[Closed] How long does Innerleithen XC take?

Nearer 2 even for me - and I'd not class myself as "relatively fit".

Took me 2 hours on a 5" Trek EX8 and I ride 3 times a week. So allow for 3!
But I did slow down to allow the less fit guys catch up.

Thanks

took me about 2 hrs on my own and that was with stopping at the top to put my knee pads on.. I'm probably average fitness wise (i think)

It seems to take forever to get to the top I know that much.

If you dont keep stopping or take any of the fun extras its more like 1.5 hrs.

ages if me and my lot are there 🙂

Less than an hour and a half when I did it on Sunday. Not sure exactly how long though as I wasn't timing it.

Easily under two hours if not stopping/chatting etc. And i'm not fit by any means. Great trail.

Top tip: rag round it, finish at the bottom, turn right, ride along the road, carefully avoiding any cars, especially those containing local Driving Instructors, then ride round and do the last bit again, only quicker this time.

Don't think I've ever done it in under 3 hours, riding (as opposed to racing)'s not about how long it takes you, it's about how much fun you can have doing it. 😉

gw, we deffo do the down bits quick 🙂

high5

Im pretty sure you could get under an hour if you rode it all fast and didnt stop...new challenge!

pretty sure I couldn't.

Hi5 Jedi, Aye deffo 😀

Alex - I'd say nearer 2 if youre not in a group. Im not that fit (the red xc was my "training" for the CRC Selkirk Marathon which I finished in 6:30 which was at the wrong end of the middle of the 85k field) and the climb to Minch Moor takes me 60 mins +/- 4. The "down" which includes a moderate chunk of fireroad climbing takes around 35 - 40 mins. I did 3 laps in 5 hours including refilling with water etc in the car park.

If I wasnt a lard arse - I could.... well there's no point in speculating:)

high5

I did it with a beginner last week. It took us 3 hours but we missed Plora whatsit an did the Make or Brake DH section instead.

I'd say nearer 2 if youre not in a group

hmmmm, there will be 19 of us with a mix of abilities - maybe we should take tents 🙂

I was planning it as part of a longer (50km) route that goes to Selkirk, but now I'm a bit worried that the whole thing is just going to be too long for the group.

It's quick on your own - but for 19 people you can probably multiply any time stated here by two.
A good extension that lengthens the XC out without going all the way to Selkirk is to take the SUW (once you're on it after Minch moor) to the three brethren, then down to the village in the valley and back up. This is a popular route - I've seen it described a few place on the web. Good route for a nice day as the views are great.

I know someone that rode a rigid singlespeed round there so fast that his dust is still floating around in the atmosphere. 😉

Garry, that's brilliant, thanks. Sounds ideal. Do you know what the village in the valley is called? Do you mean Broadmeadows/Yarrowford?

Broadmeadows -[url= http://www.mapmyride.com/route/united-kingdom/innerleithen/687127352768038562 ]described here[/url]. (That map includes an extra loop from the village that I've not done)

SSS, oh that'll be me, Smee had front end bounce that day.

The trail maps always seem to ere on the very catious side for timings e.g. W2 and Skyline at Afan both say 4-7hrs, both of which are easily achievable without killing yourself in sub 3hrs. If your semi fit and ride often then knock a bit of the shortest time suggested.
That's assuming most of the people on here actually get out and ride their bikes as much as they do talk about them 😉 😆

I'd say in a large group 3 hours is realistic but you may well get round in less if the farting about is kept to a minimum.

The last few times I've been I've done Inners in the morning and GT red in the afternoon

When will this group of 19 be there?

kevonakona - Member

SSS, oh that'll be me, Smee had front end bounce that day.

Two lots of atmospheric dust for the price of one then. 😆

When will this group of 19 be there?

Sunday 29th. Then Monday 30th round Glentress before heading up to the Cairngorms.

I'm bringing a group of Spaniards to Scotland for a week to show them the riding, the beer, the trail centres, the beer and the scenery. It's turning into the most stressful holiday I've ever had but hopefully will be worth it in the end! STW has been a great help actually, and I had a possible offer of a guide for this route from Innerleithen but I've just discovered the local has been blocked from the forum and I now can't get in touch with him!

Though with all these maps I think we'll be alright without a guide.

