Video: The Capital Trail in 24 Hours

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If you read our feature in issue 140 of Singletrack World Magazine, you’ll know that the Capital Trail can be ridden over a leisurely-ish couple of days in the company of friends, food, pubs and the like. Or, you could decide the the 240km 5,200m elevation route should be tackled in 24 hours.

The Capital Trail in 24 hours
Credit: Finlay Anderson

Is the greater suffering to be had in riding light and fast and no sleep, or carrying all your gear and sleeping in the wild? Or, for the glass half full crowd, which offers most fun? Riders Janey and Fi were all set for the Strathpuffer when it was cancelled, so rather than put all their training to waste they set about riding the Capital Trail in one fast fell swoop – mostly in the dark to boot. To inspire you to similar actions, put you in awe of their achievements, or convince you never to try anything so ridiculous, they’ve made a video about it, which you can watch, here:

Back in January, Janey and Fi set out on an attempt to ride the Capital Trail in one push – a 240km bike packing route around Edinburgh, East Lothian and the Scottish Borders, normally tackled over three steady days. With 5200m of climbing and 17 hours of darkness coupled with winter conditions under tyre, they certainly had their work cut out. Give the video a watch to find out how they got on…

The Capital Trail in 24 hours
Credit: Finlay Anderson
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Hannah Dobson

Managing Editor

I came to Singletrack having decided there must be more to life than meetings. I like all bikes, but especially unusual ones. More than bikes, I like what bikes do. I think that they link people and places; that cycling creates a connection between us and our environment; bikes create communities; deliver freedom; bring joy; and improve fitness. They're environmentally friendly and create friendly environments. I try to write about all these things in the hope that others might discover the joy of bikes too.

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Viewing 15 posts - 1 through 15 (of 15 total)
  • Video: The Capital Trail in 24 Hours
  • dovebiker
    Full Member

    I was daft enough to do this on my own a few years ago. I started in West Linton and forgot to top up with water in Lauder and by the time I got near the Three Brethren I was parched but managed to find a trickle of water above the tree line that I was able to grab a few gritty mouthfuls. I was famished by the time I got to Peebles and ‘impressed’ the locals whilst sat on the pavement outside the chippy inhaling a sausage supper…

    Posted 2 years ago
    lightfighter762
    Free Member

    That is a great story dovebiker.

    Posted 2 years ago
    tractionman
    Full Member

    Every capital should have its Capital Trail, a challenge for Singletrackers to come up with similar circular routes for our other capitals of the UK, one each for Belfast, Cardiff and London to match Edinburgh’s? I’ll start plotting…

    Posted 2 years ago
    rOcKeTdOg
    Full Member

    Eco Birmingham have a cycle route through all 69 wards of the area, my friend was involved in planning it. It’s not exactly east Lothian & borders though!

    69 Wards Walking & Cycling Map

    Posted 2 years ago
    swanny853
    Full Member

    London
    Never quite got round to trying it.

    Posted 2 years ago
    matt_outandabout
    Free Member

    I bet Belfast and Cardiff could have a cracking circular trail each.

    Posted 2 years ago
    molgrips
    Free Member

    How long does it need to be? I’ll get started. I’ve already got a long circular route, I think it has over 8,000m of climbing in it.

    Posted 2 years ago
    teadrinker
    Full Member

    I bet Belfast and Cardiff could have a cracking circular trail each.

    giggles

    Posted 2 years ago
    radbikebro
    Full Member

    You could easily do a megaloop from Cardiff, the problem is where do you stop? You could technically ride all the way to Brecon pretty much offroad and have a BIG loop there too…

    Posted 2 years ago
    tractionman
    Full Member

    From Belfast something like 240km circular route would get you down to the Mourne Mountains and back, say going out from Belfast along the North Down Coastal Path, then through some backroads down the Ards Peninsular, over the Strangford Ferry then though Castle Ward estate, Tollymore Forest Park, to Rostrevor Forest, then back up along the Newry Canal to either the Lagan route back to Belfast or somehow over the Divis/Cave Hill area into the city–problem is in NI having few off-road options except for certain locations like the forest parks.

    Posted 2 years ago
    stwhannah
    Full Member

    Once upon a time I think we had a ‘city circulars’ story idea on the board. If you come up with something good (and legal) and mountain bikey, get in touch! Especially if you live in Birmingham or Kings Lynn 🙂

    Posted 2 years ago
    jodafett
    Free Member

    This has been on my mind for a while, as the trail passes my front door in Edinburgh. After watching this video I’ve decided to give it a go in May. I’ll report back if I die!

    Posted 2 years ago
    MrAgreeable
    Full Member

    I’ll report back if I die!

    It’s actually a very nice route, as long as you don’t try and smash it out in one. https://getthybearings.com/adventures/capital-stuff/

    Posted 2 years ago
    honeybadgerx
    Full Member

    The trail passes our door in the West Linton area so if anyone ever needs help with re-fuelling / water / mechanicals, let me know!

    Posted 2 years ago
    crazy-legs
    Full Member

    There’s a (road) Sportive in Manchester, the Tour de Manc that passes through all the borough councils – it’s utterly terrible, basically like a really long commute with all the traffic and urban roads that roadies would normally do anything to avoid. Except this time they pay £38 for it.

    There are MTB options, a lot of canal towpaths and gritstone trails that could be used.

    Posted 2 years ago
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