To add to what others have said, cycling in the Netherlands is amazing. It’s flat, scenic, friendly and not everybody in a car is trying to murder you!
We’ve used the Hull/Rotterdam ferry a few times which is super easy with bikes and there was no additional cost compared to a foot passenger. We’ve only booked a campsite once for over there – the rest of the time we winged it by staying at farms/football pitches and a rave we found! People really have been that friendly to us.
Something I’d note is that we’ve had some very windy days, particularly along the coast. We found that because everywhere is so flat the wind carried and it was hard to find shelter.
In 2022 me and a couple of mates flew to Berlin and rode home through Germany and The Netherlands. Here’s a glimpse as to how good the cycle network is if you’re interested.
Ok, so Aboyne is on the list for the next trip and potentially a revisit to Drumtochty. We’ve discussed heading to Torridon in the past but always got pulled elsewhere. I probably need to do some proper research to explore the area – I know so many people have good things to say about it.
Thanks Hairyscary. We rode Drumtochty on a really wet day on a trip in 2021 and didn’t really rate it. On this years trip it was recommended to us and somebody said there’s been a lot of building work going on. Either we missed the good stuff last time or it’s improved since we were there but it’s interesting to hear it recommended again. Cheers bud.
Ah yeh- done the World Cup DH at Fort Bill but the wind picked up and they closed the chairlift so we couldn’t get back up to do Top Chief which was a shame. Seen good things too about Aboyne (it was a toss up between there and Ballater for us) but will try to get there next time.
I used to think I was lucky getting there for a weekend but now even ten days isn’t long enough.
Ah yeh, Cademuir is a fun spot too. We rode there a good few years ago so not sure how it held up after the storm last year? Any idea if it’s getting reopened?
Ah yeh, how good was Forbidden Fruit? I’d seen a few videos of it but didn’t expect it to be as good in real life as it was.
No, not really Mark. Just good to share some info on places to ride if people aren’t aware of what else there is apart from the obvious. I wouldn’t have been bothered about riding Yair had I not seen recent videos of it. Just trying to pay it forward. 🙂
Thanks @Stanley I’m glad you enjoyed it. There’s a longer version of the full trip if you wanted more!
I entered a 24 hour ride at Silverstone a few years ago and I chose Prostate Cancer UK as a charity to raise money for. In the end, the event was sadly cancelled but because I’d already begun raising money I arranged to ride around Dalby Forest for 24 hours instead.
I’ve read through your blog @Stanley and have full respect for your approach to how you’re working through things. Sorry to hear how things are and I wish you all the best. Look after yourself :)
I still need to visit Tiree. If it’s anything like the other Western Isles, I’m sure I won’t be disappointed. There’s just something about those places, hey? Enjoy the rest of your trip.
Ah, you found and watched the full video, Aide? I’m glad you enjoyed it. A few of us had a similar trip last September and hit some different places both times. There’s loads to get at – make it happen!
Thanks very much, Dave. I’m glad you enjoyed it. Oh for sure – there’s so much there to hit that even nine days will only give you a tiny taste for it.
I rode there for the first time last Sunday and really enjoyed it. I’ve got a couple of mates who ride it fairly regularly and have been on guided rides with Ed Oxley so know the area quite well.
I don’t know the area at all but I can tell you that we climbed High Brown Knoll from the south and descended towards the North West. We dropped a couple of narrow descents near the Smeekin Hill war memorial and then eventually headed up towards Stoodley Pike before descending west.
Apparently there’s lots of other off piste stuff to ride but we ran out of time. Hope you have a good one 🙂
I made a short video of our trip if you’re interested.
Thanks to those who watched it and enjoyed it. With the rain we’ve had here over the last few days and into the weekend, I can’t wait to get back to riding through dust like we had that weekend.
Yeh, fair comments about the lack of description. I was in two minds whether or not to post as I was conscious of sharing the exact location as I know that isn’t always appreciated by locals. The places are named in the video but I thought that was more discreet that sharing on a forum – maybe I got that wrong. At the end of the day, the trails are all on Trailforks so they’re not a huge secret – they’re at Dent and Setmurthy.
It’s a longer video than I’d usually make and I appreciate it’s a longer video than many will choose to watch. I make the edits for me and my mates and I was pleased with how this one turned out so I thought I’d see if anybody else would enjoy it. If anybody sticks with it, I hope you enjoy it.
El_boufador, I’m sorted on the Strava front but thanks for the heads up. A mate also works in the FC so I’m aware of the problems faced. He’s not bothered by the trails but bosses higher up are the ones calling the shots and who don’t appear to want to engage with locals, which is a real shame.
Sam, I wonder if those jumps are new and as a result of lockdown. Our local trails have certainly grown in numbers and been revamped over the last twelve months.
I know. Very strange micro-climates round these parts! It definitely wasn’t my wife stood out of shot with the hosepipe, getting funny looks from the neighbours!
Cheers guys. Yeh, so good to be back chasing mates through the dust…in March!
Haha, glad to be of assistance TroutWrestler!
RocketDog, the song is Weekenders by En Garde. The song was featured on a biking/mental health video on here a little while ago and I loved it. They’re on Spotify.
Thanks for all of the comments guys – it’s much appreciated.
Always been grateful to have some decent forest trails nearby but we’re also lucky to have this good concrete gnar too. Nice to see that others have been doing similar.
Can’t wait to get back to the roots and mud though.
You need to speak with my mate. He’ll sort you out – even with a custom design if needed. I use one of his light mounts that work with a helmet gopro mount and so does everybody else that rides in our group. Drop him a message and he’ll fix you up no problem.
As an alternative option to Gianiis you’ve got Florios. It’s busy, busy, busy and do the most amazing tomato garlic bread as a starter. I think they were ranked in the top three in the country for it. (Didn’t even know that was a thing?!)
Cowshed is a great burger joint run by a couple of young, local lads. Fantastic burgers, hot dogs and salads and all locally supplied. Great setting as well but you’ll more than likely need to book.
Both are favourites of locals and almost have a cult following, particularly Florios.
Really, Slackboy? Whereabouts? I don’t recall speaking to anybody else on bikes apart from at Black Sail Hut, but there were a few walkers I was pestering for football scores from 3pm onwards!
No, we didn’t have the opening song on whilst travelling up but we did when we came back from Fort William and thought it would be quite fitting. Love that tune!
The steep stuff was so much fun. We didn’t get on Date Night but we’re back in a few weeks so I’ll look it up. Thanks for the pointer :)
Ha! Yeh, having more than one GoPro would have made things a little quicker and easier. But with trail conditions like that, I didn’t mind having to re-ride sections! It was actually quite useful just to session a few parts which have caught me out in the past.
