Mountain Bike Rider: Balblair & wildcat trails

Following the recent article we decided to take a trip to the north. Golpsie wildcat was first up with us going for the Black run.

The climb from the car park is varied and although ascending it is never too hard and always interesting. Once you get onto the black only section the rocky step ups do concentrate the mind but are all doable.

There is a wee shelter at the top and a small deviation to the monument is worthwhile before the awesome decent. It is simply great with a bit of everything thrown in. Plenty of rocks, swoopy berms, loose stuff, boards, twists and turns.

As it was our first time we went a wee bit slow over some of the drops and consequently hit the big chain ring. Thus manual drops would be a better idea with some speed to clear the lumps. Overall ace with an excellent coffee shop at the bottom to enjoy.

After lunch we drove round to Balblair which offered a completely different style of riding.

A fair bit of landrover track for access soon gives you height and then the fun begins. The rock sections are great to ride especially with the marker arrows showing the way. The rock has great grip as does the rubber coated boardwalks.

Some of the descents seem to be unfinished, as the surface was very loose and so a little slow in places. However it was handy at times to drop the speed as it does build up.

Again great fun and all rideable which is nice for a black run.

Overall I recommend the combination of runs as neither is long enough for a day. Also it is a long drive even for me in Fife!

Enjoy.