Fife hills loop. An...
 

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[Closed] Fife hills loop. Anyone fancy an STW mellow group ride?

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Murr and I were wondering if anyone would be up for a spin around the hills in central Fife.

A loop from Lochore Meadows over Benarty Hill, up over the Bishop Hill, down the Glenvale descent and a spin back around the Loch Leven and Portmoak forest trails. Its near enough all natural trail riding. 40 minutes from Edinburgh.

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Posted : 26/05/2014 10:05 pm
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When?


 
Posted : 26/05/2014 10:06 pm
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Its a bit late!


 
Posted : 26/05/2014 10:06 pm
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When?

Perhaps this coming weekend. We could even try something from one of the cafes on the shores of Loch Leven if folks are pushed for time.


Its a bit late!

Josh, the pics are just to let folks know what's up here. The trails are in near perfect condition.


 
Posted : 26/05/2014 10:12 pm
 Si
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Where's the last one taken? Is it dropping off Benarty to Vane Farm?


 
Posted : 26/05/2014 10:24 pm
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Where's the last one taken? Is it dropping off Benarty to Vane Farm?

No, its the descent down Glen Vale between the Bishop Hill and the West Lomond. A couple of miles of amazing singletrack. That's the trail at about its widest.


 
Posted : 26/05/2014 10:27 pm
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Would love to do this. I'm over in Strathkinness and need to venture further afield than my current Blebo Woods loop.


 
Posted : 26/05/2014 10:28 pm
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I might be up for this. Cairngorm plans have gone a bit askew for the weekend and I was eyeing up Benarty and a ride around Loch Leven for a future date when I rode out to St Andrews last month. I'd probably be riding out from Edinburgh if times worked out.


 
Posted : 26/05/2014 10:45 pm
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Working in Dundee at the moment, would be up for an evening jaunt if anyone else is.
Singlespeedable? Geared bike is at home.


 
Posted : 26/05/2014 11:10 pm
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Keep me posted. Might manage along..


 
Posted : 26/05/2014 11:25 pm
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Pretty much down for this will i be left for dead on a rigid singlespeed?


 
Posted : 27/05/2014 7:54 am
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That sounds good, keep me posted


 
Posted : 27/05/2014 8:06 am
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The last bit off Benarty has suffered from some windfallen trees so we may scratch that.

The pictures above were taken on our last couple of evening rides. We could string together a taster 3 hour ride that would be single speedable. It may involve a handful if road miles to get us up the more rideable climb to the golf ball. Once up the ridge ride is great.


 
Posted : 27/05/2014 8:44 am
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If you fancy doing it on a mon/tues/wed evening after 7ish or so, I should be able to get along with a bit of notice to sort out alternative car-shares etc.


 
Posted : 27/05/2014 9:01 am
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Paul, that should be fine. We will check the weather for next week and give you a shout.


 
Posted : 27/05/2014 10:00 am
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Not sure if I could make any rides in the very near future, but would be keen to see any Strava/gpx files for rides around the Fife hills.


 
Posted : 27/05/2014 12:37 pm
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I'm potentially on for this (other life commitments permitting). As a Milnathort resident I know these trails well and realise that I'm spoilt with the quality of local riding.

Let us know what day/time you decide, and I'll see if I can make it.


 
Posted : 27/05/2014 1:25 pm
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Am free saturday am - providing fife is safe for civilians these days 😀 coming from Stirling.


 
Posted : 27/05/2014 1:56 pm
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We could do a double ascent of the Bishop some day, one to descend Glenvale, then we could nip back on the road/bike path to the Pillars of Hercules for coffee and cake then up over Maspie Den around the reservoirs back up the farm track to the golf ball for the descent back down to Scotlandwell. That might add a couple more hours. Each half of that is easily doable as an evening ride.


 
Posted : 27/05/2014 3:05 pm
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Pillars of hercules... now you're talking!


 
Posted : 27/05/2014 5:30 pm
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Might be up for something if the pace is going to be relaxed.


 
Posted : 27/05/2014 5:38 pm
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I'd love to but can't do this weekend. I'm terrible for getting out and riding new places...


 
Posted : 27/05/2014 5:38 pm
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id love to come, im fat and slow.


 
Posted : 27/05/2014 5:41 pm
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Not sure I can manage this weekend, possibly have a 30 min meeting on North Uist on Saturday.... Definitely up for it in the future though!


 
Posted : 27/05/2014 6:01 pm
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sunday's a possibility but only if i don't have a debilitating hangover. any other time on the next week for definite


 
Posted : 27/05/2014 6:24 pm
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Probably won't manage as rides need to be pretty brief at the moment due to jnr! Is there a descent off Benarty to Vane Farm as indicated above?


 
Posted : 27/05/2014 8:13 pm
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Yeah I'd be up for this if the pace is relaxed. Currently have a suspected torn medial collateral ligament so knee not the strongest. Waiting for an MRI scan, managed 20 odd miles a couple of weeks ago but it was on road. I will keep my eye on this thread.


 
Posted : 27/05/2014 8:54 pm
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Like too but around Duns this weekend for the Jim Clark Memorial Rally,
Maybe another time Peter 🙂


 
Posted : 27/05/2014 10:34 pm
 Si
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Yep interested. What about inc Blairadam at tother end or dropping off east Lomond through some of the interesting falkland trails!?

Should also add then I'm looking at Dunkeld this Sat and possibly Kinnoul (Perth) or Pitmedden on Thurs evening if anyone wants to be shown around?


 
Posted : 27/05/2014 10:47 pm
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I can't make this weekend as I'll be at the BDS, however, I'd be very interested in a map of the route of at all possible??

Cheers


 
Posted : 28/05/2014 6:09 am
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I'm keen and could do this Sunday probably subject to reorganising other plans.


