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Are Carbisdale and Balblair abandoned or rideable? It seems there's very few reviews in the last couple of years that day they aren't overgrown or significant part of trails closed?
Golspie seems all good?
Any other good natural rides locally?
Any reasonable road and gravel rides of upto 25 miles or so? (paging epicyclo).
Balblair was ok when I rode it a couple of years ago, great wee trail. Must try and get back there soon, if they're still rideable of course 😉
I will let you know the week after next... 8)
I'm up that way week after next, probably just have time for one or maybe two rides, probably Golspie unless somebody suggests otherwise.
please do -- like swavis I enjoyed it (if anything, more than Golspie..)
When I was last up there (a couple of years ago) there had been a change in management of the building by Carbisdale and it looked as though they were much less keen on having the trails on their doorstep.
Balblair was still fine though. Didn't make it to Golspie.
Haven't been for ages, but loved all 3. How's Learnie Red Rock these days?
Daughter rode Balblair last weekend, said it was fun and photos looked good. I haven't been in years but it is a good place for a short blast on the way to the NorthWest coast.
How’s Learnie Red Rock these days?
2 years ago it was in fine fettle. We really enjoyed it, despite being a bit overgrown in places.
I don't know about Carbisdale, but BB is still great. Haven't been since before lockdown, so not sure about growth. Most of it will be fine, but there's a few sections on the downhill which might be among bracken and possibly slighlty overgrown. A mate was there two weeks ago and never reported any issues.
I rode Learnie in March and it was in good condition
Ah, that's good to know- it was in a bit of a sorry state when I visited with closures/felling and bloody awful signposting.
Will be at Rosemarkie week after next so will report back on Learnie. Was OK last year.
I really like BB as well, have never seen anyone there !
I rode Carbisdale a couple of years ago and was in a bad state, very overgrown but still rideable. Can't imagine it's got better since then. I believe the new owners of the castle want it forgotten about (was SYHA before). Bit of a shame really, both loops were gems. Rode Balblair at the same time and it was also overgrown and lots of sections in disrepair/damaged signs but I've heard it's had work since then (and is open on the FCS site so guess it's fine).
They were replacing rotten woodwork at Balblair last summer and it was awesome as ever, stuck overseas this year so far but hope to make it in August.
Rode Balblair yesterday and Golspie this morning.
No issues at Golspie but Balblair still has signs up saying the trails are closed. These signs are a bit of a mixed bag with some saying due to trail maintenance, some saying forestry work and some saying Covid-19. Neither of the first two seemed to be going on and it's a bit early to say if I caught covid from riding there. 🙂
Naughty boy that I am I rode it anyway. A few signs are down, it's quite overgrown in places and some of the woodwork is getting a bit long in the tooth. It was all still good fun but I'd say use a bit of caution and treat it like a natural trail rather than a well maintained trail centre.
Cheers spin, that's good to know.
We're up next week. I'll take the secateurs...
Was planning to hear there, but I understood the forestry need to do some maintenance which can't be done with social distancing. No idea what tho
For other trails in the area, look at the Fyrish trails just off the A9 near Evanton. A huge selection of rooty, steep, flowy goodness.
Learnie also has a good selection of off-piste trails, with easy climbs on the trail centre climbs.
Balblair - what a rocky, nadgery trail of overgrown goodness and fun that is. 😎
Seriously challenging in a lot of places, not your usual trail centre again.
Pretty badly overgrown in places - we did a bit of tree branch snapping and fern flattening, but someone needs a couple of days up there with strimmer and loppers.
Like the world's slowest stalker I followed MOAB to Balblair today and can confirm he's done a good job. Did see a dead toad but he doesn't seem like the type that would do that. The trails were like a good chicken wrap, all lumpy yummyness, pretty easy to follow and repeat sections although it was a bit warm today so a couple of hours was enough for me.
Carbisdale, Balblair and Golspie
Those names all sound like 6% lagers in my local Polish supermarket.
although it was a bit warm today so a couple of hours was enough for me.
Tell me about it! 22*c on one of the most northerly mountains in the UK is a proper heatwave for us today!
I'd like to go back to Balblair tomorrow, but I've been overruled so it's back to Golspie before a long drive home.