Anyone done Golspie, how does it compare to other centres? Happy on red and black at Glentress, xc at Inners although take the chicken runs on the bottom DH section and red at Laggan, black at Laggan would have been too hard for me. How does the red and black at Golspie compare?

Thanks

Both Golsie sections of trail properly deserve their gradings, where 'Tress black is now a bit mild for 99% of the distance.
There ara a couple of tight bits where good low speed skills come in very handy, as well as the high speed open ground stuff up at the top.
Judging by your description above, you'll be fine on the whole Golspie network, just ride it with care the first time around and plan to do a second full lap where you can put into practice what you learnt on the first one.
Beware the climb known as Lactic Ladder, it deserves it's name!
Enjoy.

First time I went to Golspie I had not done anything harder than a steep forestry road. I had my eyes opened when I started to come back down from the top of the lactic ladder!! However I managed to do most of the black and all of the red without too many problems The hardest bits have chicken routes to the side if required. A couple of bits I walked round. And I walked up the lactic ladder. Its is far too steep and technical for my liking.
I have not visited any other trail centres to compare so cannot comment about that side of things. However last time I went we took a new to biking mate with us and he absolutely loved it and managed most of it no problem at all. Just watch your speed on some bits as you can pick up a fair bit of speed quite quickly.



Edited 1 times. Last edit at 19.13hrs Sun 24 Apr 11 by naefearjustbeer.

Might I recommend doing Balblair while your in the area, it's a great wee trail.

if Balblair hasn't been completely overgrown it's definately worth a visit. I went there a number of years ago and it was practically unused. A definite waste of a great wee course.
Golspie's a cracker too.

had a great day at Golspie today. Never seen it so busy, several groups of bikers on the go. Man it was hot.

Went to Balblair on Monday this week. It's all in fine condition and clearly well maintained. Personally I find the Balblair black needs finesse and technical ability, while Golspie needs balls (and I think I lack all of them!). They're both brilliant, but very different, which is why you should try both. Just don't ride Balblair in the wet!

Balblair is on my list of places to try sooner rather than later, Not sure I have any finesse to my riding though.

we went to golpsie this last weekend, the technical climb is one of the most enjoyable 'centre' single tracks there is, and i think the black is comparable with laggan. It makes me concentrate thats for sure. Golspie is a gem.

[youtu.be]
A very short clip from one of the very few moments when it wasnt lashing with rain on Sunday

Resurecting an old thread here, Went to Golpsie with my Gopro camera and was having a play around with different angles and have made a couple of clips that I thought I would share. [youtu.be]
and [vimeo.com]

oops
[youtu.be] try this I accidentally deleted the first upload of the crashes edit!



Edited 2 times. Last edit at 17.51hrs Sat 26 May 12 by naefearjustbeer.

ouch, that last hit looked like a right nut cracker.


Would love to head up to Golspie sometime to give it a blast I have friends who have highly recommended it. Works out at a 4 and a half hour trek to get there from sunny Dunbar, sounds like it would be well worth the trek though. Might have to make a wee summer road trip out of it.



Edited 1 times. Last edit at 07.46hrs Thu 21 Jun 12 by kill_reign.

Nuts were fine but I bent my finger so far back it dislocated itself! Still sore now and has no strength! And another crash next time I went [youtu.be] ! And a bit with no crashes [youtu.be] I have yet to try anywhere other trail centres on my bike, Any time I drive south it is difficult to go past Golpsie.




Edited 1 times. Last edit at 21.03hrs Sun 24 Jun 12 by naefearjustbeer.

haha, i meant the heid. At least your practising your landing and getting a good few in I see.

I for some reason had it in my head golspie was all exposed with no forest trails. Looks like great fun. Need to make it up before November when my wife gives birth.

The lower part of the track is in the trees but the upper part can be quite exposed, At least the wind keeps the midges away!

[youtu.be]

[www.youtube.com] and it goes in the snow as well!!