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Was up yesterday, had been looking forward to it.
There had just been some rain, feedback from someone who rode it on Friday and Monday was there was a lot more grip after the rain.
They know how to build trails on that terrain so fairly certain it will improve over time. The amount braking bumps four days after opening were interesting though!
The lack of features seems a bit of a miss, some jump/drop options with chicken lines would have broken up the top part. Worst part for me (as previously mentioned) was the ditches in the run off areas with giant boulders in them. Those are gonna make a fall hurt. Also seemed to be some corners that tightened just as you'd expect them to exit (some with rocks on the line the corner sets you up for) and some S bends that neither the high line or straight line set you up right for the last one. Last negative, it will also be a long walk down on the trail if it turns out to be too much for a family expecting trail centre flowy blues.
Pleased they made it though. The picnic benches on the way down were a nice touch and there were plenty of safe passing places. Hopefully with a few tweaks (moving the boulders in the most likely crash sites!) and the track bedding in it will prove a good family option/warm up prior to Top Chief/WC trails. The lower sections were also really good, pretty much from the bridge IIRC.
One that stick in my mind is the entry to the bridge, where you see the bridge but the trail turns right over a blind crest- the natural instinctive line is to go straight for the bridge, but there is a large ditch there ready to catch you out. The perfect place for an inexperienced rider to panic and have a big off.
Yep, both runs down I got close to that ditch, there were nasty rocks in there too.
@boardinbob It was me who referred to Mctrail rider's video. I'm a subscriber to his patreon channel I probably saw it on there Maybe it'll appear on YouTube in a few days or weeks.
I don't think there will have been any any pressure from Nevis Range.
I do wonder if it basically just isn't finished but they felt that it was better to get it open as it is and build more features/berms over time than keep delaying it opening, not saying this is a good plan but you can see the logic. IIRC there have been steady improvements to top chief over the years. In terms of the surface whenever a new trail is put in or resurfaced there seems to be problems with grip which once the trail beds in become less of an issue.
I'm of the same opinion joe, you can't blame them, folk were desperate for it to open, NR same as many other businesses need money going in. As said by a few, it'll bed in, and then be improved over time.
Wasn't someone saying on another thread that there was a work party planned for October?
or did i make that up?
So in summary, people don't like flat corners? 😆
My daughter hates berms!
So in summary, people don’t like flat corners?
They'd have a meltdown in the PDS. Trail building there equates to scraping the top soil off, sticking some blue or red signs up at the start then letting folk ride. I'll never forget when the new Pleney red was "built" a few years ago. Came round a corner and found two folk in tears desperately clinging on to the side of the vertical mud chute
So in summary, people don’t like flat corners? 😆
Some don't! In reality, when riding outside of groomed stuff, you'll rarely come across a bermed corner anyway.
I promise you chaps, it's not just a dislike of/can't ride flat corners (I'm the opposite cos I'm absolutely Barry White round berms!)
I wish it was better than it was, I truly do and I'm very hopeful it'll improve over time.
i think it looks interesting anyhow, seems to me that the obvious thing for it is to have a red trail coming off where the blue/black crosses too, that way, you've go 2 options to start it, and then 3 options from that cross over point.
I'd have a guess the corners are flatter to keep the speed down and make it less intimidating for all levels. Few of the vids have a lot of kids on it, which is only good for the sport.
We did Coed y Breinin and LLandeglas Blues and skills areas with my 10 year old (who is ok on his bike rather than a budding EWS/Little Ripper), a good Blue trail is hard to build isn't it?
That said it is possible as has Glentress proved.
When all the trail centres were first built the Blues were mostly an afterthought but there is no excuse for making them dull now surely? Fingers crossed it beds in nicely and they tweak it as they go.
Moving forward, as a parent, I'd like to see Blues with Red options to keep it interesting and allow progression/provide interest. We all enjoyed the new Red flow line part way round Llandegla.
