I must admit, after just having got back from a 3 hour bimble round the Blade, I can see why it is Marmite. It is sitting in my bottom two trail centre trails.
There’s nothing at all technical on it, but … by god does the surface not hammer you?
The climb was long but easily rideable (if slowly by me) but it took a long time to get any decent descent time. A lot of the descents seemed to be over almost as soon as they had begun.
Apart from that, I kind of got the feeling they tried to squeeze as much rocky armoured trail in as they could. Up to the end, there was hardly any “take a break” trail time.
Natural rides definitely have wee gaps to rest the mind and body while you pedal and the best trail centres have the same. Not here though.
My biggest bug bear though, what the heck is it with all the little gates at the entry and exit of anything interesting? Too narrow for riding through for me. Blinking annoying to have to stop and lift your bike through them. Grrr.
First trail centre trail in a long time that didn’t leave a grin on my face. Pity.