Gay Outdoor Club: Scottish Mountain Biking 2008

Contact details for Edinburgh Group


Sunday 3 February. Pentlands. Short ride along little visited tracks starting at Carlops - 27km on mostly broad dirt roads. Pub lunch in Carlops afterwards.

Sunday 2 March. Forest of Ae. Red graded forestry commission purpose built mountain biking route - 20km. Meet at the Trail Head (near Ae village off the A701). Bring a packed lunch.

Sunday 6 April. Peebles - Cloich Forest. This 32km route is mostly along rough dirt roads and offers good views over Peebles as well as climbs and descents ranging from fast to technical. Meet at the car park just south of the River Tweed on the B7062. Bring a packed lunch. Tea in Peebles afterwards.

Saturday 10 May. Glen Isla to Glen Prosen. This 50km route starts in forest in Glen Isla, then climbs up Glen Finlet and crosses to Glen Prosen. A short section must be walked. Return to the start is via Glen Uig. Dirt tracks and minor roads. Bring a packed lunch. Meet in Kirkton of Glen Isla on the B951 (To get there from the south go through Blairgowrie to Alyth. After this follow signs for Glen Isla.)

Sunday 1 June. Glen Tress - Helly Hansen (black) trail. This 29km route is only for experienced mountain bikers. Meet in the Hub Café. Bring a packed lunch if you don't want to wait until mid-afternoon for food. Glen Tress is about 2km East of Peebles along the A72.

Friday 27 - 29 June. Moray Monster Trails and Cairngorms. A weekend of mountain biking in two beautiful parts of Scotland. On Saturday we ride the monster trails, which are a 28km network of trails joining up three distinct centres. On Sunday it is a gentler ride along tracks in the Cairngorms. More details on accommodation nearer the time,

Sunday 27 July. Broughton - Pykestone and Hammer Head. Links in with the Viola walk. Start in Broughton (meet for coffee first). A strenuous 29km along small roads and tracks. Bring a packed lunch. Tea afterwards.

Sunday 5 October. Carron Valley Forest. 15km of red graded trails in an accessible location. The cycle may be extended along forest trails if the weather is suitable. Meet at the trailhead in Carron Valley Forest on the B818 about 7 miles West of Denny. Bring a packed lunch.

For further information see the GOC Outdoors magazine.