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My wife has arranged a holiday in Scotland in a few weeks, and much to my delight has dedicated a day to mountain biking!
Our base will be Ballater, and I'd like her to enjoy the experience rather than it frighten her.
She's perfectly fit but hasn't ridden anything more technical than paths around Amsterdam.
So, any suggestions for the beginner? I've been looking here: http://www.mtbtrails.info/Trail_Venue.aspx?VenueNumber=52#TrailNumber540 and the Loch Muick/Glen Muick rides look about right, but I don't know how easy 'easy' is.
It'll be a relaxed spin with seeing landscapes the main attraction, so mileage isn't a problem (within reason).
Any suggestions would be welcome, as well as the best place to rent a bike for her.
As an addendum - if there are any trail centres/more exciting shorter routes for me, let me know - she's happy for me to go off for a tear whilsts she gets into a book! 😀
Look on Trailforks there’s some fun short ‘enduro’ trails off the hill half a mile NE of Ballater .
One trail called Mastermind.
And that’s for you not her, some of it’s a bit techy.
Look at Glen Tamar and some of the rides around Gelder Sheil and Loch Muick, although the ride over to Clova could be a bit much.
Braemar and Linn of Dee tracks too.
The loch Muick ride is essentially fire road round the loch. Narrows towards the far end and gets a bit singletracky for a wee while but nothing too hard. Glen Tanar is a good shout. About 15 mins away by car and beautiful. Lots of fire road routes.
If you get an hour to your self check out heartbreak ridge.
I'd recommend doing the Round the Coyles of Muick for a non-technical ride and extend it up to loch muick. I wouldn't recommend taking her along the singletrack at the far end of loch muick it'll almost certainly be a push for her the whole way and probably some for you too (my wife didn't thank me for it and she's comfortable on trail centre reds). There's also always just pedalling down to Deeside way to Aboyne and Glentanar is a good shout also.
Look on trailforks for stuff for yourself, there are some great trails down from the masts on both sides of the river and if you can't spare the time (i'd suggest more than 1 hour required) to do heart break ridge you will regret it. The trails at Aboyne are incredible at the moment if you manage to get a bit more time.
If you can get to Braemar, then go to Linn of Dee and cycle to Derry Lodge. Simple riding, family friendly, great area and views. Take a picnic.
Plenty of decent easy / scenic trails around the place that you can ride.
- The fireroads around Glen Tanar are ace.
- Plenty of decent tracks behind Balmoral
- Loch Muick is incredibly scenic
- I can send you a decent lenght route from Balmoral, up Glen Gairn and back past the castle
- Ride out from Braemar to Derry Lodge is a dull ride but very scenic
For you, Heartbreak and Mastermind should be definites. They're both brilliant.
If you need to hire a bike, CycleHighlands is where you need to go. In the pavilion next to the carpark in the middle of Ballater.
Also near Braemar, the cycle up Glen Ey is totally non technical and very scenic. Has a bit of an uphill drag near the start but after that is a very slight rise all the way to the old lodge. Good picnic spot, then an easy blast back. All on Land Rover track.
Here's a good (technically easy but some climbing) circular ride from Ballater itself, so no need to drive:
Start in the town centre and leave on the main road north-westwards as far as the very small minor road on the east side of the Gairn. Follow that up to the converted steading at Lary, then continue up the track towards the track junction at 380m, shortly before Morven Lodge. Turn east and climb again, still on land rover track; keep eyes peeled for adders if it's a pleasant day. Continue east to the open stone shelter at 513m spot height, turn R and descend, skirt past Redburn and out onto the minor road; turn R again to Burn of Vat carpark. Turn in here and take the singletrack climb at the back of the carpark. Climb steadily; a few stones and roots, but pretty mellow. When you pop out onto a track at the top of the gully, turn left (west) and follow this along and then steadily down until you encounter another car park. Out at the exit onto the main A93, straight across, look R and join the Deeside way for a flat trundle back to coffee & cake in Ballater.
Thanks for all your suggestions so far guys; looking forward to it!
I've taken my wife on that Loch Muick/Glen Girnock ride. She is only happy on trail centre Greens so is definitely doable, you will need a mountain bike though. If you want someone to show you around let me know, I am usually available.