I got woken up last Sunday at 6.15 and then again at 7.15, and was not a happy camper. Was due to be down in the Borders and realised that I might as well take the Elise for a final blast.
On Saturday I'd spent a fair bit of time with wax (2 coats) and changing the suspension back
Before i go on from the pictures, can you guess my route - I've been this way a few times with some of you during the last 3 years of SN04's existence.
The weather was pretty rough, but lashed on a scarf, and hat and through the roof in the back. Left about 7.40.
Set off past hillend, still in a bit of a red mist, and as per usual took the wrong road to get to Moffat! Still, heading down the A703 and out past nine mile burn gave the a few good opportunities to discover one of the reasons I instantly bought this car - 2nd cam. With the roads still quiet, overtaking was simple and I was reminded just how awesome 2nd cam can sound, especially as you start to push on through 7000rpm.
I managed to find a little road signed for Penicuik after about 12 miles and darted along it. It was a totally unfamiliar route, but even in slippy conditions the Elise is so responsive, you really appreciate it when you drive an E-class on a daily basis.
Finally I'd found the right road and set off towards Moffat. I knew Neil P would be pissing himself laughing if he'd have witnessed me!
Coming out of a village, and still getting used to the light steering (caused by changing back from A048's on Exige wheels to the standard rims) wondered about how slippy the road was. Hit slush coming round the bend, had a slight sideways moment, and was now firmly awake. The feedback is just awesome, and controlling it I always feel like the car is doing a fair bit to help sort me out.
The run to Moffat I always view as a warm up. Its a good road, but nothing on St Mary's loch. Light traffic, a very brief spat was a 330i, and I was in Moffat.
Pulled in to the town square, which was deserted. Thought how many times I'd seen it littered with Elises, and how lonely the sole one there currently looked! Quickly took a picture, for fear of looking like a dandy and got on my way.
Set off toward Selkirk and put the pace up a bit. Loving the fact I was changing gear more out of excitement than need, I was pinging along and trying to practise Walshy's left foot braking, while heel and toeing while changing gear, which will make sense to those of you who have seen him drive, or watched his DVD. To me its seems about as easy as ballet dancing, and the first time I get it right ...awesome.
You would be happy you weren't a passenger at this stage as the progress is smooth when i get the new foot work right, and squirrelly when I get it wrong.
Heading up the road though, I'm getting flash backs.......
1. This is where Shug went massively airborne
2. This is where Stu's 160 lost all its water
3. Remembering heading to Newton Stuart flat out one cloudless summer day
Its a great road and for those of you that haven't done it, you should do, especially as it can be extended to go on roads that are closer to go-kart tracks south down to Newcastleton.
Keep it nailed, pass the Gordon Arms, and pull in once i'm round the Loch. Theres a great bit for accoustics around there, where you've a wall on one side and the Loch on the other - 2nd cam - stage 2- rude not too.
Other bizarre things happen to remind me of the 111r's journey to this point - under steer, over steer, a deer (this time i miss it), other road kill (this time i miss it). The one i don't want to see remains unlit (the MIL light).
Selkirk arrives to quickly, and i know from there I've some a few dull miles till I get to the gattonside bumps.
The bumps is a road where you can get airborne 7/8 times in a mile, and some of them are quite lively in an Elise, unless your name is the Bandit.
Had a hoot going down the road down to the Leiderfoot bridge.
Itys a tiny 1 lane bridge, which has a left hand turn that once you arrive at allows you to see if there's anyone coming your way, and if you are lucky a spot of oversteer - I was lucky
Took the long way to my parents up the hill to Scotts View, and enjoyed each and every very slippy bend!
Arrived to my Mum commenting about how she could hear me arriving for the last 5 minutes
(before you ask no laundry present)Its been awesome having a Lotus, and i'm going to miss it. The best car I've owned, which says something after my luck last year!
I really want black wheels now!
