Isla Short- Her stomping ground to train for the world cup.
Location: North Venachar Isla moved to the area a short while ago, a vindication of just how good the riding is.The area plays host to a wide range of riding from technical enduro trails to all day mountain epics and awesome road and gravel in between.
Location: Loch Ard
Isla riding the Balquidder trails. Support and take a look at the trail associations hard-work and effort! https://www.balquhidder.info/
There is a solid riding community in the central belt and this has placed the area on the map as a must go to for many Scottish riders.
Ben Lomond, at 974m and a short drive from Glasgow is one of Scotland's most accessible Munros and is well known as a Scottish classic.
No photo article is complete without the customary trail dog photo!
Aberfoyle, or Gravelfoyle as it has become known. Home of the Dukes Weekender event and offering over 200km of forest roads and trails within just a 12km radius of the village it offers a wonderful variety of riding for all abilities.
Glasgow is home to a Velo Solutions pump track.In 2023 Glagow will host the first integrated World Championships, which is endorsement of how cycling positive the city has become.
Aberfoyle is an untapped gem of a place for MTB with great potential. Trails whilst great are not a patch on tweed valley. Good to see DMBINS mention the area but the reality is the west of Scotland is miles behind tweed valley in terms of funding, trail building and it would be great to see that change.
Aberfoyle has got to be some of the hardest trails in the country! I don't think I've ridden many that are as tricky as Noodle Soup, and I dont even ride some of the lower ones cause they are just too steep! Can't say I've said that about any trail in the valley
@toad321: Yes I agree with you regarding the steepness and technicality of the Aberfoyle trails. I was just making the point that it would be great if there were more of them.
@toad321: I’ve got to be honest with the tweed valley. It’s basically a trail centre without the kitty litter. Great if it’s on your doorstep but not worth leaving the lakes for. What you’ve described sounds way more appealing.
Riding trails in Scotland is one of the most memorable things I ever did on a mountain bike. First ever ride there was from Balmaha to the top of Ben Lomond (even though I had to push and carry my bike most of the time up the hiking trail). The people I met on my way to the top did make a few jokes as they passed me, but applauded as I reached the top. Most beautiful scenery to ride a bike. Hope to get back there some day.
@Bitelio: I remember that Torridon was on the list, but we only had two weeks and quite a long route (started from New Castle to Glasgow, Oban, Fort William, Inverness, Dunkelt, Edinburgh, Glentress). Got to ride Ben Lomond, the mast trails in Inverness and Glentress. Did an entire day in the trail centre in Glentress. 45km. To quote Sam Pilgrim: That was the dream!