Border Run.
This drive evolved from our S.H.I.T. Route, it was never actually part of it. Disappointed the fun had come to an end and it was time to head home, a few of us spent the evening looking over Google Maps, looking for that last adrenalin rush on the way home. We defiantly found what we were looking for, and it was the perfect ending to S.H.I.T.
After some more exploring on Google and a test run, we managed to make a circular route starting from Carlise and decided it would be perfect for a drive out.
6th July 25
A romantic start to the day in a closed Asda carpark just off the M6 in Carlisle, this will be the morning meeting point. There are a few hotels nearby, so depending on how far away you live, it might be worth booking a hotel for the night before.
Starting the day we head North East skirting Kielder Forest Park, the road starts off fairly tame as we pass through the idyllic scenery, passing the odd farmhouse and barn. We then turn left just after Newcastleton and things start to get a little more interesting, the road narrows, the frequency of twists and turns increases, and begin to put you and your car to the test. After the village of Hawick, we turn left and head West, this is just a little cut through and it`s only a single-track road.
This brings us to the highlight of the day - The Moffat Loop,
Whatever car you are in the Loop will prove challenging, gradually ramping up the pace and difficulty, allowing plenty of time for you and your car to get warmed up. From Moffat, it`s lined with stone walls and hedges, which restrict vision and encourage a sensible tempo.
Soon enough though, the vegetation falls away and the sightlines open up. A ribbon of tarmac is laid over the landscape that has been left virtually untouched, this means you roll with the plunges, float with the humps, and continuously weave in and out of corners along the valley.
For the final part of the route, we turn onto the B709 as we head back toward Lockerbie, the road is much the same as the others we have used through the day, but will gently wind us down as we head to Lockerbie before jumping back into the M6 back towards Carlisle.
