Am I good enough for the Golfie??

I’m thinking of giving the Golfie a try but am a bit concerned it might be beyond me.

To put my skill level in context I rode Innerleithen recently and found Angry Sheep challenging but doable and then tried Cresta Run and found it totally beyond me.

Anyone know how the Golfie compares to these trails?

Am I good enough for the Golfie?

Yes

There are harder and easier routes but remember you’re there to have fun and it’ll be fine.

Cake at the golf course is also very good.

TrailForks is your friend here – the Golfie black trails are generally broken down further in numbered sequence (1 being easier) so you can work out a progression. I’d maybe start on Plan B, Final Fling and Repeat Offender (bottom) which are short and easy to lap and then progress to New York New York. There’s also several reds – pre-Drinks, New Skool and Lower Wardell Way – which are worth a look.

I’m dying to visit the Golfie for the first time but I think my problem is that I won’t be able to pedal up. It’ll be a 6 hour drive for 1 or 2 runs.

I found it terrifying. I don’t think I’ve ever been so tense on a bike. But I managed to get down lots of stuff without incident so it was equally scary and satisfying. Bottled some parts. Angry sheep was relaxing by comparison. Hopefully someone who knows it can show you around so you can start with the easier stuff and build up. It was hot and dusty when we went. I wouldn’t dare try it when damp or wet.

but I think my problem is that I won’t be able to pedal up.

why not? There’s no need to do full laps, plenty of options just on the lower part of the hill. Or. . . treat yourself to an ebike for the day

Have you tried the Glentress off piste stuff ? Probably a bit easier than the Golfie stuff and a good way to get comfortable on those types of trails .

Sure you’d find stuff at Golfie, but riding for the sake of going to the Golfie you could have a miserable time of it.

Glentress off piste is probably wise. Or lap Angry Sheep / Green Wing until you’re more comfortable. Things can get a lot steeper at Golfie.

Once you’re comfortable on AS/GW, go along to Blind Date. It’s steeper than a lot of stuff at Golfie but if you manage down that you’re ready.

I paid for a guide to show me around. It was well worth it, as it is quite a big step up from Thetford Forest. But it is amazing for sure.

Vast majority of trails are way tougher than Angry Sheep, but don’t let that put you off. Just go with the mindset that you’re going to give things a go and try to improve. Accept that it’ll kick your arse a bit first time out and that’s fine. Frogstomp’s suggested approach would be the way to go. NYNY is relatively straightforward, but will get you used to the gradient. It’s long and physical, so just pull over for a break or two. Lone Wolf and upper Repeat Offender aren’t as severe as some in terms of gradient.

If you come across anything you’re not confident on, try it a maximum of three times, then move on.

Plenty of “Golfie First Time”-themed videos on YouTube.

Oh, and I second the notion that anyone worried about fitness should just hire an e-bike and have a ball. Plenty of hire spots nearby.

Oh, and the suggestions of doing the Glentress off-piste as a stepping stone are a good shout. Mast of Zorro, Ho Chi Minh, Dave’s Trail, Mud and Roots, Broon Troot, Mild Peril are a good place to start. Thunderstruck and Careless Whisper are a step up. Trailfairy Plan and Ponduro are pretty much Golfie-level.

I’ve been familiarising myself with the place for the last few weekends. On a hardtail. NY NY and Repeat Offender are totally doable. Wardell Way is really fun, upper and lower. Flat white was good. Underdog was ridiculous and not in a good way :-). But I’d like to give it another go. The ride up is a grind but it’s not really that bad. Just a bit repetitive.

There is more to the tweed valley than the golfie.  I’d check out the off-piste stuff at GT first and pay a visit to cademuir or Yair.  Cademuir doesn’t take much climbing.

Chill, you don’t HAVE to enjoy those kind of trails, you are not less of a biker.

I like to do them to challenge myself now and then, but I wouldn’t like to spend the whole weekend on them TBH

as it is quite a big step up from Thetford Forest.

Given where Thetford is I assume anything sea level is a literal step up?

You are good enough. Almost all the classic Golfie trails have no crazy gaps that must be cleared or do or die chutes etc. It can be ridden pretty slowly and steadily without unnecessary peril.

If you are used to, for example, Cannock or Thetford or Sherwood, you will probably be a little taken aback by the steepness, but they really do go – especially in the dry.

I made my second visit this summer and made a better go of it this time around, but still took a little bit of time to get my head around how you can get around a steep, rooty corner without going OTB.

The other thing is the sheer length of descent compared to 90% of english woodland stuff. We started on NY-NY and I nearly had to peel each finger off the bars individually. That was the last time for the whole trip, though.

Treat it as a challenge. Clean the climb up, muck about and practice your trackstands if you fancy a break. Take a good 3-4 minutes at the top to get your breathing right and composure back. Then ride and don’t beat yourself up or get frustrated if it doesn’t go as you envisaged. I made an utter plonker of myself on Big Baw last year. This year, I just went near the back of the group on that trail, chilled and felt like I was using whatever few skills I possess rather than chasing the quick lads.

