Let’s start from the beginning. I have been to Scotland so many times, eight times already, but the only places I know by heart are Edinburgh and Glasgow airport, the Nevis Range parking area and of course the famous Fort William World cup downhill and 4X tracks because I raced there so many times. The way to Fort William on the windy roads through the highlands is already breathtaking but this time I wanted to see more than the World Cup start hut.
So my boyfriend Alex, our dog Merlin and I traveled with our converted Sprinter Van to the UK in April. At the beginning I was concerned about the weather, I was worried about how Scotland would be in April. Everyone I told about our trip looked at me and asked “why are you going to Scotland in the spring – you’re gonna freeze Helene”.
But we had the best time ever and we had the weather on our side. It hardly rained (maybe one week out of 6) and we were there before the high season for the midges started. So watch out for these tiny biting monsters and check out the midges forecasts when you plan your daily trips. www.smidgeup.com. Yes, you read that right, there is actually a midge forecast because they don’t like wind so you can predict where they’re going to be.
FORT WILLIAM
I took his picture of Helene on one of the many rock slabs Top Chief, a black rated trail in Fort William, has to offer.
We had not planned a stop in Fort William, as we wanted to focus on less known places, but as we showed up at the Glen Coe Mountain Resort, our original idea, we quickly realized we would have to rethink our plans after the friendly staff informed us they were not yet open for bikers.
After a quick disapointment, we decided to drive the quick 30 miles to Fort William, the big brother of Scottish bikeparks, for a few well-deserved gondola laps. And as a bonus, we got to enjoy (I mean battle) the longest DH track on the world cup circuit.
SKYE
As nice as it is to get lifted up a hill, we decided it was time to move on, and headed west, to the infamous, Isle of Skye.
This picture was taken on the Quaraing Traverse trail. A 4km long hiking trail that was apparently ridable on a bike. I say “apparently” because it ended up being quite the mission, there were a lot of very technical sections, and even parts where we had to carry the bikes on our backs. But the scenery made it all worth it.
Spoiler alert, the greenness has nothing to do with Fairy Tales, it’s because of the rain.
TORRIDON
After an intense few days of exploration on and off the bike, it was time to make our way back to mainland Britain, and follow the winding road north towards Torridon.
Torridon was another highlight, and probably the place that gave us the most “alone in the middle of absolutely nowhere” feeling. It is quite a weird feeling to be standing at the top of a mountain, looking down around you, and seeing no human sign, apart from the single path you just walked up.
GOLSPIE
Our next stop was Golspie. And that was a spontaneous one, we checked the DMBINS (Developing Mountain Bike in Scotland) website while driving south from John O’Groats. And read a review about the place and pulled into the parking less than 2 minutes later.
Me and Helene pedalling up the uphill flowtrail, with a breathtaking view over Dornoch Firth and the North Sea.
Thanks to Thomas for this masterpiece.
INNVERNESS
The Mast is located on the outskirts of Inverness, it was nicknamed after the sender mast that was planted at the top of it. Steep, and with short, intense trails, tight and slippery turns, we enjoyed challenging ourselves on the many trails this place has to offer.
Helene not looking shy on these trails, not really helping to make the steepness any justice.
AVIEMORE
For the best enduro trails, we focused our riding on the high burn side, located in the hills west of aviemore.
I saw this interesting-shaped branch next to the trail, and immediately thought it could be fun to try to frame the rider with it. Not an easy task as the gap was only about 30 centimeters high.
BALLATER
Heartbreak Ridge is one of the places to go.
We had an amazing time riding that line, the trail is a continuous rock slab, the whole way down the hill. Offers flow in some places and challenging technical parts in others as well as multiple line choices.
The trail is also an amazing scenic ride, surrounded by red bushes, very few trees, and unbelievable views of the mountains and loch nearby.
DRUMTOCHTY
The last stop of our trip, and the place where I took two of my favorite photos, Both from the same place, yet looking like two different worlds.
After a couple weeks of exploration, it was time for us to head south, back to civilisation, and the ferry that took our happy faces back to Europe, and the next adventures.
