It’s easy to miss the North East of Scotland when planning a mountain biking trip – the Borders, Lochaber and the North West grab headlines but the hills of the Eastern Cairngorms are tucked away on the other side of the A9. Browse Catalogue . The bike shop is open for sales and demo by appointment: 9am to 5pm Monday to Thursday and Saturday 9am to 4pm Friday and Sunday. This amazing access right also extends to those on bicycles, including eMTBs. We're open again! As a reminder of his new role as a father, the words “Think about Brook." Deeside Thistle is a popular cycling club in the North East of Scotland. You cross the river 10 miles from its source, travelling back on the other side of the river to where you started. There are tough trails with stream crossings, hard … Scotland's Santa Cruz Superstore. It passes through Upper Deeside with its Royal and highland estates, widening out as the land opens up, supporting some of the finest farmland in Scotland. There you will find that hard-working volunteers of the Aberdeenshire Trails Association (ATA) have sculpted out some serious enduro gold, playing host to a number of Scottish Enduro Series rounds. Deeside Trail. Choose from island hopping by bike in the Outer Hebrides, coast to coast Scotland, or MTB tours in Skye and Torridon. Imagine how you'll feel off road mountain biking across Scottish Munros, immense loch's, heathry moors, ancient forests, great estates and wide sandy expanses. Lochnagar is magnificent to the west and stands out as THE hill to climb for visitors to Deeside. Cick the link to see them plotted or select from the links to the right to filter. At Deeside Inn we are located opposite Cyclehighlands where you can hire bikes from £15 for a half-day. During our trip, we stayed in the Glen Tanar estate. All the while, we felt like we were the only ones there, discovering a trail riding nirvana all to ourselves. Things to do and places to see in Royal Deeside, Aberdeenshire. There are a few peaks on the way; Craiglich, Blelack Hill, Sundayswells Hill, Craigenet, Hill … Adventure seekers and those looking for access to nature will find more welcome in Scotland than anywhere else in the UK. Like the area itself, you have to put a bit of effort in to get there, but the reward is more than worth it. Royal Deeside Maps. Time it for sunset and it will be the perfect finish to a great trip. Bernard and Martyn attempt the Deeside Trail in late summery 2018. Nestled between Aberdeen and the Cairngorms National Park, we offer mountain bike coaching at our local trail centres and guided rides across Royal Deeside glens and mountains or explore the Donside beautiful hills and secret gems. In a quiet rural location, it’s an excellent spot for families, or those looking to get away from it all. Simply put, bikepacking is the synthesis of mountain biking and minimalist camping; it evokes the freedom of multi-day backcountry hiking, with the range and thrill of riding a mountain bike. This is the most dramatic and isolated part of the route, cutting through the edge of the central Cairngorms before turning east for miles of rocky, rooty, technical singletrack. Our perfect Ballater break would be to take in the iconic Loch Muick loop, spend a day on the short but exciting trails of Glen Tanar, take a trip around the Green Mile and of course spend a day on the great enduro trails around Ballater. Mount Keen, the most easterly Munro, is only a stones throw away. Together with his young family and two crazy dogs, you will almost always find him outdoors. If your budget is more VW than Bentley we would highly recommend the Spider On A Bicycle cafe in Aboyne, the coffee is top-notch, the food is great and the staff are super welcoming. The ground conditions are dirt and rock, so good all-round tyres with a burly sidewall would be best to avoid pinch flats. Nonetheless, demonstrating that you can teach an old dog new tricks, he continues to hold his own against the wild and fearless youth. You cannot go wrong in Ballater; all the cafes we dropped into were welcoming and served up some great food. Perfect for Families. Starting on a bridge over the River Dee, the first half of the route picks out singletrack descents on ancient drove roads like the Fungle Trail and through Caledonian pinewood in the National Nature Reserve at Glen Tanar. Mountain Biking Ballater is the place to head for mountain biking! This map covers the Deeside Way between Aboyne and Dinnet and shows in detail the biking trails of the Glen Tanar Estate. The best & most popular mountain biking trails in Aberdeenshire. Find Adam on Instagram @adamwwallace. Mountain