My first thought on watching the Street Pigeon vid was to cringe a bit looking at some of the big rock-filled ditches waiting to catch someone who gets a bit late on the brakes. Hopefully the surface will sort itself over time.
Andrew's vid is out
@Boardingbob
Do ye not remember the mess the blue was in at Comrie when first built and opened
All the berms collapsed as they couldn’t hold up the weight of the bikes hitting them
Closed for ages and remoulded and they’re still not great
Mibbe they realised at Fort Bill that it wasn’t worth putting in huge berms for them to just collapsed and end up with huge holes in them
Even Terry’s belly wasn’t built with huge berms and was opened to huge accolade as it was uk’s longest blue
Ah well the forecast is for sun tomorrow so maybe I should drag my fat arse around the places where a berm should (or should not) be
Was up today and did a few runs. There are a few corners that are pretty loose earth and a lot of the corners don't feel very linked. Saying that, it got better as I came to know what expect.
Then you get down to Blue Steel and the Top Chief Goat Track and remember how flow trails should be.
I do think they've made some bus stop corners on the upper part of the trail to try to bring people's speed down a bit.
Overall, I don't think that it is worth travelling to Fort William just to do this trail but it is a reasonable addition to the Nevis Range.
I'd still rather go many other places in Scotland to ride though.
Is McTrail Rider also The Hoof GP?
I quite like Mctrail Rider usually, but he's come across a bit dickish there tbh.
I think Mctrail rider has assumed that the trail is aimed at the likes of him. I think it may well be aimed at a larger potential market of people who are happy to ride easier and less committing trails. That could be an awful lot of of £25 quids for the gondola.
Call me a cynic but it looks a bit like they haven't really finished the top section but wanted to get it open in time to sell some gondola tickets to bikers before the weather gets too horrendous.
Bottom bit looks like great fun.
I quite like Mctrail Rider usually, but he’s come across a bit dickish there tbh.
No DMBINS awards for him this year.
The YouTube cash will soften the blow, I'm sure.
The YouTube cash will soften the blow, I’m sure.
maybe you should do a video given how much of a dick you are 😉
It does appear that those taking issue with the criticisms, haven’t actually ridden the trail. Given that the majority of those who have ridden are in broad agreement, perhaps the concerns are valid?
In the video, he says something like "I normally ride the black over there and sometimes the DH track". That's all you need to know about the rest of the video.
maybe you should do a video given how much of a dick you are 😉
Christ no, there's enough dull MTB footage on youtube, as you know more than most.
It does appear that those taking issue with the criticisms, haven’t actually ridden the trail. Given that the majority of those who have ridden are in broad agreement, perhaps the concerns are valid?
You're right of course, I just find it a wee bit disappointing that NR have put a lot of effort in for some mincer to go up and say it's shite. Mibbe just me.
No DMBINS awards for him this year.
I thought saying that trails outside the tweed valley are shite, was a DMBINS award
I quite like Mctrail Rider usually, but he’s come across a bit dickish there tbh.
Which bit do you object to?
I thought he came across really measured and restrained.
He also gave two huge mitigations.... Time constraints and the need to open this summer and the fact that it's bound to bed in and get better.
I didn't really object to any bit, but to label it shit is a bit off IMO. I agree, he did say before it about work in progress etc, you're correct TG.
It will get better, both due to bedding in and rework the team will put in, but the tracks up there are always loose when dry, every year the first few hundred metres of the world cup catches out a few riders.
Anyhoo, mtnboarder is correct, haven't rode it, so I'll bugger off til I have.
I thought his comments were reasonable until the end. He undid the reasonable criticism by labelling it shit, comes across as a bit sensationalist. I'd like to see who NR are aiming to attract and what they think of it.
I just find it a wee bit disappointing that NR have put a lot of effort in for some mincer to go up and say it’s shite. Mibbe just me.
I forgot you have to be a riding god to have an opinion these days.
I’d like to see who NR are aiming to attract and what they think of it.
