[Closed] Rock & Road.......... who's going?

Staying in Braemar in a few weeks so not there for this but was wondering if Glenlivet worth the drive from Braemar? I had planned natural routes in the Cairngorms but although the new trails look interesting , don't want to waste time driving if they aren't!

The trails at Glenlivet are a bit like Marmite, you'll either love them or they'll leave a bad taste in your mouth.

I'm kinda conflicted about them myself. They are a lot of fun but, in my opinion, not technical enough. They lend themselves to a more flat out, swooping style of ride. They do flow quite nicely and are quite sheltered amongst the trees (nice if the wind is blowing a gale). If you have time they could be worth a look, it really depends what flavour of trails you like.

I'm going, well I live 30 mins away and will be doing the 80k smugglers route, it'd be rude not too 😉
I've ridden most of the tracks and trails it covers at various points in time, it's certainly a lumpy route with only the last few km's on the actual trail centre trails.

I'm not a huge fan of the trails at the centre, they're good fun in places but a bit too samey in others.

[b]Swavis[/b], I may see you on the day then, I'm also doing the 80km route. Look for a black and white Cube AMS and you'll probably have found me......... 😀

I'm sure I'll see you, I'll probably have a green/white/black mlehworld top on. 😀
Not sure what bike to take yet, although if my fork and tyre turn up it could be a green Inbred with 29+ on the front. Failing that it'll be a blue Transition Bandit 29er.

I was thinking about it too. The site suggests MTB, cross or hybrid.... Fatbike might be an option then 🙂

I [i]was[/i] hoping to ride my Puffin, but it's nae here yet......

We were planning to take the VW camper over for a recce this weekend anyway, then spotted this was on. Will be on an orange Soul, not tandeming this weekend. Not sure whether to do the organised ride or just try out the trails there.
Anyone else camping? We usually wild camp but might be in need of a shower Saturday night if the weather forecast is to be believed!!

Rob

Apparently there is a campsite organised for the event.

See the latest post............ 🙂

still time for the Puffin if it arrives tomorrow swavis? :0)

Organised ride sounds about right, I'll be with swavis and others, maybe a VeloCake top on but more likely a jersey & waterproof !!

Should be on Kona Kilaeua rigid SS with frame bag..

Does anyone know roughly how long it will take to complete the 'brave' route? From the route map on Rock & Road website, it says it'll take around 7 hours.
Also, does it loop back to the start?

The Brave is 30 miles isn't it? At a relaxed pace it shouldn't take more than 3-4 hours (depends how fast you want to ride).
Strangely neither route finishes where it starts (dunno who thought that was a good idea) both routes start in town and seem to finish at the bottom of the Red route on the Glenlivet trails.

Apparently the riders are supposed to "enjoy" the 6 mile cool down (uphill) on the way back....

Did you all have fun?

I took the kids and they enjoyed it hot choc/treasure hunt with chocolate medals/pump track/stalls giving out free sweets. What's not to like?! 😆

One word, MUDDY!!!

I've heard it was rather gruelling... 😯

at least a couple of sense of humour failures yesterday. Wasn't the only one..

Well (excellently) marshalled, great signage, took in lots of stuff I didn't know about, weather held pretty well. Too much hike a bike really to be hugely enjoyable, boggy moorland follow your nose less than great, and last push up into the trees - purgatory on top of empty legs.

Sad to report picked up several gel wrappers and a sports drink bottle, no need for that, just disrespectful 🙁

Would of been interesting doing it on CX or hybrid 🙄

Met a guy who enjoyed one section so much he looped round and did it again 😆

It was a great day but the mud kinda spoiled it for me. Very difficult to roll, even down hill, when your rim deep in energy sucking mud. I must agree the final climb was brutal, I was cramping quite badly by that point and pushing up that climb didn't help matters. The marshalling, route marking and feed stations were very good. I'll be back again next year, I just hope it's drier......
[b]Swavis[/b], nice to meet you. How did the 80km route go? My coomon sense won out over my ambition and I finished on the 54km route.

Echo the above. Too much hike a bike for me. I'm old school like that, prefer to ride it than carry it!
Was in the Mighty, then my bike broke - enforced Singlespeeder - and had to do the Brave.

Don't mind a hike-a-bike in the great outdoors when it leads to another worthwhile section, or progresses you along the route. The steep hike-a-bike was back up to a point level with a fire road, that you'd spun down 1/2 hr before, for a section that wasn't that great.

Saw a couple of bust chains being repaired, and another guy rolling in to station 1 with a repaired chain.. conditions ripe for it.. single speed by choice here, just on the 8 hour mark (and all in by then, and then the spin back to Tomintoul), along with another singlespeeder

Is it just me, but it doesn't sound like much, erm, "fun" 😥