Biking in Grampian Trail Biking in Grampian. Deeside Bike Collective - Banchory MTB CAT 1 message Will Clarke 11 November 2018 at 18:06 To: Cc: Chris Mutc Hi Corrina, I just wanted to send you a brief e-mail to state that Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland (DMBinS) are fully supportive of Deeside Bike Collective and their Banchory MTB project CAT proposal. We based ourselves in the small town of Aboyne, in the heart of Royal Deeside, staying with our friends from Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland. Words: Trev Worsey Photos: Trevor Worsey and Finlay Anderson. All interests are supported from road-racing, time-trialling, track, mountain-biking, cyclocross and touring. Ballater and the surrounding area would make a great stop on any Scottish MTB road trip, with enough trails to easily give 4-5 days of varied fun. The area is packed full of big mountain riding opportunities in the heather covered hills and ancient pine forests. Full of Life. Hopefully our list of the best and most popular natural mountain bike routes, groomed fun parks and purpose built pump tracks below will give you some ideas. You’ll have 24 miles (38.5km) to cover by bike today, which will bring you back to your starting point in Banchory. View The Map, There are some routes that are made classic by their sheer perfection, and others by races. In spite of the fact that this route, associated GPS track (GPX and maps), and all route guidelines were prepared under diligent research by the specified contributor and/or contributors, the accuracy of such and judgement of the author is not guaranteed. The local trail advocacy group, the Aberdeenshire Trail Association, reckons that there are over 400 kilometers of rideable mountain bike trails in Aberdeenshire and some of these are real Scottish classics; day rides and multi-day epics over Munros. Map 3 – Glen Tanar and The Deeside Way from Aboyne to Dinnet. Please note, this trail is not to be confused for The Deeside Way. Speaking of the latter, the masterpiece ‘Mastermind’ is the trail to hit if you enjoy riotous cornering fun. This is definitely a route for a mountain bike, but you could use a gravel bike if you like punishment. With two dedicated bike shops in Ballater, equipment can be hired locally and trail maps are available in stores or online. From mountain bike trails to on-the-road cycling routes, cycling in Scotland offers you an opportunity to embrace the sights, sounds and smells of this lush landscape. Gradients are shallow and the route is suitable for cyclists of all abilities. Overall difficulty is 6/10, with 8/10 for technical difficulty, 7/10 for physical demand, and 3/10 for logistics and resupply. We were in a race against time. Banchory also offers plenty of trails. Deeside Way - Banchory to Aboyne mountain biking trail in Aberdeenshire. 14.7 km green dirt/gravel road trail. Ballater and the surrounding hills have become a mecca for mountain bikers looking to explore Aberdeenshires growing network. It had been hard work getting to the summit of the ridge, but we had timed it perfectly for the setting sun. The Tarland Trails are a fun distraction before some serious hike-a-bike puts you on a long ridge high above the Rivers Dee and Don. Bankhead Steading Fabulous Family Holiday Home in Royal Deeside, Aberdeenshire book now Our Cottage Your Scottish Rural Retreat Home from Home. Prior to setting out check current local weather, conditions, and land/road closures. The route is a mix of doubletrack and singletrack with a number of rough, challenging, and technical descents which should be treated carefully when fully loaded. Explore Juliana View New. We would like to extend our thanks to Will at ‘Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland‘ for his excellent trail chat and help in making this trip possible. If you prefer your riding steep and technical, a short drive will take you to Pitfichie forest. Its a scenic walkway and cycleway which follows the route of the Deeside Railway line. Ballater lies just a stone’s throw from some real Scottish classics, Mount Keen, Loch Muick and Cairn Luechan to name but a few, and is also home to passionate teams of local builders handcrafting superb enduro style trails in the forests. It’s not all easy going though, with payback in the form of miles of bog and landrover track before passing Ballater for the second time. Traditions are strong in the area; especially poetry, music and the Doric language, plus the villages along the Dee still host their annual Highland Games each summer. Learn More, As important as it is to have a reliable bike and pack as light