Scotland 2011, part 1, Glentress

Finally after months of waiting and some agony (some mishaps with flight tickets) it was time once again to ride the great trails of Glentress.

The trip was made a few weeks ago we flew in on Wednesday the first of June and back home on Monday the sixth. This first part is from Thursday.

As last time we had our home base in Innerleithen, but this time at a different location, a ground level apartment by Go-Where.co.uk, including pick-up and drop-off at the airport in Edinburgh, perfect arrangement! =)

We were a bit worried about the weather, the forecast had been showing rain for the most of the time and there had been some bad weather before our arrival but the morning after we got there we woke up to this:


A few clouds but the sun was shining, perfect!

After a proper breakfast we were ready to get out to the trails, but first we had to get a bike for Anders who had arranged a rental bike from Alpine Bikes, apparently we got a 50% rebate for renting at Go-where and 30% on gear prices in the shop! =)

Ready to go!


Seems like some are cheating with 4-leg drive!


On our way to Glentress.


Familiar view.


Passing river Tweed for the first time of the year. Beautiful views.




Starting to get to the country side.


Anders seemed happy with the new bike.


It's about 10km ride to the Trails but the ride there is quite ok.


The dust cloud reveals the head wind...


Turned out there was a short cut so that we could skip riding on the main road! Less climbing too, felt like it anyway, only drawback was we had to pass behind the golf course but we had the helmets on! ;)


Lovely short cut, but thankfully one can't smell the sheep poo from the picture.


Time for second breakfast! :)


Time to hit the trails! The new trail center (some of it visible in the shot) wasn't open yet thought it should have opened a while ago. Well, there will hopefully be more visits.


The climb was still there had almost forget them. :)


Thankfully there were distractions on the way up!


Jonas admiring the views.


Not sure what Malin was looking at. =)


Some short cuts here and there along the trail.


At the first play ground, some had cheated and took their cars up here.


We kept on going upwards!


Forgot the name of the first trail we took but we ended back at the Buzzard Nest and at the start of the newest addition, `Berm Baby Berm´!


Niklas didn't look too unhappy! :)


Cought Jonas catching some air!


The surface was amazing almost like a concrete track! Pure fun and hard to keep fast speed!


Then it was time for lunch, I went with the soup of the day, but the paninis looked tempting.


Then we met some fellow swedes, they had arrived from Göteborg at the same day as us, they got inspired from our ride reports last year and they were not disappointed! Think they had made the Black trail before lunch! =)


Back at the Buzzard Nest again, Per and Niklas spotted a trail builder they got to know on their first trip, Andy (seemed like everyone was named Andy!)


More climbing, this time to the top, hard work but with views like this on the way up it's much easier!


Almost at the top, that's worth celebrating, the first IRN BRU on the trip!


Niklas spotted that we had left the bikes with even space between, the measuring stick was brought forth.


It's was withing a inch! :)


Per relaxing.


Picknic table was occupied by tired swedes. ;)


Yes! At the top! Let the fun begin! Spooky Wood is pure joy for several kilometers!


(Nice video found here: http://youtu.be/eb4B6OydWmg)


Took the black trail down to the Trail center but had to stop and take a shot of the view.


Every one was quite pleased with the day so far and we were all starting to feel we had been out all day riding bikes. Not sure who came up with the idea first but we decided to take a short ride to the Glentress Hotel and have a cold beer!


Do I need to tell you how heavenly good it tasted?!


We were not exhausted at all! ;)


Just a 10km ride back "home"...


Unprocessed burgers in evening light.


Almost back home.


After a quick shower time for dinner! We ended up in a restaurant called Fiko's Bistro, the large Calsone there should be able to make anyone satisfied! =)


Amazing first day! Almost like last time, felt like one could go back home and still be satisfied with the trip, but we still had four day left! :)

Just have to write how surprisingly easy it was to fly with Ryanair bringing your own bike, I almost feel bad writing something to promote them but it was just so effortless!

Thanks again for the GPS-plots!