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I need to take a week off work by the end of June, so of the 3 places named, where do people recommend?
Now I am a self confessed bimbler, and it will be just me, so I don't need to worry about young ones etc. However alternative places to visit if the weather turns typlically British would be a good thing (History, engineering are good alternatives)
Oh and are a reasonable pizza and curry!
I think we were warned off the curry house in Peebles so that might sway your decision, I don't think there is actually any curry at all in Kielder either...
I'm going up by car, so driving over to a town isn't a problem.
Keilder, been once. Lovely place,
the purpose build stuff at keilder is quite good. We avoided the boardwalk bit when we were there, deadwater I think it’s called (on the advise of the shop) as it was really wet and slippy up there.
we tried to do a ride from a map and found a couple of things. Where we were, although there was a BW on the map, there was nowt on the ground!! Also the Forrest is vast and seemingly tracks that should have been there had gone so even with OS maps on the phone (with pretty much exact positioning) getting round was tricky
don’t underestimate how far from anywhere it is..!!
Glentress/peebles/tweed valley would be good. The trail centre is pretty decent and although I haven’t ridden the natural stuff judging by the reputation it has its worth a visit. You’ve also got Innerleithen down the road
Again don’t really know the eating as we normally camp and cook at the tent but it’s a big enough place to have a few decent eateries (isn’t it...!!!)
dont know dartmoor but I’d suggest the quantocks as well..again we camped in Holford so don’t know about eating out but I’m sure there’s a few decent places!
I like Kielder, but I guess for a week on me jack I'd sway towards Glentress and Inners.
The pizza/Italian place at the end of the river bridge in Peebles served me I think the best pizza I've ever tasted. Stunning...
Loads more riding on the way and in the area too obvs.
Dartmoor is OK but there’s very limited amounts of truly great riding. Keilder is lovely but I’d probably hit the 7 stanes out of your choices. If I wasn’t limited by your choices I’d hit the dark peak.
There’s loads of truly great riding on dartmoor but not a lot of bimbling.
I dunno jam bo - I bimble up there quite a lot - except recently where it’s been more like swimming than bimbling 😂
Can't comment on Dartmoor but you could easily combine Kielder and Peebles in a week, they aren't that far apart.
Out of the three I'd say stay near Peebles. Keilder isn't far for a day trip and then more riding back at Peebles.
Out of interest why limiting to those places? Because never done or?
Dartmoor is OK but there’s very limited amounts of truly great riding
you what?
Must be a different Dartmoor
Larry, because I’ve never been to any of them, and I’ve never seen a Red squirrel in the wild!
There is a takeaway Chinese in Bellingham ..just down the road from Kielder ..the portions are enormous ..
The trail with the boardwalk is the Lonesome Pine Trail ..
Try Glentress / Innerleithen first ..I love Kielder but that's in part because I was a volunteer there helping to build some of the trails ..but recognise that there is more after riding appeal in the Tweed Valley ...Kielder is pretty remote ..but if you get the chance give it a visit.
“I think we were warned off the curry house in Peebles”
The Prince of India?
B******s stiffed us out of 30 quid last weekend!
The one by the river? Reputation for expensive and not much better than average?
I'd do a week based in the Tweed Valley of your 3 and explore all of the non-waymarked stuff. Last time I was there I used the Trailforks app to find some new-to-me stuff. Lovely riding and you still have the surfaced trails for wet days.
How about option 4? None of the above 🙂
Actually, being serious, we've just returned from a week staying near Newton Stewart and have been really impressed with the riding on offer. To be fair, we spent most of our time within the trail centres (because it pissed it down and we didn't fancy wading through bogs) but we had a fantastic time. It's also a beautiful corner of Scotland but surprisingly accessible, with Newton Stewart only an hour or so from the motorway at Carlisle.
Kirroughtree, Glentrool, Dalbeattie, Mabie, Ae Forest and that's before you even start getting out into the wild country. All centres have good blue and red trails and you don't need to be a gravity nut to enjoy them. I rode mostly with my 9yo son and we had a cracking time.
As far as rain days go, there's a few National Trust places (Threave Castle / Gardens and Culzean were both great places to visit) as well as some nice towns and villages, but tbh, if the weather takes a turn for the worst, just stick a coat on and enjoy having the whole place to yourself. We did and it was amazing!
Anyway, sorry for confusing you with more options 🙂
“The one by the river?”
Yeah, that’s the one. Wish we’d heard about the reputation :-/
I believe there is another curry house at the other end of town.
Glentress seems to be winning! I'll have to get the maps out tonight.
If you are up that way then remember you have Edinburgh and Glasgow close by, the other side of the M74 to Dumfries also (not sure of the current state of play there) Drumlanrig and the house there along with all the natural stuff.
Drive to Oban, park up. Do some islands, dirt cheap with bike. Take yr bikepacking gear and do some overnights.
Have a curry on your way back down south.