as you can, choosing the right route is perhaps the key to your enjoyment. Whether it's teaching Brook to ride trails, hammering out gravel loops, surfing, skiing or canoeing, he’ll be there no matter the weather, like a true Scotsman. Hillwalking, Mountain Biking, Skiing, Castles, Distilleries, Highland Games There are many great trails and classic loops that start within a half hours drive from Ballater that will take you deep into the Cairngorm mountain ranges, routes such as the Loch Muick circuit which makes a cracking day out on an eMTB if you are frugal on the battery. There’s quite a bit of climbing and the odd bit of hike-a-bike, but to counter this, you’re rarely far from re-supply and a bailout route. Ben Avon and Beinn A Bhuird, two of the most easterly Cairngorms, round off a spectacular panorama. Explore Santa Cruz View New. Besides being accustomed to bad weather he's a specialist when it comes to steep and demanding trails. After some lunch in either the Brown Sugar or Bothy cafe, we would head over the road to climb back up to the ridgelines to the south of Ballater for a run down the rocky, Heartbreak Ridge. The Deeside Thistle Cycling Club aims to cater for cyclists from Youth (under 16s) to Veterans and all standards from Novice to Expert. Rob joins in for a day and helps keep us moving! The route aims to show off some of the best mountain biking and scenery in Aberdeenshire and Royal Deeside. View The Classics, The Bikepacking Journal is our printed collection of inspiring writing and beautiful photography.Find details here alongside a growing collection of web exclusive features... Have one to share? Instead, bike tourists are drawn to the more popularised riding spots like the Tweed Valley, Fort William and Skye, but that would be a mistake. Cycling and Mountain Biking. In this feature story, Ben Page offers a reminder of the value of getting out on shorter, simpler trips, instead of getting wrapped up in planning something big... Adam started mountain biking as something to do in winter when there wasn’t enough snow for skiing. Adam is normally stuck in front of a computer all day so loves getting out to be a classic weekend warrior. The estate is a haven for Scottish Wildlife with black grouse, pine martens, ospreys and crossbills, but most exciting is a resident pair of majestic Golden Eagles. If you love riding, Ballater should be high on your destination wish-list. Deeside Thistle operate regular club runs and other activities throughout the year. The Deeside Trail follows both banks of the River Dee as it flows from its source high on the sub-arctic Cairngorm plateau to the arable lowlands of Aberdeenshire in Scotland. The information found herein is simply a planning resource to be used as a point of inspiration in conjunction with your own due-diligence. The area around Ballater, on Royal Deeside, is perfect for mountain biking and walking. As we excitedly unloaded the test bikes in Ballater for our short-travel group test, we knew we were in for a treat. to support us & get The Bikepacking Journal. View All Features. Our trip covered locations in the Cairngorms and Royal Deeside, each within a 1 hour and 20 minute drive of one another War Memorial Buildings in Aboyne on the Deeside Way, part of the SUSTRANS network of off-road cycle routes. Mountain Biking Royal Deeside Trails & Guides Hire a Santa Cruz. This guide covers an area of the Cairngorms National Park, to the south and west of Ballater, as far as Lock Muick and Balmoral. This is a place for epic adventures, bikepacking (check out the Cairngorms are Calling video for inspiration) and multi-day explorations - the Deeside Trail is a good place to start. Instead, bike tourists are drawn to the more popularised riding spots like the Tweed Valley, Fort William and Skye, but that would be a … Mountain Biking in Deeside , MTB in Deeside: Look up for prices, request your estimate and find the best offers in mountain bike hire in Deeside and mountain bike routes in Deeside.Mountain biking in Deeside is the perfect activity for birthday’s parties, corporate entertainment, team building, social events, weddings and original gifts. The route can be done in any way you want, whether in a group, individually, fully supported or completely unsupported. It’s easy to forget Royal Deeside when planning a biking break to Scotland. Now he realizes it’s the perfect way to explore Scotland all year round. Read the new issue of ENDURO Mountainbike Magazine now. Racing men and women from the Club are respected throughout the country and have competed at all levels from Club events to the Commonwealth Games and