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Hi all.
I’m up this way in the next few weeks for work and was hoping there will be some gravel riding straight from the door in Colinton.
Would it be a case of riding to Pentland Hills and finding a loop from there or drive and bike from a certain spot? I was thinking of doing around 20 miles.
Go straight up into the hills. There's a map you can download I think with most trails on it.
You have alot to choose from, pentalnds through to eddlestone valley and back on any number of backroads/paths/tracks.
Pentlands to Peebles, lap of the Glentress red and back is easily doable.
Cycle tracks / canal / Water of Leith can be used for a visit to South Queensferry and back.
As they all said above. Literally just head south and you'll find it easily. I live in Colinton and happy to point you in the right direction, can't commit to a ride what with kids etc but gladly show you where to go.
Thanks everyone.
I’m after a good Gravel ride with some nice long climbs, if that’s possible in the Pentlands, as I’m not sure. 20 mile length or 2 hours and some good views.
Also, I just wanted to make sure I’m ok to pick a track and ride on it, not like south of the border.
Also, I just wanted to make sure I’m ok to pick a track and ride on it, not like south of the border.
Yep you can, and if only 2 hours you won't be doing 20 miles in the Pentlands 🙂
If your passing through the Tweed Valley.
This site is a useful resource as well.
www.bikevalleytrails.co.uk
Pretty much all above. Though I did try setting out from Edinburgh, doing a lap of Glentress and back @scotroutes. I was absolutely knackered and nearly didn't make it back :/
I also live in Colinton and happy to show you round. Some stuff up there that’s perfect for gravel bikes.
Nice long climbs? Puke hill is called that for a reason!
My fave loop was up and over from Colinton to Glencorse with a stop at the cafe in the car park. Then left onto road to Edinburgh, left again to the army firing range and over the top back to Colinton. Great views on a clear day too. Gravel bike will be fine up there.
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Start at Bonaly and go straight up to the reservoir. First bits a tad steep (Puke Hill) but it levels off. Turn right at the gate then walk up the hill directly in front of you (Harbour Hill) which takes you to the top of Maidens Cleugh. Decend that then turn right following the road past Loganlea reservoir. Through Green Cleugh then down to Threipmuir Reservoir, pass Harlaw reservoir. You can then head over to Clubbiedean reservoir which takes you back to Bonaly. Enjoy.
Thanks again for the tips!
I were up there this week, with the plan to go out on Tuesday after work. Although, with the weather being a bit dodgy throughout the day I made arrangements with a work colleague to go to the gym instead.
Then ended up in Spylaw for a meal and the Colinton Pub for a few pints!
I did manage to go for a ride around Kielder on the way up on Sunday, nice little workout with a few good hills.
I’m back in Edinburgh in a couple of weeks for 3 weeks work, so hopefully the weather will be a little kinder. I’ll definitely give Puke Hill a go!
I may take you up on that offer @kennyp
I may take you up on that offer @kennyp
Any time. I know that bit of the Pentlands very well. And there's another climb that makes Puke Hill look easy (the old army road from Dreghorn to Castlelaw).
Then ended up in Spylaw for a meal and the Colinton Pub for a few pints!
Try Dante's (the Italian just down from the pub). Great food and very friendly family that run it.
I’ll definitely give Puke Hill a go!
a misake you only make once.
As kennyp days, the climb from Dreghorn is a greater challenge.
Not me but Puke Hill christened (in name) by one of our riding bunch many years ago.
The Dreghorn climb - I've only, ever, managed to clean once - when I was out of work and at my fittest. It put Puke Hill to shame indeed - longer, looser, and steeper.
Dreghorn climb is indeed a barsteward. Just as you think you have nearly made it it gets steeper and loose. I one met a chap doing hill reps on it. Bampot
I could ride up puke hill on my single speed when I was fitter but never managed Dreghorn on any bike. It's either too hot, too windy, too dry or too difficult. But there's some great single-track that starts near the top on the eastern side.
I mentioned puke hill cos of the name but I agree the old army road at Dreghorn is a real challenge. Did 3/4 but I was done for.
Op just do the pub again instead of that climb!
Another Colinton resident. Lots of options - head W along past ojoms palace past JK Rowlinga horse palace and through blinkbonny. Up Currie Kirkgate then head W round Harlaw and Threipmuir. Head up Exponential to Bavelaw castle then continue E through Green Cleugh and onwards down to Glencorse reservoir. You can then either head N up Maidens Cleugh, NE up Phantoms or carry on round and go over Castlelaw and down the red ramp/howden burn which is the climb referenced as worse than puke hill and definitely is now it’s been surfaced in marbles ! There a myriad variations on the above. Again, happy to head out if you need a guide.
At least one of those palaces is an autocorrect mistake 🤣
Cheers @NZCol, with you and others, it looks like I have a guide for each of the weeks I’m up there.
