You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
Thought it probably a good idea not to knacker myself doing the forests every day I'm up here, and also get some variety in.
What is there apart from Gypsy Glen?
I've seen mentions of previous years' Tweedlove Natural Tweed events (including this article), but can't find barely any detail to piece together a route. I realise it's all public access up here, but I don't really fancy trying my luck with exploring - I'm not here often so I'd like a good chance of having a nice day out. Thanks
Depends on how far you want to go. Could climb up to top of inners then along southern upland way to three brethren, down corbielinn to road, back along to bowhill then duchess drive and back up minchmoor climb.
30km and 600m ascent would be ideal.
Trying to piece this one together with the help of Strava heatmap. The comment at the bottom says the writer has got the route mixed up, and I think he has https://singletrackmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/tweedlove-ridelines-natural-tweed/
Cross Borders Drove Road to Romanno Bridge? You could extend it to West Linton for a cafe/pub stop
Could aim for the really old Natural Tweed which is up to the mast at Glentress then down through the forest to the north heading towards Portmore Reservoir and then down towards Eddleston. From there I would go up past the Barony Castle towards Cloich Forest and then the Meldons returning via an up and over Cademuir ridge to Peebles.
Or...perhaps ride out to Broughton on the John Buchan Way. There's a few different ways to adapt this one but it can be done as an out and back with a nice cafe stop at the turn around point.
I think the Natural Tweed you're looking at is up over Cardrona, a loop around Glen Estate and then back up to connect with Gypsy Glen. There is a way to make that loop join up with Gypsy by going to straight up from the end of Glen Estate at Glenshiel Banks to arrive at Birkscairn Hill but it is about 15 minutes of hike-a-bike to get onto the trail.
Thanks folks.
I think the Natural Tweed you’re looking at is up over Cardrona, a loop around Glen Estate and then back up to connect with Gypsy Glen.
Yes. Going to try it as it's stated, should be plenty.
Ooh, we are arriving on Sunday. Following this thread with great interest indeed 🙂
I'd second the John Buchan Way from Peebles to Broughton and back. Three biggish climbs/descents each way (the first over Cademuir and third from Stobo to Broughton are the best, the middle one from Manor Valley to Stobo just needs done to link them up IMO).
Admittedly longer/tougher than you asked for at 45k and 1,200m ascent, but really good. And the wee cafe in Broughton (Laurel Bank Tearoom) is great for lunch or just tea and cake. Has a nice outside bit round the back to sit out or just to keep your bikes safe.
Going to try it as it’s stated
From Cardrona forest- 29km, 750m ascent.
Bit of a slog up through Cardrona forest. Nice fast grassy descent down Orchard Rig. Estate tracks flat down The Glen to Loch Eddy, a grassy climb to Glengaber house on the other side, then descend back to the estate buildings on a slight downhill (fast) estate track. Nasty climb up to the top of Gypsy glen (the one warned about in the article, pushed almost all the way.
Unintentionally did the Loch Eddy loop clockwise, I notice now in the article they did anti-clockwise. I suggest anti-clockwise, swap 2km of slighly downhill track and 2km of off-track climbing/pushing for the opposite.
For me (not used to hills), the climb from The Glen to the top of Gypsy Glen kills this route. The circumstances today didn't help - light rain, warm, no wind, lots of flies. Had a swarm around my head and about 50 all over the handlebar and grips.
What's the midge level like at the moment? Midgies and I are not good bedfellows TBH.
Haven't come across any. Just annoying non-biting flies, equally bad in and out of the forests. They'll find you on a climb and then stick with you until the next descent.
Cheers. I'll smidge up anyway, just in case.