Olympics. This is the best family cycling venue in the area. During our time in Ballater, we spent many days riding incredible trails, from big-mountain all-day epics to insane enduro trails that would rank as some of the best we have ridden. Mountain Biking. Start Here, Broadly speaking, there are three bikepacking genres to choose from – Multi-day Mountain Biking, Ultralight Race & Gravel, and Expedition & Dirt Touring. Terms of Use: As with each bikepacking route guide published on BIKEPACKING.com, should you choose to cycle this route, do so at your own risk. It had already been a long day in Royal Deeside, a day that had shown us just how much trail gold lies in this quiet corner of Scotland. This is the story of Ballater, a hidden jewel in Scotland’s highland crown. Map 1 – Glen Muick. Read more here. The only thing separating us from eating the restaurant out of poppadoms was the iconic Heartbreak Ridge trail falling away into the valley ahead of us. We provide inspiration and information through original bikepacking routes, stories, and coverage of gear, news, and events that help our community thrive. We’re all about riding in peaceful places and enjoying beauty of the hills. Some of the ski resorts also offer summer mountain biking. Our brands Shop Online. Visit this section to learn how to choose a route, and some insight into navigation. There’s only one small distillery in the area, Royal Lochnagar, but it produces a fine lightly peated single malt. Scotland is internationally recognised as one of the world’s best countries for cycling and mountain biking and Royal Deeside lives up to this accolade. Prices are expensive, but the atmosphere is authentic, and the food is sublime. The route follows the Dee westwards from Banchory where the Aberdeenshire hills slowly rise out of the farmland, 25 miles inland from Aberdeen. Cycle Highlands and The Bike Station offer hire and advice on where to go. Click the link below to learn about each. list; poi; map; Mountain Bike. The route borrows slightly from the Round of Alford by Gordon Watt and also overlaps briefly with the Cairngorms Loop route near Braemar. Despite this, along much of the route you’re unlikely to see anyone else for hours. Mountain Biking. As long as you respect the interests of other people, take responsibility for your own actions and care for the environment, you can ride almost anywhere in Scotland. However, little did we know that we were about to experience some of the best riding we had so far experienced in Scotland. Learn More, We have ~100 routes on our worldwide bikepacking routes map. Many of the climbs are sustained and can involve up to an hour of pushing. Whether you’re looking for a cliff-top challenge or a quiet day out in the countryside, the Cairngorms National Park has a cycle route suitable for everyone. With such a wide variety of trails on offer, you could bring anything from an XC bike to a full-bore enduro rig and still find trails to challenge the bike. If you enjoy road cycling nothing beats a ride through Royal Deeside to the Cairngorms National Park and take on the challenge of the UK’s highest pass at the Glenshee ski centre, head towards The Lecht and test yourself on what is recognised as one of the toughest, and … Leisure Cycling The Deeside Way. Clean, comfortable and spacious 6 bed, fully equipped converted steading (barn) Large en-suite family bedroom – a double and 2 single beds Open plan kitchen, diner & lounge King bedroom with … Home Read More » Fortunately logistics is quite easy with frequent supply stops and bail out routes except for the long section from Braemar back to Ballater. Braemar offers a chance for a resupply, before passing Mar Lodge and starting the mid section of the route. “What, all the way down there?” There’s something special about descending an open ridgeline, knowing that gravity will be your friend right to the valley floor. The erosion by ice and water left behind wide glens between 1,000-meter high peaks and narrow gullies cutting down the hillsides. The new Specialized Hotwalk Carbon balance bike – Start early! The Deeside Trail follows both banks of the River Dee as it flows from its source high on the sub-arctic Cairngorm plateau to the arable lowlands of Aberdeenshire in Scotland. Aberdeenshire's … Reviewing the YT JEFFSY PRIMUS JP 24 – a full susser for ambitious... First Look: Canyon Stoic – A new trail-hardtail from Canyon. From mountain bike trails to on-the-road cycling routes, cycling in Scotland offers you an opportunity to embrace the sights, sounds and smells of this lush landscape. 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