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It's almost summer after all...
Anyway, if you had 2 days (including the drive there and back) to get some riding in and you were based in NE England where would you head to? Probably in late May/early June.
The Mrs is mooting letting me off the leash as a birthday present so thought I'd ask the hive mind for ideas. I had thought Torridon but it's about a 7 hour drive from here.
Currently thinking Isle of Arran or heading up the A9 to do the Glen Tilt loop from Blair Atholl and something else around Aviemore/Rothiemurchus. Looking for natural trails not a trail centre.
Yes, the Tweed valley is the obvious choice but I go there pretty regularly anyway.
Thanks!
Depends how mellow/black you take your riding but here's a couple of options with really fun, challenging riding.
Base in Breamar for circuits around:
Invercauld clockwise- NW to Sluggain to then go down Strathgairn & return over Cullardoch.
Beinn a Bhuird & Ben Avon- work that one out for yourself.
Lochnagar (big day- awesome descent off Car an t'Saggairt Mor to Loch Callater
Big Mac(Dhui)
Shorter ride for bad weather- Linn of Dee- Glen Derry, up east side of river, down west; then return slightly down the glen and up over Clash Fearnaig to Linn of Quoich.
Or base yourself in Angus to ride Loch Muick & the Capel Mounth one day and do a Minister's Path to Kilbo the other.
Stirling, Perth, Pitlochry and Dunkeld - there is some epic riding to be had. Just ask any of the LBS in those areas, they will be more than happy to help.
Arran is great, though with the ferries you will lose a bit of time compared to some of the other venues around Perthshire. Aviemore area probably my favourite for mixture of natural stuff and trails that can be picked to suit the weather
2 days? I wouldn't go any further than the borders - some fantastic natural riding to be had, big days possible too, and if the weather turns to shite, then there are the obvious bolt holes.
More time biking, less time driving.
That's if you are absolutely sure you have to go to Scotland. Me? I'd head to the lakes. 😀
All very good, but where is this fantastic mythical natural riding in the borders,prey tell oh wise one, grassy bridelways anyone?
4hrs to the coe, Devils staircase - Ciaran path and back over.
Lakes, no need for passport, currency or vaccinations 😉
The Lakes would get my vote to, very convenient for the NE, just avoid holidays.
All very good, but where is this fantastic mythical natural riding in the borders,prey tell oh wise one, grassy bridelways anyone?
Get yer maps out ya lazy bugger!
Ciaran path
Now yer talking mythical!
2 days (including the drive there and back) to get some riding in
This ^
Lakes, borders, Dunkeld... Aviemore absolute max.
The Lakes would get my vote to, very convenient for the NE, just avoid holidays
My birthday falls during half term, hence going north to avoid the crowds in the Lakes. Thanks everyone.
Devils staircase is pretty good though! just thinking of alternatives with a reasonable drive.
Don't get me wrong, i love the borders and Cheviots, it just tends to be a different type of riding to the Lakes, Highlands.
PS. if it is you're birthday, spoil yourself and do something like Ben Macdui via etchachan descent, a proper day out and fairly technical, base Aviemore- the YHA is fab.
If you want to avoid the crowds in the Lakes - Northwestern fells, awesome riding and away from the gluepots.
I did a 4 day Scotland trip at the beginning of the month with two other mates. We only went as far as the Borders but we covered a fair bit including Glentress, Kirroughtree, Innerleithen (with uplift) and Kielder Forest on the way home (when it snowed!).
In fact here's a video of it! We are by no means pro (at riding or video editing!).
Edit: Admittedly I did not read at first the bit about not wanting to visit trail centres.
Ahem he said no trail centres.
If you have never done Torridon I would say its a must do destination and you might be midge fee at that time
[url= https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8783/17266309501_ec911cb42e_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8783/17266309501_ec911cb42e_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/siLmgp ]Untitled[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/nzrich/ ]Richard Munro[/url], on Flickr
From NE England, and 2 days including travel?
Stirling area. You could get up there and do Dumyat -> Mine woods -> Kippenrait Glen -> Allanwater Brewhouse in Bridge of Allan on the first day. Comrie Croft then North Third second day and back home.
It always makes me roll my eyes when someone says 'where in Scotland'? & people say 'the Lakes'. 🙄
It's like 'where in Spain'? 'Portugal'!
>It always makes me roll my eyes when someone says 'where in Scotland'? & people say 'the Lakes'.<
Yeah I chuckled at that...
Highlandman nails it basically.
egf - I did suggest where to ride up here, but made an alternative suggestion. Which is more than you did.
egf - I did suggest where to ride up here, but made an alternative suggestion. Which is more than you did.
Sorry but I've never been. Been to the Lakes though.
For such a short time you don't have to go too far. Various folk on here (including me) would happily show you some of the awesome trails around and near Stirling. You could be here a week no worries. Alternatively go to Innerleithen - you can stray off the typical trail centre - speak to the likes of Steve at I-Cycles. Both are close enough to ensure you're not in the car the whole time.