Planning a much needed day out on the bikes with a mate I haven't seen in years and trying to decide between Heartbreak Ridge or Tarland Trails.
He's been to both and happy for me to choose. I've been to neither, despite being somewhat local (if you can consider Aberdeen City local).
HBR is obviously the more epic ride, but it's a long big climb for not much descending time. There are other trails nearby too though.
TT would mean more runs but is man made and potentially quite busy. Looks great fun though.
Both have been on my to do list for a while.
So as per title, WWSTWD?
Morning at Tarland, lunch in Ballater, Mastermind and HBR in the afternoon.
HBR is my favourite trail, if you like chunky rocky stuff you'll like it. There's a couple of bits to look out for, the steep slab that's also a corner and a bit further along there's a wee drop that I've seen catch people out of you don't know where it is.
Tarland is good with lots of trails to choose from, if you like flowy stuff it's very good.
I'm a bit north of you and about 90 minutes from either and would be happy with either but depends on the mood I'm in.
HBR is my favourite trail, if you like chunky rocky stuff you'll like it. There's a couple of bits to look out for, the steep slab that's also a corner and a bit further along there's a wee drop that I've seen catch people out of you don't know where it is.
Tarland is good with lots of trails to choose from, if you like flowy stuff it's very good.
I'm a bit north of you and about 90 minutes from either and would be happy with either but depends on the mood I'm in.
I do like the chunky stuff and really want to ride the slabs but also looking to squeeze as much into a day as possible.
I think I've watched that many HBR videos that I've almost committed it to memory, so I know the two bits you're talking about. It's more the climb I'm worried about, especially as my mate is a super fit TT racer 😀
The climb is crap to be honest but it's easy fire road for a lot of it. If you want as much downhill rather than climbing I'd say head to tarland as some of the trails you can easily session
Heartbreak ridge is a classic, if you've not ridden it then you should. The climb isn't that bad, it's just a ballache.
Mastermind and ET running into Rollercoaster are well worth riding while in Ballater - I don't doubt that there's tons more to enjoy too.
Appreciate the replies.
My heart, if you pardon the pun, does say HBR.
The other thing to add is I'll be on my hardtail (140mm Trek Roscoe 9) as I no longer have a full suss.
I though Tarland was a bit meh but happy to admit I don't really enjoy that type of riding, so would pick HBR over Tarland any day of the week. Mastermind is also a brilliant trail and easy to find.
@sillyoldman any pointers on where ET & Rollercoaster might be found, I'm in Ballater next year. Ta
They’re on the same side of the Dee as Mastermind, but further east. Can access them from the carpark on the road to the Lecht. We found them from maps on Strava. Lovely!
I got bored after a while at tarland as it ended up a bit samesy after a while. A berm and another berm oh look another berm. Fine if thats you're thing but not for me
@sillyoldman thanks, I shall have a good look on Strava before going. We were supposed to go in May this year but I broke my wrist so didn't make it, so can't wait to go back.
Lightning bolt . followed by Heart break ridge and then be finished at mastermind.. Save Tarland as you will be sleepy after these three .
I agree with comments re Tarland, IMO it's nice enough for a quick ride but very samey and I got bored very quickly. HBR would be my choice or some of the steep techy stuff in the woods at Aboyne.
The other thing to add is I'll be on my hardtail (140mm Trek Roscoe 9) as I no longer have a full suss
I did Heartbreak Ridge on a 140mm hardail - it was perfect, really great fun.
some of the steep techy stuff in the woods at Aboyne.
Masterblaster is brilliant. And just on the limit of what I felt happy to do on my hardtail.
I was planning on heading up that way next week, but things have changed. Never ridden Tarland, but HBR was so wonderful that would take priority for me (combine with mastermind). HBR is probably my favourite trail. Tarland was also part of my plans
Spoke to my mate and we're going to do HBR on Sunday 26th. We'll see how things go for time for doing the other nearby trails.
Can't wait!🤩
I like Tarland. Been a few times.
But I would take the local natural trails over it every time.
Both are pretty good options to be fair. I would probably be making a call on it depending on the weather as heartbreak ain’t much fun in a blowing gale and rain whereas tarland is not to bad.
I do enjoy tarland for the trails but definitely not my ideal riding. There’s a good few trails you will pass on the climb up to heartbreak in the woods at the mast. There’s climb up is a push unless your stupidity fit but the trails were great when I was up last month.
any pointers on where ET & Rollercoaster might be found, I'm in Ballater next year. Ta
Here you go...
https://strava.app.link/XEargxYKuXb
And just in case you're in any doubt if they are any good, here's my notes:
Impeccable. Just what we'd been looking for. Lovely loamy, rooty singletrack through gorgeous Scots pine trees.
The blue uphill is brilliant. Techy, but not too hard.
ET has some nice slsbby bits. ROLLER Coaster lives up to its name and Up and Down has some great sections.
Did the orphan slab at the top to the right. Not sure what the faint track below it is like. Will check it out.
The green tracks by the Lochans are pretty nice to
o
This is the little slab mentioned in my waffle...
And this is hbr
.
And the slog up.....
Great photos! The bonus slab looks fun!
I was just looking at the weather lookahead on Metcheck and it's saying rain/sleet and 25mph winds for 26th. Hopefully that won't be the case.
Rode both last summer for the first time, and made a thing. Fairly pedestrian down both but I was riding solo and blind (had absolutely no idea what to expect from Mastermind).