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Am staying with friends in a flat in Edinburgh. I'm aware there's some kind of cultural event going on this weekend but frankly would rather ride my bike.
I've done Inners/Glentress Black before but now need 'blue/red'-grade-techy stuff for the other half (ie not too hard but not a tow-path either).
Does anyone have any suggestions of routes, trail centres or au naturale, which are in the Edinburgh region, or to the South? I'd be much obliged.
Thanks in advance.
Pentland Hills are easily accessible from town via the Water of Leith walkway. Some of the well-used trails are a bit muddy at the moment, but nothing drastic. I'd rate them as Green/Blue trails.
Southern Uplands Way is ridable, try from near the east coast to Lauder and onto Melrose.
Donb't discount glentress blue - a very nice set of trails
The blue at Glentress is good, it manages to cater for groups of mixed abilities very well. Fun/challenging for beginners and an absolute blast to ride fast for more experienced riders.
Pentlands would be a good option if you want to ride from your friends front door. Not particularly technical but nice riding and feels quite removed from the town very quickly.
Southern Uplands Way is ridable, try from near the east coast to Lauder and onto Melrose.
It is, mostly, rideable but make sure you avoid the carry up [i]loads[/i] of steps from Pease Bay if you do go for this.
OK cool, thanks for the suggestions.
So Glentress Blue one day. And by the sound of things Pentland hills another.
Wondering about trying to squeeze in a third day on the way back to Manchester - ?Mabie ? Kirrrrrrrroughtree or something. Don't remember being blown away last time I was there but that was a while back now.
If you weren't blown away by Mabie or Kirroughtree why not try Drumlanrig on the way home as Its a small detour of your route and loads of fun. Has Black , Red , Blue and green routes.
Second vote Drumlanrig - good old fashioned rooty singletrack, and quite close to the M74.
Mabie is quite a detour, and Kirroughtree is somewhere near Poland.
If you fancy another bit of a challenge you could try the Justice Trail in Jedburgh. It's a bit long at 40K but there are plenty options for short cuts.
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IMO when you come down Merlin Dean from Black Law your far better just turning left and heading back into Jedburgh. it makes the trail a bit more manageable in length and the loop you miss out is a fairly uninspiring flat slog round some woods.
The loop around Lanton Moor is ace and definately worth doing even though it involves doing a bit of up hill road slog twice.
All in all it's a really nice trail and a bit different than the purpose built Stanes.
Neil