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Any Mountain Bikers in Central Scotland?

DickBarton

Member
Messages
24
Location
Stirling, Scotland
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
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Same old...why???; Profile biogs - they sound like dating profiles!
Just wondering how many are out there and if they'd fancy getting a ride sorted out somewhere? (I'm not going to suggest Glentress but that is probably the 'best' place to head).

Would be a good excuse to get my back out on my bike so that I wasn't flagging behind.
 
Where you based mate? I'm in broxburn and enjoy a nice bit of mtb.

I tried XC racing and failed miserably and also had a bad fall due to overinflated tyres which caused me to lose confidence lol. Trying to get back into it again though (not racing)

I like Glentress, Innerleithen is good too but requires a fitness level I don't have at the minute due to being lazy over the last year or so lol

Cheers
Craig K
 
Hi,

I'm in Stirling, was going to head up to Carron Valley and do a few laps (in reality that'll be 1 full lap then a play on the Runway!) but it is looking properly wet out there so instead of messing up my car, I'll head out and ride locally - Cambusbarron/North Third - see how my legs are coping - my lungs are going to hurt anyway, hopefully the legs will keep turning the pedals!

I used to race (20 years ago!) - but was never any good at it...

Beecraigs has some new trails up there - was there earlier this year and it's good fun.
 
Yeah I tried beecraigs because it's only 2 or so miles down the road and couldn't find the 1st half lol.

I need the company for motivation. If I go to Glentress I do the same. 1 lap of red then home lol. It's annoying because i use the fuel to get there and don't last. Would probably spend more time there if I had others with me.

I've heard of Carron valley, where's that?

Me and the girlfriend done a road trip up north last year taking the mountain bikes. We basically slept the the back of a hire van for 7 days and rode some trails. Think we done:

Laggan wolftrax
fort william (didn't enjoy the XC part)
And Golspie

Golspie was a cracking wee trail lol
 
Hey guys been a while since I've been out on my mtb but happy to get a ride out. Somewhere I normally frequent the cycle path between Dunfermline and Alloa was getting fed up driving everywhere hubby also rides
 
Beecraigs isn't down from anywhere...it's a painful climb to get to it! ;-)

Carron Valley is up behind Denny/Kilsyth - I was involved in the build so can bore you endlessly of stories (but I won't!) - it's very short but has 1 climb and 3 downward sections, last section has some features in it. I really fancy trying Golspie but don't have the legs or lungs to do it justice (plus the drive up there is rather long!).

Hi Danaemac - have you tried Blairadam? Nice trails in there and not far from Dunfermline.

I hadn't considered that many people would be interested in this, now 2 people have posted up and both live on opposite sides of the Forth! That suggests a couple of rides would need to be organised so that locals can show off their location and visitors get to try new places.

I'm more than happy to get a few people in Stirling and show them the area - depends on what people enjoy riding though - I wouldn't want to make it too technical or too boring...however, it might be worth a gathering of some sort somewhere...
 
Yeah I know what you mean about beecraigs lol. I cycled the first time and regretted it. It was uphill there and uphill home. Don't know how that works but it's true! Lol

I'd be quite interested in giving the carron valley a shot. I done a quick Google search and could make for a nice run
 
Im not that technical but have done a couple of loops of Laagan and enjoyed it I would be quite happy just meeting up with a few like minded individuals sure my hubby would tag along too if he's invited
 
Ok, well that could be 1 of the locations to stick down as a potential collection of places to try.

Carron Valley
Beecraigs
Blairadam
Comrie Croft
Stirling - Dumyat, Cambusbarron

We just need to sort out potential ride dates - I can do evenings when I'm not parenting - week on/week off...most Saturday's can be done and every second Sunday could be done...
 
The more the merrier...it's more to get people out on bikes that just happen to share another common interest (diabetes!).

Laggan is a cracking wee network...pretty sure you could ride everything on the list (there would be a few wee bits that may test you but that would most likely just encourage you to get even better...)
 
I'm shifts but no real set schedule I do generally know these 4 weeks in advance and "should " get 1 in 4 weekends off
 
Hubby isn't diabetic but is probably on the slippery slope no point me saying anything though but getting him out on his bike is what he wants to do
 
I'm a part time back shift worker so some evenings are fine for me but I'm off every Saturday and off two Sundays a month.

I like some technical stuff but my bikes an XC race bike so it's not set up for massive drop offs lol (I have a giant XTC 29er). Looked into buying a full suss bike but I can't be bothered with the extra hassle lol
 
Even more reason for me to get my hardtail back up and running - I'll order the bits today! I got an amazing deal on a bike so it is far more bike than I'll ever need - so don't worry, I'm not hiding anything when I say I'm out of shape.

Danaemac - this all sounds good (well, everything but the 'slippery slope' bit) - the more the merrier, so all good.

Right, sounds like we have the basis of getting something in the diary - would a trail centre-esque location be preferred for the first outing? Means we have a decent idea of what to expect and we don't have any surprises in terms of obstacles.
 
Yeah trail centre sounds good. Is there anyone up for car sharing if it's Glentress etc? Will keep fuel costs down. Unfortunately my bike rack only holds two bikes or I'd offer to

Also looking at two bikes from dartmoor, the hornet or the primal which is an all mountain hardtail. Can take upto 160mm fork on the front. I struggle to lift the front end on mine because of the large wheels and frame geometry. Great for climbing though.
 
I'm on a cube hard tail, hubby has the option of 29er brand new on its way or his cube ams 130 ( his toy )
 
I wanted to have a bash at the downhill stuff but don't think I'm brave enough. I then decided to look at AM bikes but they are too expensive so I like hardtails because of the simplicity and price haha.

The 29er bikes are great for climbing and rolling over 5 things but are awful for drop offs etc as the front end is too heavy to lift. I'm gonna experiment with a shorter stem And riser bars to see if it helps lol
 
I've just ordered up some new parts for my hardtail - Pace RC-200 F8 - a very old-skool race hardtail - is very quick but also very unforgiving. My usual bike is a Whyte 146S - it's brilliant.

Kerr - what kind of biking do you want to do? No point going AM if you don't need it...something to chat about on the first bike ride!
 
Yes maybe the XC bike will be sufficient. I probably still wouldn't tackle the mad stuff even with an AM bike.

I do need to find a way of making the front end easier to lift so short stem and riser bars are 1st on my list lol
 
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