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Ok, I've finally taken a few days holiday in 2 weeks time and would love to go to a great mountain biking venue that has some great routes, I've heard Wales is great and on the grand scale of things isn't really too far to travel.
Can anyone point me in the right direction for a great place to ride as a beginner looking for a good mix of stuff to have a go at ?
Where do you live and how long are you prepared to travel?
Train to Oban. Ferry to barra and cycle up to Harris. Loads of lovely off road cycling in North Harris. Cycle on up to Stornaway, ferry to Ullapool, then bike bus ( in the summer) back to inverness. From inverness, you could day trip up to Golspie and do the longest downhill ride in the UK. It's not that hard and it's a great day out.
Bike bus even runs by Strathpeffer where Steve at square wheels has some great riding maps and no doubt with a bit of persuasion, a few locals would likely give you the tour as well.
Inverness to wherever either by plane or train ( or bus for cheapskate/ skint bikers)
Lakes, I've found it more accessible with better linked routes than some stuff in Wales (and it's got lots in a small space) Keswick or Ambleside are great bases and you could do 4 or 5 good routes from both easily.
http://www.berniescafe.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=100_105&products_id=855
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