The Tour of the Meldons is one of the classic time trial events on the Scottish Calendar with a history dating back to the 1930s.
It was then that Jim Wight of the Edinburgh Road Club conceived the mountain time trial circuit including the climbs of Shiplaw and the Meldons. Though at that time the Shiplaw section was but a rough track, the course grew in popularity and the Tour of the Meldons was established.
Edinburgh Road Club organised the race for many years until the club was disbanded during the Second World War. After the war, the race was promoted by another club until it disbanded and the race was left in limbo.
In 1974 Edinburgh Road Club was reformed and in 1975 the Meldons was reborn and has continued since, enjoying a high profile by attracting top riders from Scotland and further afield. In 1998 Tommy Evans paid a rare visit from Ireland and won the event, breaking the course record on a 100” fixed! The event has hosted rounds of the former Scottish Olympic Time Trial series and has been used for the Scottish Olympic Time Trial championships on several occasions. In 2007 the course was changed for safety reasons, starting and finishing in Eddleston but retaining an uphill finish.
The Meldons Trophy, dedicated to the memory of the race’s founder Jim Wight, is a worthy addition to the palmares of any roadman or time trialist.