 
Posted : 28/05/2014 7:30 am
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Shall we have a try for this coming Sunday, June 1, 10am. We could meet at the Loch Leven Lodges car park, there's loads of parking space there. http://www.lochlevenlodges.co.uk/coffee%20shop.html.

The best way out (to include the singlespeeders) is to ride the road out to just west of Leslie to pick up the singletrack road up to the reservoirs, turn up the farm road to the Golf Ball, then ride along the ridge to Glenvale, it's an easy spin back from there for a mellow 3 hr ride for those short on time.

We could add the second Pillars, Maspie Den, Golf Ball Scotlandwell descent loop for another day when folks have more of an idea of what to expect.


 
Posted : 28/05/2014 9:48 am
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Yeah I should be there. Sounds good.


 
Posted : 28/05/2014 12:37 pm
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Its my very pregnant sisters birthday on Sunday I am not sure if this makes it more or less likely I will be free!

But if I am I will be there!


 
Posted : 28/05/2014 1:22 pm
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I'm working Sunday but will try to come along if you do another one.


 
Posted : 28/05/2014 1:31 pm
 ojom
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I is up for this like Jimmy.

Mellow would be good after GT7 and my bank holiday fun at Comrie.

Downie.


 
Posted : 28/05/2014 1:58 pm
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Unfortunately I can't do Sunday, but I'll kkeep an eye out for next time.


 
Posted : 28/05/2014 4:21 pm
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i am up for this, my buddy may come along too, depending on work.


 
Posted : 28/05/2014 4:24 pm
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Can't do this Sunday, but up for something one evening if folk fancy a midweek pootle.


 
Posted : 28/05/2014 4:27 pm
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Let's keep an eye on the forecast for an evening ride next week.


 
Posted : 28/05/2014 6:25 pm
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I'd be up for a evening ride next week too.....


 
Posted : 28/05/2014 6:44 pm
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I'll be along


 
Posted : 28/05/2014 7:05 pm
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Can't manage this weekend but def up for something in future


 
Posted : 29/05/2014 10:37 am
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Friday morning bump.


 
Posted : 30/05/2014 9:15 am
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An evening ride next week would be great. We usually go out on Thursday with Vorlich (aka half fatty) who is a Blairadam local so would be good to head further East over the M90 at some point.


 
Posted : 30/05/2014 12:44 pm
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I am a bit confused what the plan is....

I am hugely flexible as I have the week off so I will go with whatever 🙂


 
Posted : 30/05/2014 12:51 pm
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Josh. We will go for a day ride on Sunday as planned. The following week when we have a better idea of what the weather is doing we will do an evening ride around a similar loop.

You can't have too much of a good thing.


 
Posted : 30/05/2014 12:54 pm
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Will be there with ojom, PG and possibly the ladeez.


 
Posted : 30/05/2014 3:11 pm
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Hmmm. It entirely slipped my mind that I'm back at work this weekend. I'll keep an ear to the ground to see if this becomes a regular thing. I'm next back in the Kingdom in the middle of June.


 
Posted : 30/05/2014 4:52 pm
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I will be on an entirely untried and tested new bike. If it falls apart you have my permission to leave!


 
Posted : 30/05/2014 7:09 pm
 ojom
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I have a gammy leg on account of a severe cramp. However I am still coming cause I is hard.


 
Posted : 31/05/2014 4:45 pm
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What's the worst could happen? Evening bump for those looking something new


 
Posted : 31/05/2014 5:00 pm
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Will be there with the missus, are you still meeting at loch leven lodges at 10?


 
Posted : 31/05/2014 5:09 pm
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are you still meeting at loch leven lodges at 10?

Hoping to be ready to leave for ten really.


 
Posted : 31/05/2014 5:23 pm
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Hmmm.. Can't make tomoro, as mrs B is working, could do an evening ride, but 156 mile round trips putting me off a bit!. 😯

Defo need to get up soon.


 
Posted : 31/05/2014 5:28 pm
 Murr
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Nobeerinthefridge how's it gone , Will speak to Peter tomorrow about another weekend at Glen clova what you think?


 
Posted : 31/05/2014 5:45 pm
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You should post this over on a Scottish forum - http://www.trailscotland.co.uk/forums/


 
Posted : 01/06/2014 9:32 am
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Sorry chaps and chapettes, a long day up mountains yesterday saw me very much still asleep at 10am!


 
Posted : 01/06/2014 11:05 am
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I'm another one up for an evening ride.


 
Posted : 01/06/2014 11:46 am
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Murr - Member
Nobeerinthefridge how's it gone , Will speak to Peter tomorrow about another weekend at Glen clova what you think?

Not bad Paul, be good to catch up with yourself and the big fella. Another weekend up there would be sweet.


 
Posted : 01/06/2014 12:27 pm
 ojom
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At the top. It was a warm one.
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Posted : 01/06/2014 3:31 pm
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Top ride with a great bunch of guys and girls. We'll do it again some evening perhaps later in the week if the weather stays fair.


 
Posted : 01/06/2014 5:10 pm
 ojom
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Thanks again for showing us round. I always wondered what was up that hill.


 
Posted : 01/06/2014 5:37 pm
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damn- only just saw this thread. am based in fife and interested to join some time.


 
Posted : 01/06/2014 6:52 pm
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Ace ride, thanks for the tour. Restores faith in non-trail centre riding, does that.


 
Posted : 01/06/2014 8:33 pm
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AngusAitken now there is a name I know!

I can ride of an evening this week.


 
Posted : 01/06/2014 9:28 pm
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That particular faith has never been lost Jimmy! 😀

Greg.


 
Posted : 01/06/2014 9:34 pm
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I would love to join yawl next time - definitely had a good day for it 🙂


 
Posted : 02/06/2014 12:31 pm

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