A Whole Week of Riding!
Following the huge success of the MTB Summer Holiday trip in 2019, this year’s residential trip was set to be bigger and better than before, with more kit, more time and more riding!
We met everyone at the Glasgow BMX Centre in Knightwsood and loaded the bikes onto the trailer, setting off in convoy, led by the new bus – the multifunctional ‘vacation station’.
Next Stop Nevis Range
The TrailCoach Convoy made it’s way North through scenic Glen Coe (another brilliant riding location!) towards our home for the week at Nevis Range.
Our four coaches and group of 12 stoked kids were in for a busy week – setting up a self-sufficient camp is no mean feat!
Heading North
Travelling through Glen Coe is always a delight, especially when the weather is good and there is a week of riding ahead!
Establishing Camp
We were greeted with fine weather in Fort William, ideal for the mammoth task of setting up our entirely self-sufficient camp – cooking, cleaning, washing and even bike maintenance would all be carried out within the camp.
Riders Ready, Camp Set, GO!
After a heated race to construct the beds, three large gazebo erections and an epic firewood gathering mission, it was at last time to head out for a ride.
First Laps
This was the first opportunity for the group to experience a taste of the riding to come throughout the week – we quickly geared up and made our way to the nearby blue trails for an easy-going warm-up ride. After a long day travelling and setting up, this was exactly what we needed before bedding down for an early night in preparation for the big week ahead.
Leading by Example
Heading out to explore the incredible selection of trails on hand, setting the best example possible by having a wheelie good time!
More than just a riding trip!
The residential trip is so much more than a mountain biking trip: the camp must be well-established and operational early into the adventure to maximise the potential of the trip and ensure we are safe, warm and well-nourished for the duration of our stay – especially with a high-energy output activity such as mountain biking and the potential for weather disruption.
That meant we had to work hard and efficiently to get all the components of living in-place while also communicating well to coordinate our efforts – members of the group took it in turns to assist with cooking, cleaning and gathering firewood to ensure the camp ran smoothly.
Following the initial setup, camp life is simple and rather enjoyable – the group ate, slept, and rode together as a unit and the bond of the group grew throughout the week. Campfires, guitar sing-along songs and nights under the stars are as much a part of the trip as the riding is.
Large meals were on the menu all week, all cooked in-house, with group members taking turns to be chef. Fuelling the group for many big days of exploration was a task the cooks took great pleasure and satisfaction from!
Vacation Station
Our multipurpose bus provided transport, shelter, staff sleeping quarters, drying area and even a mobile cinema!
Laps on Laps on Laps
Countless laps of the immediate trails were completed throughout the week, we were fortunate to have access to varying difficulties of flow trails, a pumptrack, skills area, jumps and some lesser-known natural trails, let alone gondola access. All of the trails became more enjoyable as the group became familiar with the features and challenges these trails contained.
Off-Piste Riding
Fort William is known not only for the World Cup DH track but for never-ending amounts of technical, off-piste riding. Those in the group with a taste for mud and roots ventured further afield to ride on the slippier side of things!
Big Days Out
Although there are plenty of riding options close to the camp, at the beginning of the week fresh legs meant that as a group we could conquer some miles and fully immerse ourselves in the amazing riding of the area. The world champs XC track provides a long day out and is perfect for challenging the group to be entirely self-sufficient for longer days of riding.
Masks required!
Face coverings were still required for access to the gondola due to the recent pandemic.
Lapping the Gondola
Lift access up Aonach Mor was a fantastic experience to challenge the group. Two days of gondola-assisted riding was an amazing opportunity for the group to experience the challenges of riding long, demanding trails. The whole group even managed to conquer a lap of the World Cup Downhill track!
The Start Hut
After watching many a pro rider start their high-pressure run from the infamous ‘Eye’ it’s an honour to be able to sprint out the same gate and enjoy the track… you can almost hear the beeps!
Hazzard Ahead!
Local hero Joe Barnes was kind enough to meet up with us for a lap down the Top Chief Black trail that was recently named after him.
Top Chief with Top Chief
It was an incredible opportunity for all of us to meet Joe, the ‘Top Chief’ himself, and get an insight into how he rides and trains for world events.
Joe is a friend of TrailCoach and runs all the same Endura kit, Hope components and Orange Bikes as we do. Cheers Joe!
Chattin’ with the Chief
He later joined us in the camp around the fire for a wee blether with the starstruck group!
Mobile Cinema
Our multi-functional bus (aka the Education Station) proved invaluable when the weather was poor – with the large screen at the front it was ideal as a mobile Cinema too, so we tucked into some snacks and let the windows steam up for a cosy movie night!
Chips ‘n’ Hame
The final day of the trip gave us more fine weather to enjoy a final lap of our favourite trails – we were up early to make the most of the morning sunshine before we reluctantly packed up camp. The group were well organised in their teams and made light work of dismantling the gazebos, the beds and packing all of the equipment into the vacation station ready for the long drive home.
Teamwork Makes the Dream Work
After a full week consisting of one of the most memorable riding experiences of the year, we simply can’t wait to do it all again next year!
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