Glentress is a world-class mountain bike destination and part of the Seven Stanes network of biking trails spanning the south of Scotland.
But without a car or other means of direct transport, Karl Mott, a former business studies student at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, found it difficult to access the trails at weekends and participate in the sport he loves.
A few years down the line, and Karl and his wife Abie have turned the bike transport problem and Karl’s passion for mountain biking into an exciting new business venture. Bike Bus Glentress takes bikes and riders direct from Edinburgh city centre to Glentress twice daily at weekends and once mid-week, beginning September 2011.
“What we’re offering is an affordable service that can be used both by local people and those travelling from further afield,’ explains Karl, a qualified Mountain Bike Leader (MBLA) who has been racing road and mountain bikes in the Scottish Borders since the age of thirteen. ‘Glentress has been very car-oriented up until now, but with this new service, cyclists can catch a train into Edinburgh then hop on the Bike Bus. It also provides a more sustainable option for people who would normally make the trip by car.”
The Bike Bus is an eight-seat minibus with a specially designed trailer capable of carrying up to ten bikes at a time. In addition to the travel service, Bike Bus Glentress offers introductory guiding for beginners and intermediate riders and bike hire is available at the Glentress Peel Centre.
To book the Bike Bus, find out about fares or ask about Bike Bus Glentress guiding service, call 07549145634 or visit www.bikebusglentress.co.uk.
Comments (7)
Comments Closed
We had one of these many years ago in Stoke picking up at rail station and going in to the White Peak. Only found sour about it as it died. Pre internet I expect. Wish it were here now.
Hurrah! This was much needed…
Hope it works out – good idea.
Good idea but trying to figure out why 8 seats and 10 bikes?!
Good idea- and the Peel has lockers as well to stash your stuff in. Timing’s a wee bit squeaky though, 3 hours isn’t an awful long time.
ian1775 –
1. The van has 9 seats if you include the driver (who presumably will want to ride sometimes).
2. The trailer is only available as a 10 bike version. We have the same one.
Great idea. Here in California we have a lot of trails that would benefit from a system like this. Some trails are almost unattainable by bike without driving 30 miles first. I have a bike like this http://www.2wheelbikes.com/sx30-mountain-bike.html and I love riding. I will see if this is something we can implement in our area