So, what type of bike are we recommending for the Pentlands. Is it Gravel or Full Suss, I’ve no inbetween unfortunately and by the sounds of it, them hills are steep!
@dukeduvet the pub did win through 3 out of the 4 nights we were up there.
So, what type of bike are we recommending for the Pentlands. Is it Gravel or Full Suss
If those are your two choices then definitely gravel. There are some pretty steep technical tracks tucked away in some of the woods but very few of them. Vast bulk of the Pentlands is fine on gravel, or hardtail. Plenty of stuff that suits both.
What kind of full suss? XC or mince tank? There's loads of stuff that'll be much more enjoyable on an mtb, xc bike will be fine but you'll miss a lot of good stuff with a gravel bike. And now it's dry there's a lot more riding available with worrying about wrecking the more vulnerable stuff. And if you're about for 3 weeks you could get yourself down to Glentress or Inners surely?
Good man! @giggsmaster enjoy your rides when you get chance up there too
So I’m back in the area next week and I think I’ll bring the gravel bike for the first two weeks. Week three, bring the full suss for the last week for a trip to Glentress or Inners, which I have never been to any on those.
I’m staying over in Scotland at the weekend between weeks one and two, visiting family in Fochabers. I’m looking for a mountain pass, or similar, doable on a gravel bike on route from Edinburgh to Fochabers. Don’t mind how long it is, just a plodding climb with no crazy gradients (and great views) if possible.
Any ideas would be appreciated.
Ah, what a nostalgia fest. Been many years since I've done this but for pentlands routes, I'd go with more or less NZCol's suggested itinerary with a couple of variations. The most obvious bits that I can describe easily: On the way out of town from the Water of Leith (old railway line) cross the wee bridge to pick up a short track to Woodhall Mains, then head West along track to pick up Blinkbonny road. There's a nice almost singletrack climb (or descent in reverse) from the Blinkbonny rd (LHS on the obvious corner) up to Easter Kinleith farm. From here you can rejoin route described at Harlaw Reservoir and follow his description. Towards the end, I'd go for the military track to the East of Castlelaw that brings you round the gap between Allermuir and Capelaw. As the descent starts to pick up speed look for a singletrack on the right. If you get the right one you'll end up on a bit of a balcony style sheep track that traverses round above the crags with great views over the city and the Firth of Forth beyond. It drops off steeply to rejoin the initial track and a fast blast across the fields to the Dreghorn gate. Here, use the underpass under the bypass which then turns right and follows the fence to Dreghorn Barracks immediately to your left. You should find yourself descending on a grand piece of singletrack in the narrow strip of trees between the barracks and Redford Road and more or less back into Colinton. There are loads of variations and everyone will have their favourites - there are loads of good options for a couple of hours in the evening.
As for Fochabers-Edinburgh options. That's got to be a good 200 miles or so? Obvious options N-S would be the Gaik, Glen Feshie/Tilt crossings of the Cairngorms, but each involves a significant detour West through Speyside. East end of the Carngorms gives you Tomintoul to Deeside via Loch Builg, From Deeside Loch Muick south to Glen Clova (better other way round on skinny tyres as the descent would be tough IMO but mightn't meet the plodding ascent), maybe Mount Keen - all would likely be more "direct" options. A long ride whatever way you go. Have fun whatever you get up to.
I’m looking for a mountain pass, or similar, doable on a gravel bike on route from Edinburgh to Fochabers. Don’t mind how long it is, just a plodding climb with no crazy gradients (and great views) if possible.
Burma Road from Aviemore might suit your requirements (assuming you mean something you can stop off en route to do).
Sorry, I did mean I’ll be driving to Fochabers, so I’ll be stopping on route for a loop or a there and back ride.
Appreciate the suggestions, I’ll take a look at work later. Always like the sound of Burma Road, just as long as it’s rideable all the way.
There are a couple of options but it's pretty straightforward. If you'd like, I could create a gpx file for you?
Yeah, if you don’t mind. With me not knowing the area, even if there is a small chance, I wouldn’t like to get lost out there.
This is the one I’m currently dialling in, but you can choose a more appropriate start point.
https://www.komoot.com/tour/768380170?ref=itd&share_token=aBsWdd1BP8N9UAz12CfBI3BrMd9wqWCbbs0ADZmje0fKDBfPDA
Cheers guys, much appreciated.
One option is to go via Laggan and ride up Corrieyairack pass (General Wade's road), nice view from the top. Treat it as an out and back, you can either turn around half way at the summit or do the full route over to fort Augustus and back which is a Big Ride. A classic route either way, not very technical riding, though personally i wouldn't choose a gravel bike for it, an XC hardtail works well.
Or you could do the Laggan Wolftrack trails, or ride the sadly delapidated Moray monster trails next to fochabers.
In Scotland you can legally ride almost anywhere/any track you can find, within reason, responsibly, the Land Reform Act (Scotland) 2003 covers cycling.