburgh :( that just wasn't fair. However, don't let this put you off doing it, I shall be there again next year even if it was the hardest day in the saddle I have had, and Ive done plenty of Majorcan Cols.

Great day out, and massive thinks to Gala CC.

Rated Event: 97.778%

Redriko wrote:

Great ride with very friendly organisers and marshals, An excellent course with great scenery and some challenging climbs. There's no timing chips just a clipboard and watch which was perfectly fine. As most of us who were on the 111 mile course will have had our own computers, and I don't really see the point in timing chips if it adds cost. And at £15 this sportive was excellent value. I'll be back next year.

Rated Event: 96.667%

LesThomson wrote:

The 111 mile route is not for the faint hearted but well worth the challenge. Definitely one to tackle!!

Rated Event: 91.111%

michaeldiver wrote:

a lovely route with a couple of tough climbs, well stocked feed stops. pizza/ sandwiches/ suasage rolls at finish, good value for less than £20.

Rated Event: 97.778%

AllanMcLaughlin wrote:

A well run event from Gala CC in wonderful countryside. Hilly and challenging but well worth the effort.

Rated Event: 98.889%

GaryEwing wrote:

A beautifully brutal course, rumour has it red bull cliff divers are lining up a few of the climbs. If you have never ridden a ton before, choose another one first, but you must come back and tick this one off!! A PROPER SPORTIV challenge.

Rated Event: 93.333%

AndrewDOUGLAS wrote:

This is a true test over 111 miles of this excellent sportive.A must for all to do,but make sure you have climbing legs with you!!.....

Rated Event: 100.000%

JanetRoxburgh wrote:

Incredibly tough route but absolutely stunning. Fantastic job by Gala cycling club organising it.

Rated Event: 98.889%

leahnparry wrote:

my baws were certainly broken after this rides. Tough day out in the rain but this is Scotland!

Rated Event: 100.000%

Neil wrote:

Superb event - just as well run as last year. Route just as challenging too.

Rated Event: 100.000%

keithveitch wrote:

Absolutely amazing event. Huge Thankyou to everyone involved from the , organisation, marshals, feed stops etc. Tough course which i loved every minute of. Can't wait for next year!

Rated Event: 98.889%

DavidMccudden wrote:

Great event. Nicely laid out course and real food at the feed stations, fantastic.

I'll be doing it again next year. May even try the 109 mile route.

Rated Event: 98.889%

PipBeard wrote:

I did the 50 mile route and really enjoyed it - beautiful scenery, clearly signposted, very little traffic, and the best feed stop ever in Heriot village hall. Proper tea and even gluten free cakes - an unexpected treat. Will be back next year for sure.

Rated Event: 88.889%

ColinHolmes wrote:

Great event. A massive thanks to the broom wagon guys who could easily have chucked me in the back when they caught me with 25 miles to go - but instead provided encouragement, advice and energy gel to get me to the end when I was done in.

Route was on great roads w very little traffic, some nice climbs and some cracking descents.

Everyone from Gala CC was really friendly.

Will aim to do again next year.

Only comment for next year would be to improve the information on the website.

Rated Event: 100.000%

Neil wrote:

Very well organised - a well oiled machine.

Did the 109 mile route. Plenty marshalls at junctions and riding back and forth on motorbikes, which makes you feel like you are participating in a real professional event. 3 feed stations with loads of scran. Extremely good route - I live in the Borders and cycle all these roads, but the combination of them all was very well thought out (interesting route) and also very good for ripping all the muscles in your legs to pieces (huge amount of climbing - which is good as the long route should be a challenge).

I did another Sportive just recently that made me realise just how well organised the BawBreaker is!! Choose your Sportives carefully :-) This one is a good choice. I'll be back next year.

Rated Event: 97.778%

JohnWilson wrote:

hard last 40 miles in the long course

Rated Event: 98.889%

David Gibson wrote:

Really well run event, great venue, liked the scenery. Missed one sign near St Boswells, but that was my fault for taking the corner too fast. Got caught in one of the flash floods that the whole of Europe has been having, but at least in summer the temperature is ok for a soaking. One improvement would be more entrants - 50%-100% more would be about ideal.