thinking i might go over and try some of the mtb trails on Arran next week and was wondering what its like I'd be looking at doing the 35km 'classic' route which is graded severe - Just how difficult is it technically? Is it (for example) alot more difficult than red or black at Glentress?
Take a good map. I'd recommend a 1:25,000. The trails are hard to find in places and not marked. Not technically difficult at all, certainly nothing worse than the glentress black. Its more of an adventure really. I'd suggest the Fallen rocks route is probably the best route on Arran but contains lots of road.
I barely came across anything technical on the Arran black route, but like balfa says it's quite hard to find some parts and I definitely missed some out.
I was there at the weekend and discovered that parts of the old Arran Red Route in the Clauchland area near Brodick are better than anything I'd previously come across anything on the Black.
This path along the cliff edge was particularly good - http://www.multimap.com/s/PPoUoOTS
Some nice bits of singletrack just off road that leads to the big waterfall behind Whiting Bay.
I was there a few weeks back. As good fortune would have it, we stayed at the Invermay Guest House in Whiting Bay, which was owned by a guy Martin who happens to be a mountain biker. Gave us the heads up on the best of the local riding. He also has a mate thats superb on a trials bike.
Members of the local bike club were only too happy to guide as well, and do a long Sunday ride. www.arranbikeclub.com