Video: Elliott Heap Rallies his Trail Bike in the Tweed Valley

Mar 11, 2023 at 4:12
by Ed Spratt  

bigquotesThe UK is fortunate to have a numerous purpose-built centre, dedicated to mountain bikers. Usually situated in the heart of stunning woodlands these centres allow you to hone your skills, push your limits and have an awesome time with your bike. There is the perfect place to start, often they are geared up with bike hire, changing facilities and coaching or guides to help you.

Situated only 1 hour from Edinburgh in the heart of the Tweed Valley is Glentress forest. The forest is home to Scotland’s flagship trail centre, part of the 7stanes project. Over 300,000 riders a year make the pilgrimage to Glentress and are welcomed with a warm brew from the onsite café before you take on one of the five purpose-built trails. These trails are all graded from beginners to experts (green to black). It’s the perfect venue for progression and to experience mountain biking.

Nukeproof riders have enjoyed these trails for many years. The Tweed Valley’s wide variety of riding has even attracted Nukeproof-SRAM factory race manager Nigel Page and rapid Wigan’er; Elliott Heap to make the move.

For Elliott this was motivated to have world class trails on his doorstep. It’s a perfect location for an aspiring racer; From racking up miles on his gravel bike, playing on the trails on his Reactor all the way through to testing his Mega on stages used at the previous year’s Enduro World Series, the valley has it all.

Elliott has mixed his time on both the Reactor’s wheel options. Having won a silver medal at the UCI 4x World Championship in Val Di Sol, he’s a big fan. In preparation for the season ahead he’s built up his Reactor 290c to roam his new neighbourhood. The Reactor 290c is a perfect choice for taking on the variety of the valley. Short but effective travel, playful set up and responsive when hitting punchy climbs. To show off his new Reactor, we sent Elliott in the butty van to meet up with Caldwell Visuals for a day at the awesome Glentress trail centre.

Filmed with Caldwell Visuals
Nukeproof


Author Info:
edspratt avatar

Member since Mar 16, 2017
3,063 articles

24 Comments
  • 23 0
 Excellent jackets, incredible trails - I feel the need, the need for tweed. Seriously though, would like to ride there.
  • 17 0
 The Golfie is where it's at. Innerleithen is in need of maintenance, has been for years. Glentress is a lot tamer, but still has nice off piste stuff.
  • 7 0
 @wbro74: 100%. The Golfie is so so good.
Uplift and Inners or pedal and the Golfie.... Easy choice. Golfie.
  • 4 3
 @betsie: Even easier choice with a eeb Big Grin .
  • 3 0
 @wbro74: Back in the day the golfie only had one purpose built trail on it but it was still the best trail in the valley.
  • 1 0
 @Murder-One: I bet it was. I remember about 20 years ago i'd be on the uplift at Inners most weekends and the Golfie was a thing of mystery that only the locals new about.
  • 1 0
 @Murder-One: Memories. Shuttles on pit-bikes.
  • 12 2
 "welcomed with a warm brew from the onsite café"

Sorry but the onsite cafe at Glentress is terrible compared to what it used to be.
  • 4 2
 Yea I went back to the cafe in September last yea and it was utter filth. The chicken fillet burger was fit for dogs, not humans. Utter rip off rank
  • 2 0
 the advertisers don't care for a realistic assessment of their product offering.
  • 7 0
 @fatduke Tbh, the place has went t**s up since Emma and Tracey lost it.
  • 1 0
 If you can’t cook a 6/10 portion of frozen chips then you may as well give up.
  • 5 2
 Places i ride every week, except not like that :'(
  • 3 1
 I’m a resident of Arizona and I’ve not seen sidewalks as buff as those trails.
  • 1 1
 All of us: WATER BOTTLE MOUNTS
Bike Industry: Fine but you're not gonna use them.
All of us: YES WE WILL
Bike Industry: we see you.
  • 1 1
 Anyone else now convinced that Eminem had a secret lovechild son? (The rapper that is, not Elliott) =P
  • 1 0
 Great english styyyyle....
  • 3 1
 The flow is immaculate..
  • 1 0
 loved this vid, seems lmike a good all round bike there ! Eek
  • 1 0
 Great riding, great filming and its got Pagey, what's not to love!
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