I could maybe help with guiding some Spaniards around Inners on the 29th, sounds like fun.

Are they all lycra wearing light hardtail types ?

Ole !

Actually i'd be happy to come on the if you want more help with "guiding" obviously Hels kicks my ass but you know if you wanted to split the groups and give options. Although my spanish is limited. 😕

I had great fun at a race in Spain at Easter

1 hr 11 mins for me was a time i remember well. I set off slightly behind this bunch of guys, by the time i done a lap i still managed to get to the top of minch moor on my 2nd lap before they got to the top on their first. Not bragging, just saying like 😛

I seem to remember doing it in 1 hr 15, just over 40 minutes to the top of the Minch Moor but I may have my rose tinted specs on 😆

Great riding towards Selkirk as Garry_Lager says.

Wow - thanks Kev and Hels. Just seen this and that's a very kind offer. I'll be in touch!

had a possible offer of a guide for this route from Innerleithen but I've just discovered the local has been blocked from the forum and I now can't get in touch with him!

Smee - now edinburgh based

Once you finish a lap,how far do you ride on the road to get back onto the final section for another blast?

No road. As far as I can remember you can climb up the first bit of the XC and then follow signs to Caddon Bank.

There are only two important words for mountain biking Spanish Kev - "facil" and "dificil" saved my life more than once I am sure !

For double Cadonbank-ness I reckon just ride up the DHers push up track. That gives you the option of that nice bit of single-track off to the right as you look down at the town along the wall, which rejoins after the roller coaster bit.

I can do it in about 1.5hrs. But that's on my own with no stopping.

Regularly ride it with some pals who aren't that fit and like to stop a fair bit. Nice social ride. That tends to take 2.5 hrs.

I'm local too ... Live at the bottom of the trails. Will most likely be riding that day too... Happy to join/help with guiding. Sounds like you've a couple offers all ready, but you may need a couple of folk with 19 riders 🙂

Oh, and if you fancied that big loop, there's some cracking singtrack off the southern upland way from three brethren down through yair forest. It's the route that the Merida marathon takes. Once down the bottom, you can carry on along the Merida route back up into the woods near Ellie bank and through some great techy bits up there too. All in should be a cracking 50km.

ST never ceases to amaze me - thanks to everyone (the previous offer came from Obi Twa - is he the same person as Smee?).

We will be lycra head to toe - matching club kit too 😯 . No light Euro-hardtails though as we'll be on hire bikes from The Hub.

I'll be in touch with those who have offered their help next week. Beer/Cake will be provided.

Thanks (quite touched)

eck

Beer and cake? Wicked. I'm definitely in.

Hels, Kev and Stooo - if you're still interested and not regretting the rush of blood to the head that led you to offer then send me an email (address in profile). We're picking up the hire bikes at The Hub at just after 9 and it's likely to take us a little while to get going so we'll maybe get to the trail head at Innerelithen at around 10.30 (?)

The plan is to head off on the Innerleithen XC circuit then see where we get to, heading back to Traquair House for beers at about 4!

smee /obi says - never go back on an offer to help and shall be along in tow if still welcome

- hes not a bad lad in real life really - and knows some cracking trails round there that aint the main inners XC

thanks trail_rat.
By all means he's still welcome! If he drops me a mail I'll be in touch that way!

eckinspain

Maybe I am just being thick but I can't find an email address on your blog (if I hit your profile on here it links straight to your blog) anyways I am still up for guiding so drop me an email helenmfindlay at yahoo.co.uk to confirm rendezvous and I will see you at FCS carpark Innerleithen on sunday 10.30. It's not an uplift weekend so should be able to get around unmolested !

Eck ditto Hels, my addy is kevonakonaAThotmailDOTcoDOTuk i'll be riding a kona and probably in the most obvious vehicle in the car park. Will also have obi with me assuming he is still go.

eckgemmell(at)gmail(dot)com is his email from profile hels

What you got Kev? 😯

Well if the bloody garage 👿 fit the windows something very conspicuous but more common in Welsh centres. If they don't fit the windows then possibly a very grumpy face 🙁

Thanks guys, you can find my e-mail if you click on "Member" instead of my name but I'll drop you guys an e-mail now anyway.

Obi emailed yesterday to say he was coming too!

.....but more common in Welsh centres.

A sheep? 😆