There’s also no shame in stepping off to the side if a descent is lots longer than you are used to. If you need to shake your forearms out and stop the leg burn to ride at your best just do it.

I haven’t been this year which is sad but as it rides well in the wet, I guess there’s plenty of time.

From a climbing point of view, the best day we had there saw us do 5 runs.

1. One of the trails off the top
2. Flat White
3. That techy trail Awkward Litte F*****? back to town for dinner.
4. Waterworld
5. Feed the Pony

Doing it this way felt less repetitive and finishing on FtP makes you feel like a riding God 🙂 We parked in that layby halfway between town and Walkerburn.

It’s obviously steep and rooty, but well made so lots of grip and time to get back on the brakes after most nadgery bits.  I think most riders will be able to pick their lines down the reds and blacks if they’re not trying to chase speed.

For me, I get out of my comfort zone as the speed increases if it’s wet. I rarely stay relaxed on wet, rooty trails. I’m doing Vallelujah in a couple of weeks so fully expecting to struggle that weekend.

Just go. You can always bail off the ride if it’s too much then inners and GT are just along the road.

It’s generally much harder than Angry Sheep / Green wing. Saying that it’s easy enough to try some bits out with out having to ride to the top of the hill. Plan B and the bottom section of Repeat Offender should give you an idea if you want to ride further up the hill. If you do then Flat White is probably the easiest of the longer tracks. It’s also very easy if you (or one of your group) isn’t feeling it to head to Innerleithen for lunch and then ride the Inners side to build confidence on Angry Sheep / Green wing.

Hey Guys thanks for all the brilliant advice. I’m still not sure about it to be honest but my more gung ho mate is adamant that it’ll be fine so we’re off there on Saturday. I’ll let you know next week how we get on

Did you go?

My first foray to the Golfie was absolutely terrifying a couple years ago – I hadn’t ridden anything of that kind of gradient before only trail centre type stuff. Started off on NYNY and thought I was hot sh*t because the top open part and the first 50m in the forest were fun and manageable, but then the steep corners and chutes started and I think I must have walked at least 50 percent of the trail. Was hard to imagine how anyone could ride it tbh!

Flat White was better, but still felt like a whole new level of riding.

After a fair bit of practice I now do a fair bit better. Right Side Clyde is one of my favourite trails now.

My son (then 14) and I went a couple of years back at the end of a roasting hot week in the Tweed having got our eye in on Glentress off-piste.

Rode down the valley from GT, we did NY,NY, Flat White, Final Fling and maybe one other short trail, before heading to Innerleithen for an Ice Cream before riding back up the valley as it was 32C…

He was on is Sonder Signal Hardtail (140mm Pikes, etc) and we had to stop and have a look at a couple of bits and he may have walked on or 2 very short sections, not so much due to the steep more to do with the 4inches of lunar dust (suspect not an issue at the moment) and lack of grip.

A good time was had by all.

I wouldn’t like to spend the whole weekend on them TBH

I’d echo this. As one day of a long weekend of riding in the valley, it’s well worth doing. It’s a real buzz, but can be overwhelming. Driving to do just one day… Golfie is the last hill I’d choose out of all of them. As the second day of three days of riding, when you’ve loosened up, got used to the riding, but not yet knackered… perfect.

If it’s wet I find the off camber and rooty stuff challenging.

Also the fact that the hard trails are steep and technical with no flat bits for an interlude is challenging. I can never get my head round drop, into drop on a steep down.

I’m usually riding with my kid which knocks out the more challenging trails but plan to spend some time there with a guide this spring.

Like others say, if you find it too tough, it’s just a quick ride over to Glentress.

Also curious if the OP went

I’ve been a couple of times. Both involved a ton of huffing and puffing at the top of tricky sections and mentally screaming “get off the brakes” at my self when I finally commited.

I normally can’t be bothered pedaling sticky tyres about.

I’ve got the biggest stickiest shorty I could find in the garage ready for the best time I get to go 😀

I’ve got the biggest stickiest shorty I could find in the garage ready for the best time I get to go

Too pingy IME, better off with a super-soft Mary, Minion etc – or to recommend what I ride, Wild Enduro Magi-X.

Never had a shorty. I liked a Mary and the wild enduros.

It’s all good fun, just take it at your pace.

The thing with the Golfie is it changes quite a bit over time. The easier trails were always NY NY , Flat White and repeat offender . Flat White is closed just Now , NY NY has a new ending which is brilliant but trickier than It used to be . Repeat was sanitised and has a new mid section that gets rid of the tricky rocky part. Same goes for Right side Clyde the little drops have got more exposed and some corners are down to the bedrock. For fun the lower stuff on the climb is all fairly tame apart from Trevor . So lower Wardells way , 3g , repeat and final fling.

I tried to ride down Hangover last sunday and It was a humbling experience so Im certainly no riding god.

All the hills in the valley have their own individual highlights and no two are the same . Enjoy where ever you head and just stay to withing your limits . Nothing wrong with getting of the bike rather than a visit to the borders general .

Rode the Golfie for the first time yesterday, thought I’d jot down my experience. Spolier allert! I didn’t die.

