Reviews for The Red Trail - Glentress

Summary:
Fantastic. Just the ticket if long black grade routes are a little much for you.

Review:
This is an awesome route. Glentress Forest is well equipped in every aspect. Parking, bike hire, toilets, showers, cafe. It's all there.

At first you're faced with a steady climb on forest roads but don't worry because before long you find your self on the more interesting single track. The route reverts back to forest road at times leading you to the next section of single track action, and even criss-crosses with the black trail at times allowing you to choose between the two for a short time.

The best thing I thought was how each section not only had it's own name but a personality and appeal all of it's own too. Some bits are dark and rooty, others were wide open and full of burms, bomb holes, double jumps and table tops. It was like there was some thing to suit every one's taste. You never climb for long before you're once again zipping through twists and turns either so it's great for those who'll easily be sickened by seemingly never ending ascent, like kids. Also the action keeps you guessing. It's not obvious what's coming next and no bend or bump is the same which is really refreshing.

The only negative point I can think of is some of the trail is badly worn by the amount bikes locking up their back wheel before bends. This leaves a series of shallow holes in the area where you want smooth surface for braking. This is common on well used trails. It's a maintenance issue really. Every thing else is spot on.

Perfect red grade trail. Lacks the big drop offs and technical rocky sections of black grade trails and won't take all day to get round it.

Summary:
This is the daddy!!!!

Review:
If Carlsberg made mountain bike trail!!!!!
When you ride here it feels and looks like you have left scotland and flown to somewhere like whistler, This has everything.

Summary:
The most fun trail for your effort?

Review:
The red route in Glentres is by far my favourite route, after the long climb from the bottom car park (or short climb from the top car park, which involves a climb at the end rather than a descent at the end) you hit a very quick but short downhill section that crosses water a few times an has some very fast and fun chicanes and loose sections. After this comes the last of your intense climbing for the day all other climbs are short or easy and there are very few at that.

reaching the highest point of the trail you find yourself at 'Spooky Wood' which is a smooth high speed trail with large berms and plenty table tops - the first two of which are topped with rocks. The trail unfortunately promotes speed and we have had a neck injury and several visits from the local " Glentress taxi service" (Ambulance service) However having ridden Spooky Wood about 60+ times (I ride there nearly every weekend of the year and yes I still LOVE it) the trail is much much better if ridden at a pace where things flow... too fast means more braking and pedalling whereas if you turn your riding down a notch you can easilly have more fun with less rider input.

It is possible to link up with some of the Black trail sections soon after Spooky Wood which cantain a small section of north shore and a really fun rocky descent - much more interesting than the Red descents here and just as easy to access.

The trails here are some of the best you will ride and make a great day out, the best part of the red trail being Spooky Wood can be ridden over a few times on a visit with a short push back up to the top of that particular section...

The trails are all well maintained and trail building sessions are held throughout the year to encourage riders to put somehting back into the site.

Highly recommended route rideable by people who have resonable experience and easilly the most fun/effort for miles. Oh and did I mention riding the trail at night is awesome! Lights can be hired on certain days in the darker months and it turns a great trail on its head for a totally different ride compared to during the day with slippery dew covered rocks and darkened jumps/drops!

Dougie Todd

www.darkside-images.com

Summary:
Great reward for a lung busting climb

Review:
Start from the bottom car park for the full ride or if you have not quite got the lungs start from Buzzard at the top. If you start at the bottom some forest road followed by single track climb breaks you in and then forest road up and passed the Free Ride Park - detour here if you are upto it and then just head round again and continue on , for first single track descend through Uncle Pete's Rock Farm followed by climb made up of single track and forest road to you reach Spooky Wood Single Track Switchback Climb which takes you to the reason for this ride. It all starts with the Spooky Woods Descend which is rough and bermy with banked corners, drop offs and loads to make you smile. It heads on down the mountain, through Hit Squad Hill, Magic Mushroom, The Matrix and there is an alternative route now called the Pie Run which is narrow, plenty of tree routes before you get too one last climb back to the forest road before your final decent back to the Car Park and the chance for refreshments at the Hub. There is bike clean there, great bike shop and great drinks and homemade cakes.

This is true NIRVANA!!!!!!!!!!