Modelled after the epic Trans-Alps and Trans-Rockies point-to-point races that cross the Alps and the Canadian Rockies, the TransScotland got underway Sunday for seven days of off-road racing for 250 racers from as far afield as Hong Kong, Belgium, Sweden, Italy, Germany, Portugal, Spain, and the US. The race wraps up Saturday, June 2.
The TransScotland features a unique mix of seven daily non-competitive marathon linking stages - varying from 55km to 85km in distance - with a selection of "special stages" on purpose-built trail centers including Glentress, Dalbeattie, Mabie, and Drumlanrig. The "special stages" are competitive stages in the form of paired, relay-style time trials, with some held during the day and some at night.
The winner is determined as the fastest person to complete all four special stages in the shortest cumulative time, but racers must complete all seven linking stages.
Competitors are slated to complete a total of 498km (309 miles) and 14,100m (42,260 feet) of climbing in seven days in the following categories: solo , mixed , veteran, female, and male.
Follow the race each day on Cyclingnews, including reading Keith Bontrager's daily diary.