Trails were probably in their ideal condition, dry but not too loose. Only saw a couple of puddles and a bit of water at the bottom of some trails. Not sure I’d ride there over the dark, cold and wet winter months, my balls are seriously undersized for that insanity.

I’m a general old school xc rider who likes the odd trail centre and riding local gravel, so the trails at the Golfie were a serious step up technically and their steepness.

I’ve been riding mountain bikes for nearly 20 years (god I sound like Guy Kesteven) but have been avoiding this place as steep trails aren’t something I used to enjoy, mostly because I was crap at them. That’s why I bought my Hello Dave 2 years ago, it was so I could try to eleviate my fear and give me a chance of actually riding steep trails, I hated feeling like I was missing out on all the trails I’d heard people rave about.

🤞 I’ve never been pitched over the bars of ‘The Dave’ to date, it has really brought on my riding since owning it.

I’ve ridden at Dunkeld, Aberfeldy and GT & Inners off-piste trails since owning my Hello Dave, so had been building up to riding at the Golfie.

I really enjoyed my first time there, was just what I expected difficulty wise but had never experienced trails that difficult which were so long before. I felt pretty beat up at the end of my 1300m of climbing and (more importantly) descending.

Another rider praised me for riding a hardtail, in hindsight it could have just been sarcasm after seeing me mince my way down the hill gurning away whilst holding in an inner scream, lurching the bike from one terrifying corner to the next.

Favourite trail was the Lower Wardell Way but enjoyed all the trails I rode.

So, can an regular mountain biker in their 40’s on a hardtail ride at the Golfie for the first time? Of course they can, just as long as you go when it’s dry, take your time and ensure your hardtail is as long and slack at an On-one Hello Dave 🤟

Will definitely be back at some point once my legs and shoulders have stopped hurting and I can properly grip the bars again 😉

PS, thanks to Paul (Singletrack member but never caught his forum name), who helped show me some of the trails and share his experience of how the trails were riding and their difficulty. Also to the other folks who I chatted to, who encouraged me to ride some of the other trails.

I think I was one of the “other folks” who chatted to you half way up the fire road climb, on a blue slash. I think you were going to ride one of the wolves after we chatted – hope you enjoyed it!?

I too am a regular mountain biker in mid 40’s and will be riding Golfie for first time, hopefully in a few weeks. So I’m pleased to read you had a good time, and also that you didn’t die. Sounds like there’s enough to go at but hopefully flat white will be open by the time I go as it might be some time before the chance to go again comes up

I wouldn’t worry too mucha about Flat White, lower Wardell Way more than makes up for it and it doesn’t take too long to pedal back up to do it again.

I rode through the golfie on the windfarms and forests gravel route last weekend. Watching the riders drop in just confirmed I’m a wheels on the ground guy. I can see why 85% of the bikes we saw were eebs, a 45 minute climb to the top on a non eeb can be done in 15 minutes I reckon so lots more runs to fit in the time allowed.

Did see one HT rider in a group of around 15 eeb full sus riders, not sure if it was a hello Dave though.

The ebike charging station in the cafe on the bridleway in walkerburn is a great touch though

I love the Golfie, and can’t wait to get back there in a months time. It looks like theres loads of new stuff to ride.

The first time I rode there was a bit of an eye opener. The length and steepness of the trails mainly. We ride Cannock mostly but venture out to Shropshire on occasion and it makes you realise it’s relatively tame in comparison.

One thing I would say is that it’s all rideable. I think 2nd base was the most tricky trail I rode but still got down it. I think “underdog” was a few weeks old when we went and was our favourite trail. It’s very steep in places but after you’ve ridden it once and know it’s coming, you can fly down it.

My main tip is to find some steeper trails around your normal routes before you go and just practice having more confidence in your body position, braking and the grip in your front tyre. But mostly it’s all in the mind! If you are tense, apprehensive and on the front brake too much, that’s when you tend to have a big one. Try to let go and enjoy, they are some of the best trails in the world IMO. Can’t wait again, the new “wolverine” looks ace. As does the new “Big Baw” sections! Excited!

+1 for trailforks.

The golfie is super varied, you have new york new york, flat white and big baw which are fairly flowly, then stuff like 2nd base on the other side of the spectrum

It’s a funny thing that New York, New York was built to be really tight and slow (apart from the middle bit)…and hopefully unpopular (builder wanted to keep it for himself)!

I was there last weekend on my hardtail. I’ve only just bought a full suss so it’s a bit early to say but I think I prefer my hardtail for the Golfie. But I am getting older and I think I might grow to prefer the big bike on the longer trails.

@dickydutch

Yep, we did meet, and after your much appreciated pep talk, I attempted one of the Wolves (Dances with Wolves, I think). Was a great trail and definitely one of the more flowy ones. By the bottom though I realised just how knackered I was and took that as a sign it was time to go, obviously I rode anothe trail or two down as I wasn’t going to waste all that well earned descent. 😂

Maybe there should be a T-shirt that says:

“I rode at the Golfie and didn’t die!”