Families and beginners to mountain biking. There is a reason why there are picnic benches part way down the trail, and it isn't so that rad instagramers have somewhere to put their go pros. I haven't ridden the trail yet but from all the descriptions I would be happy to take my six year old niece down it over an hour or so with a couple of stops. If I want super gnar trails there are already plenty at the Nevis Range, Glencoe & Kinlochleven.
Looking at the McTrail Rider vid there are going to be some more experienced but not very empathetic folk carrying a lot of speed on a strava time mixing it up with 6yr olds doing their first days in the hills. Rule 1 is going to need reminding again and again.
Visually its a bit of an eyesore at the moment. Hopefully as it beds in and the spill around the track grows back over it will disappear a little.
As above, looks like they had to cut corners to meet financial / time constraints.
The combination of flat corners and loose surface seems to server riders at neither end of the beginner / god spectrum. Hopefully adjustments / bedding in will improve things as time go on.
there are going to be some more experienced but not very empathetic folk carrying a lot of speed on a strava time mixing it up with 6yr olds
See pretty much any blue trail anywhere..
Families and beginners to mountain biking.
I guess that maybe highlights an issue of trail grading - to most who have been riding a while blue = easy whereas it actually tends to indicate 'intermediate'.
I can actually see beginners, on a nice clear day really enjoying the elevation, the views, the rolling down a nice open trail, with a bit more 'features' into the trees where the views drop off.
so I see a point to it, it's just a vast gap between this and what else is there.
I'm sure they'll sort that out though with the red and pretty sure the blue will evolve as it's used, repaired and upgraded in sections.
I'm sure it'll improve over time as they make adjustments, I'm hoping it gets similar to this
Anyone down south whose ridden QECP blue trail (the new bottom bit), that's the sort of level I'd hope for. Easily ridden by both toddlers and pros. Granted, you probably wouldnt take an average 5 year old down blue doon. Obviously it's a lot more work to get to the same standard but then Nevis range is a world class destination, not a country park in the middle of the south of England. The potential increase in customers just for this one trail is massive, and I'm sure they know that.
Looking at the McTrail Rider vid there are going to be some more experienced but not very empathetic folk carrying a lot of speed on a strava time mixing it up with 6yr olds doing their first days in the hills. Rule 1 is going to need reminding again and again.
This.
It's a blue trail, yet he shows up on a big enduro sled, EWS shirt on, tailed by folk with full-face lids, DH bikes. It's not a trail for you, my dear. That's why they built it.
lucky7500
Full Member
There is a reason why there are picnic benches part way down the trail
Nice spot for a joint or a beer? 😆
It’s a blue trail, yet he shows up on a big enduro sled, EWS shirt on, tailed by folk with full-face lids, DH bikes. It’s not a trail for you, my dear. That’s why they built it.
Should you bring a selection of bikes / kit for riding different level trails then? How very STW!
A well-built blue trail can be good fun regardless of what you are riding / skill level, just in different ways.
It’s a blue trail, yet he shows up on a big enduro sled, EWS shirt on, tailed by folk with full-face lids, DH bikes. It’s not a trail for you, my dear. That’s why they built it.
Its not well built regardless of who it was designed for. Given the high standard of every other trail at Nevis, regardless of grade, it is not up to scratch.
It’s a gondola access only blue trail at a world renowned DH location
FTFY
If you want a blue trail free of fast riders in full face helmets, then you're in the wrong place.
Have you ridden Top Chief on a Dh bike? If so, you'll quickly realise it's not ideal.
I'd rather hear the opinions from families with younger kids and see how they liked/disliked it.
GavinB, I rode it with a view to take my kids and/or teenage nephews. The prospect of them panicking and running off or falling trail into large piles of rocks was a big worry. More than once I spotted places where sight lines are poor even at low speeds.
I would not take inexperienced riders down it, it’s still a high mountain environment and a long long way to get them to safety if the worst happens.
frogstomp
Full MemberShould you bring a selection of bikes / kit for riding different level trails then? How very STW!
