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Hi
We're planning a wee trip to the Highlands next month and I'm wondering about doing a wee bit of mountain biking with my 6 year old.
Specifically I was thinking of blue doon at Fort William but also the green at Laggan and anywhere else folk might suggest.
We live near glentress and he has been doing the blue for well over a year and he loves it. I was wondering about blue doon - I've watched a few videos and can't see anything he wouldn't be able to ride, although obviously I'm not 100% sure. The gondola says "recommended age over 10" but I'm willing to ignore that. The
Other thing I'd worry about is other riders either a) riding past close and fast or b) giving us shit for being there and slowing them down.
Also interested if anyone else has had good (or bad) experiences riding with wee ones in the Highlands elsewhere.
I wouldn't take my 7 year old down blue doon. There are other trails at the nevis range I would take her on though. She can ride the blue's at GT as well.
Other thing I’d worry about is other riders either a) riding past close and fast or b) giving us shit for being there and slowing them down.
Only had friendly interactions at Fort William - and there's plenty of room for anyone who fancies themselves as fast to go and play on the Big Chief and WC courses. Not to say you won't come across a knobber but they'd be the one in the wrong.
Can't advise on the Blue Doon though - still to go and try it. Green at Laggan (if it's the one I'm thinking of) is not really worth the trip. I'd be tempted to play around Loch Morlich a wee bit further up the road or go a bit further and see what Glenlivet has to offer (it gets better every time I visit).
Glenlivet has to offer (it gets better every time I visit).
I'd agree with this and it's worth the trip for the cakes alone. The blue is fine although a bit rough in one bit for a 6 year old maybe but you can do just the last bit of the blue by going up the fire road to the jump line and joining there. Not done the new trail yet but it looks to be good for a 6 year old. Only thing to beware of is that theres a fair bit of climbing.
I wouldn’t take my 7 year old down blue doon.
Why not?
There are other trails at the nevis range I would take her on though.
Have you ridden some with her? Or just that you would in principle?
Glenlivet is popular with the kids in our club, the younger kids prefer to just do the second half of the blue loop rather than the full blue loop. The new blue 'Baz's Berms' was a massive hit with them too, although the climb back up to the cafe can be slow.
I wouldn't take my 9 year old down Blue Doon.
Why? Because the punishment for failure is too steep.
The turns are flat, sharp and loose which are a terrible combination for someone used to the likes of Berm Baby Berm. It's pedally in places, usually that's fine but as soon as you get a gradient you open up, start flying along until out of nowhere you hit a blind lip with a turn straight after. Trackside there are still ditches full of boulders or steep drops down to the next switchback.
Blue Adder and the other forest Blues are better, even the bottom section of Blue Doon is decent enough but the top is just wrong for a blue. Technically undemanding but utterly punishing if you cock up.
I would take a blue confident 7 year old down. Happily.
Other gnar riders can bugger off -and I tended to ride behind my youngsters on busy trails to be able to speak to them.
And Glenlivet isa great call.
Also interested if anyone else has had good (or bad) experiences riding with wee ones in the Highlands elsewhere
Ours were riding Laggan at similar age, as well as many other trails.
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