As above really. I may have an opporunity to spend some time in both places, and was wondering if there is alot of good riding around? Is it mainly xc, or is there some dh etc as well?
Does anyone live there? Is there much of a riding scene at all?
Cheers, Andy
Perth/Blair Athol covers a lot of ground! between the two you have:
Dunkeld, average XC riding, great DH.
Pitlochry, great road riding, and undoubtedly great MTB, although i haven't taken the mtb up there yet.
Blair Athol takes you to the foot of Glen Tilt, at the top of which is some great XC stuff.
Arran is alledgedly good but i can't imagine there being as many options or as much variety as Dunkled etc.
ok, well, if i would be staying in a small village place called dalguise, which is nearest to dunkeld. Which would be good for dh i guess. are there alot of local dh'ers there then? Also, its really not too far from pitlochry, or any of the other places. I take the point about there would probably be more variety. I was thinking similarly to be honest. I'd say either way, it will be more interesting than the chilterns, and looking at the os map, there should be more than enough to keep me entertained for the few months i would be there.
I was in Arran a few years back and enjoyed a few good rides.
There is a good local MTB group and its well worth going out with them. They do a weekly night ride and I really enjoyed the ride I did with them. Local knowledge is always great.
Goats Fell is good, but don't bother going up to the top, just the bottom 1/3. There are some maps and routes available and have a few good routes.
Dunkeld has one of the best DH tracks in Scotland, see the DVD "Home" for footage. There's also Ben Vrackie in Pitlochry, 850m or something and apparently rideable all the way up and all the way back down.
There's definitely better riding in Scotland but recently I've been thinking Pitlochry or the surrounding area would be a great place to live as a 'base' for loads of excellent riding nearby. Dunkeld's right on the Edinburgh-Inverness line as well so you've got easy access to aviemore right on your doorstep.
I don't work for Pitlochry tourist board or anything, just happen to have done loads of good riding in the area (including the scariest road descent i've ever ridden yesterday!).
cool, that sound promisng. so there is more than one track in dunkeld?
oh yes.....more than enough to keep anyone busy for afew months.
Check out the OS map again. Remember, its Scotland so its open access.
Lots of good XC from Dunkeld. Head over towards Loch Ordie and Loch Oissineach on the east side of the A9 - don't have a particular route to recommend, just follow your nose. The forest just north of Dunkeld is used by an offroad driving centre so gets pretty mucky but north of the Glack it's (mostly) all good.
Pitlochry has good riding as well, the right of way to Strathtay that goes SE from the town past a stone circle and down beside the golf course is ace but the return is either road or up and over Farragon Hill which isn't so ace, at least on the way up!
You can also drop back down from the radio mast to Loch Faskally.
Lots of good riverside singletrack between Pitlochry, Garry Bridge and Linn of Tummel. You can combine that with the route up Glen Fincastle and down from Loch Bhac (the track heading NNEish) to the A9 is ace - return by crossing A9, picking up the track that runs on the N side of the A9 between the road and the river (the footbridge on the map isn't there any more) and into Old Struan. Take a right by the church (signed as a FP - good riding though) to the river/ road/ rail 3 way bridge which is quite ace.
From Struan start off up the Minigaig path (under A9) then after the first steep climb take the track on the right that eventually takes you back to behind the House of Bruar. Unless you are minted skip that for a tea stop! From there jump on the road into Blair Atholl, turn right after the station (you'll pass the Old Mill Tearoom which is much more affordable), then cross the river and follow the track on the S side of the river to Killiecrankie - you can get onto the path network by the river from the Soldier's Leap visitor centre or just go back on the road.
Not ridden on Arran.
I was there with the other half last August for 3 days, no biking but noticed at Brodick visitor centre info on a red graded and black graded man made route, I think the routes were located close to each other also. Be sure to take your own transport to get about the island
I've spent a lot of time in Arran and whilst there is some nice riding I wouldn't suggest it if your going there for the biking solely.
http://www.arranbikeclub.com/club.htm
Clauchan link is a bit of a bog fest even mid summer.
The Cock of arran/fallen rocks route is probably one of the better ones but still half road.
Some nice riding around brodick and lamlash but none of it is waymarked and you'll need good map skills to find some of it.
I've taken the cloanaig ferry over to do a loop up and over kintyre and round to tarbert and back. Reasonably good riding and nice views.
Glen Rosa is a nice technical challenge but its ride up and ride back unless you like some serious hike a bike.
Ben Vrackie is NOT rideable all the way up, however you can get right up to the lochan at the foot of it. Second Glen Tilt as a wonderful way to spend a day.
lyons
some nice xc routes from blair castle up to glen bruar and over to glen garry etc
Dunkeld has plenty from loch ordie ..great night ride to the DH at craig vinnean
speak to Kevin, Colin or Malcolm @ Escape route and they'll suggest a few nuggets and sample the fine coffee too 😉
Beinn a ghlo circuit / glen tilt circuit from Blair Athol
http://www.singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/todays-grand-day-out
One of my favorite rides - not very gnarly but very scenic and right out in the wilds
For Dunkeld to Blair Atholl go and vist Escape Route, the bike shop in Pitlochry, the guys all live and ride around there. They go night riding on a Wednesday night too if you are up for it.
tell kev a shite joke and get a free coffee