Balmashanner Hill provides fitting challenge for Scottish Cross Country racers
ByMartin Dalziel
Some of the competitors reach the top of the hill.
Forfar played host to Scotland’s elite mountain bikers as the Scottish Cross Country (SXC) series came to Angus.
The former stone quarry at Balmashanner Hill created the perfect natural course for the riders to test their abilities on the opening race of the SXC season, with riders from all over flocking to Forfar to take part on Sunday.
SXC chairman Bill Ross said the event was a success and praised Forfar for its natural terrain.
Mr Ross said: “Despite the very damp start things went very well. The terrain in Forfar is unique in that there’s the base of the quarry and tracks round about that makes it very technical in parts and parts that are very fast moving.
“It requires a range of skills to be able to get round the course.”
He added that the hospitality his team were shown and the stunning backdrop of the Forfar War Memorial at Balmashanner combined to create a great day of racing.
He said: “The local farmer has been brilliant, as has Mike Milne, the organiser who is from Forfar.”