There's no one bike that's ideal or even good for all the trails at nevis, so, yes you probably should.
There’s no one bike that’s ideal or even good for all the trails at nevis, so, yes you probably should
Oh yes very good, well argued.
He's right though
Oh yes very good, well argued.
Sorry but I’m not going to discuss such a asinine comment.
I think it's ok to question the appropriateness of the bikes capabilities and, indeed, the riders skill level if the video is intended to be some sort of review of the trail.
Andrew rides a 130mm trail bike not an enduro bike.
Should have taken a gravel bike then.
(Seriously though, is 130mm of travel considered a minimum now?)
(Seriously 2 - does the gondola take fatbikes?)
Now a fatbike would be fun on there.
My Enduro Sled will be taken down there in a couple of weeks time. I can offer my view from an appropriate, Northwind approved, ride.
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/4737/27205991149_240fdb181b_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/4737/27205991149_240fdb181b_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/Hs6PjV ]Loch Rannoch Round Marin Nail Trail 7[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/matt_outandabout/ ]Matt Robinson[/url], on Flickr
I may also, for shits and giggles, take the 'do it all bike' for a lap. After all, it has gravel tyres on, Perfect.
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50572689717_b4a2afc592_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50572689717_b4a2afc592_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2k3WfJa ]Merlin g2p Gravel bike[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/matt_outandabout/ ]Matt Robinson[/url], on Flickr
Now a fatbike would be fun on there.
That's my thought.
If he had summed things up a bit better than just saying "it's shit" he might not be getting such a hard time. If you skip to the end just for a review then I think he's doing the trail builders a disservice. If he'd summed it up by saying "the bottom section is great but the top section needs to bed in and needs some work so you might want to leave it for a bit" then fair enough.
Hope fatbikes do fit in the gondola. Planning a bikepacking loop next summer with this at the end (and Laggan in the middle) and via Comrie on the way up North.
I think it’s ok to question the appropriateness of the bikes capabilities and, indeed, the riders skill level if the video is intended to be some sort of review of the trail.
Top 2% on Top Chief on Strava by the looks of it. Yeah, I know, but it's a reasonable indicator that he's not too bad with a bike..
(Seriously though, is 130mm of travel considered a minimum now?)
Who said that? Seriously though, are you assuming he only went there to ride the new blue trail?
What a weird thread this is turning out to be..
Top 2% on Top Chief on Strava by the looks of it. Yeah, I know, but it’s a reasonable indicator that he’s not too bad with a bike..
I rest my case.
I’m not in the top 2%, does that make my opinion more or less valid? Or Poah, or anyone else who has actually ridden it?
Fwiw, I agree with McTrailrider. I have ridden the trail, along with many others of all shades and colours. This is not a shining example of trail building.
I’m not in the top 2%, does that make my opinion more or less valid? Or Poah, or anyone else who has actually ridden it?
STW hive mind - I'm crap on the bike and have a youtube channel therefore my opinion is shit. once the clique have ridden it we will be able to rest easy.
does the gondola take fatbikes?
I'm guessing you've never been.
I’m not in the top 2%, does that make my opinion more or less valid?
More valid for me.
Jeez, everybody gets touchy eh. 😆 Everyones entitled to their opinions. Calm doon dears! 😆
Looks like a good climb. Before the gondola opens?
I’m not in the top 2%, does that make my opinion more or less valid? Or Poah, or anyone else who has actually ridden it?
I think scotroutes point is that a fast, experienced rider on FS is not really the target audience of a blue route...
I think scotroutes point is that a fast, experienced rider on FS is not really the target audience of a blue route…
Maybe not, but that doesn't stop them being able to judge the merits or otherwise of a trail. Nobody is trying to argue that its not hard enough.
I had a look on the NR Facebook page. Interestingly it seemed to me that there were more positive comments than negative. Maybe newbies are better equipped to enjoy it than Strava warriors or social media influencers.
