The documentary offers an insight into the often unseen volunteers behind Scotland’s mountain bike trail maintaining crews. I followed the Tayside Trail Association for 15 months and saw some unexpected things. Known for its open land access, Scotland is one of the world’s top mountain biking destinations. Many trails began as rogue creations on private land, where the stakes were high for both builders and landowners—hard earned trails built by rogue trail builders would not be kept secret for long and the legitimate concerns of landowners who were being put at risk of liability.
During COVID, the surge in mountain biking placed unprecedented pressure on existing trails, many of which fell into decay. Riders with time on their hands built new trails, prompting further frustration from landowners. A critical point was looming: a major conflict between mountain bikers and landowners seemed inevitable.
Out of this tension, some trail builders recognised the need for change and formed the first trail association. Their success inspired the emergence of more associations, each earning difficult and hard-won trust from landowners to maintain previously unsanctioned trails. The documentary follows the Tayside Trail Association, whose volunteers—when not riding—use only basic hand tools to craft sustainable trails in often remote terrain, always mindful of the environment, the landowners, and best practices for navigating storms that now frequently devastate forests.
Through their journey, we witness the passion, perseverance, and collaboration that is keeping Scotland’s trails alive, showing how volunteers are shaping the future of mountain biking while balancing thrill, safety, and sustainability.
Looking forward to watching this. Thanks for posting
I'm assuming that was written by an AI bot.
Such a shame that many folks would be put off even considering watching that just due to the AI generated picture. It had already appeared in my suggested videos and I had scrolled on by for that reason.
Such a shame that many folks would be put off even considering watching that just due to the AI generated picture. It had already appeared in my suggested videos and I had scrolled on by for that reason.
For the last few years I've avoided* videos with thumbnails where the creator/host has an unnaturally large head and there is a primary coloured arrow pointing at something.
Before that, it was titles in all caps.
I guess AI pictures are next on the list.
*As much as I can, sometimes if its something I really want to watch I break my own rule
Such a shame that many folks would be put off even considering watching that just due to the AI generated picture. It had already appeared in my suggested videos and I had scrolled on by for that reason.
Just from the first 30 seconds its alot of AI, puts me off watching the rest
I liked the 'rogue trail builder', he had a proper Tolkienesque vibe going on, very Orc. It kind of made me wish the whole thing were a deep dive into the shady world of illicit trail-building.
I also always wonder if the ' legitimate concerns of landowners who were being put at risk of liability' have any foundation in reality. Has anyone ever sued a landowner after smashing themselves to bits on an unsanctioned trail in the UK?
I started watching it, and I’m sure it’s very interesting, but the narrator’s voice is very dull and I got bored within 5 minutes.
@badlywiredDog - it just gets in the way of their shooting season, some people often leave litter and we often can’t keep our mouths shut or post it on social media and too many people turn up and ride it.
I also always wonder if the 'legitimate concerns of landowners who were being put at risk of liability' have any foundation in reality. Has anyone ever sued a landowner after smashing themselves to bits on an unsanctioned trail in the UK?
Probably not. Or not very successfully, anyway.
It's the same with access for climbing, and is enshrined in the common law doctrine of "Volenti non fit injuria" - which is basically Latin for "If you take part willingly in something you know is likely to hurt you, it's nobody's fault but your own if something happens". It comes up quite a lot when trying to negotiate access arrangements with private landowners who get agitated about being sued if someone falls off, or a piece of crag hits them on the bonce.
I also always wonder if the 'legitimate concerns of landowners who were being put at risk of liability' have any foundation in reality. Has anyone ever sued a landowner after smashing themselves to bits on an unsanctioned trail in the UK?
The trail consultancy company who surveyed the woodland prior to our official trails being rebuilt told us that there are loads of these claims going through. Nobody can ever give proof of any actual cases though so I'm guessing that it's not true.
The council insisted on us having liability insurance for maintenance, but the wording made me very twitchy as it sounded as though we'd be liable for any injury to anyone in the woods. I withdrew at that point.
Forestry have a large number of cases where people are claiming against them on a regular basis...plenty try to use, I don't think many are successful (based on the assumption there would be a bit of news around it somewhere).
I'm not seeing too much AI in the film...seems decent. Some.of the sound isn't as loud as other bits but it is much more polished than the trailer. Seems pretty good to me.
Use is meant to be sue!
I don't get how you can sue Forestry if you crash on their built and maintained trails? Surely you use at your own risk, and the trail grading gives you an idea of if you can ride it or not?
I know FE at Cannock are deliberately dumbing down trails as to avoid being sued.
Made me want to want to move up there, I spend lots of time fixing up trails and can totally identify with the chap that uses trailbuilding, as a way to get pleasure out of the wetter moments in the year.
You can't beat the feeling of riding a trail that was once an overgrown, boggy mess after you have restored it to its former glory.
Mystifies me that most riders don't have a folding saw in their bag along with rest of their emergency prep. Maybe Peaty needs to do a special folding saw frame attachment 🙂
I don't get how you can sue Forestry if you crash on their built and maintained trails? Surely you use at your own risk, and the trail grading gives you an idea of if you can ride it or not?
I know FE at Cannock are deliberately dumbing down trails as to avoid being sued.
Negligence, probably, but if built and maintained properly it's unlikely you'll get negligence to stick. There's work to keep an insurer satisfied or not leave something open to claims of negligence e.g. trail erosion changing the nature of a track, unsuitable features or signing etc. A built trail will have some expectations of consistency or suitability from many users because someone has created it, creating means having some responsibility for it and that's where the duty of care comes in and why some would rather not bother with the risk/expense.
See also the Rampage threads for what the image of MTB can become and why trail building can be an uphill battle.
I enjoyed the film. It’s a shame that organized maintenance isn’t easier to sort out. It is satisfying to cut drainage channels into trails.
I also enjoyed the film, some real characters on there. However I agree with others that the sound made it a difficult watch at times.
Rather a sensationalist title but enjoyable enough. The trail association lads came across very well. It's always interesting to hear riders talk about 'trail pixies'. Shit weather is often a good opportunity to avoid a crap ride and get some work done. There's many a trail around our way that's gone in during a few hours of intensive work by a small crew while it's been pissing it down.
I enjoyed that. Cheers Illya.
I'm still kicking around the area if you're ever looking for some company on those roguish trails. 😏
Beagy
Saved this and sat down with a brew and watched it this morning. Really nice well balance film, thank you for making it and to the TTA team for taking the time to show the great work they do. I'm lucky enough to ride trails kept alive by the TTA and Ochils Trail Association and this has given me the kick up the arse to help out.
The OTA have a WhatsApp group that you may be interested in joining...if you are keen to get a bit more involved.