Hawick - any roadie knowledge please?

[numtumfutunch]

Hi

We're staying just outside Hawick over Christmas and Im hoping to get a sneaky ride or two in.

Ive had a look on Strava to see where people have been and to be honest it all looks good but a personal recommendation would be much appreciated for a 50km and an 80km loop. Quiet B roads preferred as we'll be chatting, not chain ganging it for PB's. And hills expected too!

Cheers

[Vanordinaire]

I'm a few miles outside Hawick. TBH, not much of a roadie anymore (current road bike is a remnant from my haydays in the eighties), but there are hundreds of decent routes in and around Hawick. Have to say the best are also the hilliest though. I'd be looking at the Borthwick, Yarrow, and Ettrick valley roads and using some of the many single track hill roads to link them into a circular route.

[Gilhooligan]

I used to live south of Edinburgh, so have explored a lot of the Borders area on the bike. Most of my experience though is to the west of Hawick. One of the most popular circular routes in the area is Talla reservoir, Innerleithen, Peebles loop which is around 80km. You’ll have to drive over but it’s worth it imo (google talla reservoir).

https://cyclescottishborders.com/route/megget-tall...

Failing that, closer to Hawick, the B711 and B6399 offer a few options to make a loop.

[Dark555]

All the classic Borders climbs in a single route! https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28439387

[numtumfutunch]

Many thanks for the info so far
Looks like great riding country

Cheers

[Vanordinaire]

How are you getting on? We've had some pretty good cycling weather for December this week.

[numtumfutunch]

Vanordinaire said:

How are you getting on? We've had some pretty good cycling weather for December this week.

It was absolutely bloody brilliant thanks

Theres a noticeboard in town with a few suggested loops so I did a couple of these and then found an old route on Strava for the Ken Laidlaw sportive which was excellent, I did the 80km to avoid family "issues."

Quiet roads, few cars, fewer cyclists and very, very polite and patient motorists

Cheers