Anyone who's been to the Alps should know that green and blue trails can be of an appropriate difficulty for less experienced/skilled riders and fun for better/quicker riders. Really what I was hoping for with this but really doesn't sound like that's happened and it's a miss opportunity of it hasn't.
richardthird
Full MemberHope fatbikes do fit in the gondola.
The gondolas have rings that the saddle drops into, so you can hang fatbikes on the back like anything else. (irony- the only bikes that are really hard to hang off the gondolas, are dh bikes with really slammed saddles, the way mine's set up it'll only fit into about 2/3ds of the rings.)
poah
Free MemberSorry but I’m not going to discuss such a asinine comment.
Yeah, you're going to post daft memes, refuse to engage at all, and then accuse me of being asinine, nice one.
who are the social media influencers?
Yeah, you’re going to post daft memes, refuse to engage at all, and then accuse me of being asinine, nice one.
you posted asinine nonsense which I replied in kind.
who are the social media influencers?
The people with thousands of subscribers on YouTube, sponsors and Patreon members. I like Mctrail Riders videos but I think he rushed to ride that for the video views and he should have stopped and had a wee think before he called it shit. That's not constructive criticism and if he's going to criticise the trail builders he should take a more considered approach.
the clique
😂😂😂
From the guy so desperate to be part of the scene he refers to McTrailRider as Andrew just so we all know he knows him personally
@scotroutes the gondola will take any bike that has a normal seat and long enough seat post , so yes it will take a fatbike. The nose of the seat sticks into the the catch and thats what it is carried by. Loads od wee kids bikes having to have there seat pulled out a bit on saturday to get their bikes on.
I think there are at least 5 videos up of 'Blue doon' from various youtubers. Its a bit daft to state that someone shouldn't be riding or critisizing a trail as they are not the demographic. I think Mctrail rider does actually state the time constraints and only 2 people built the trail . I've ridden it and as I posted earlier wasn't a fan but I dont blame NR for openong and trying to make some money in their final month or so. It does need a lot of work and it will be better by next season , Its a very long pedally green with some very dodgy corners . What it does point out is that the Nevis range does need a red to sit in between the blue and top cheif as they are a world apart .
Also was thinking today It would make an excellent climb to do a winter WC or top cheif run but im guessing thats not the wisest idea. Maybe the Lecht and Glenshee will up their game and make some decent Gondola assisted trails . Before anyone points out I know they have half arsed trails.
From the guy so desperate to be part of the scene he refers to McTrailRider as Andrew just so we all know he knows him personally
what scene? and why would I not refer to someone by their name?
The people with thousands of subscribers on YouTube, sponsors and Patreon members. I like Mctrail Riders videos but I think he rushed to ride that for the video views and he should have stopped and had a wee think before he called it shit. That’s not constructive criticism and if he’s going to criticise the trail builders he should take a more considered approach.
its a youtube video. Get over being so offended by it.
Is there an Ignore function on here?
@poah , you need to chill bud. Seems you go off the deep end at the slightest thing .
I'm not offended by it I just think he forgot about rule #1.
Hopefully nobody gets caught out by this but it is SOLD OUT this weekend, they've got restricted numbers due to the DH champs/SDA and all the non-race passes are gone.
Anyway, back to STW nonsense.
poah
Free Memberyou posted asinine nonsense which I replied in kind.
I posted a bloody simple and obvious fact based on experience. Honestly, you can't really disagree with it can you? There's no one type of bike that's ideal for all the trails at nevis, so if you want to ride the full range of stuff, it's smart to take 2 bikes if you can. Always has been, even more so now. Like, literally once I could only take 1 bike due to space, and I spent the whole weekend wishing I'd been able to make the choice.
I honestly don't know what point you're even trying to make given that you admit you're posting nonsense, but I've not said anything that's even slightly controversial or really open to misinterpretation.