So, bearing in mind its Valentines Day today I thought that perhaps I should incorporate some kind of coupley, loved up adventure just to keep people in the mood as it were.
What better then than going on a mountain biking adventure with your partner.
How many times have you thought, I’d love to go away biking but the Mrs just isn’t having any of it. She would rather go away to somewhere warmer, with a suitcase full of books and lie on a sunbed basically doing nothing. Well there is the opportunity to head up to Scotland and partake in a bit of tuition so that once and for all the “you can’t do it” argument doesn’t rear its ugly head and the “I don’t want to do it” one can take over!
Glentress is about 45 minutes south of Edinburgh with a variety of different routes to allow the novice to learn, the intermediate to improve and the experts to, well show off! The routes criss cross all around the Tweed the hills and there are over 90km of trails that ebb and flow off into the distance from the central Hub. There are flat gravel paths, monstrous drop offs and jumps and kickers with sections of routes so great they are called “Brittany Spears” (so good you want to hit one more time!)
The descent at “Spookey Wood” is a unique classic. You set off on a lactic acid factory up hill climb through the beech and holly forest to the start of the downhill part that you have just climbed up. The bank corners offer the high speed while the clawlike roots keep you on your pedals while the table top jumps offer the fun (or falls). For some other classic routes and worryingly amusing names check out the “Shane McGowan trail” (NB his lack of teeth…).
The forest and location will soon be well supported by the introduction of a new £5 million visitor centre which is being built from wood cut from the Forestry Commission land.
If you do want to actually relax a bit too then there is glorious walking as well as a couple of decent whiskey tour options too. There are several lovely B&Bs around as well as a local Castle to set the heart fluttering a little bit.
Just remember though that if you are learning the chances are you will fall off so be prepared and get your insurance cover sorted out!
Seriously though, doing something like this together may mean you can both enjoy your dream holiday together…rather than halfheartedly smiling your way through it and wishing you were with the boys!!
Tags: activity holidays, Adventure Travel, holidays, Mountain biking holidays, Scotland