Just bought a new (old) mountain bike! Now need routes!

[Scotmitchy]

Though for most of you it will be classed as a bike shaped object!

it is a baraccuda T300 and looks about four years old.

I just fancied trying a bit of off roading, but don't want to break my nice Trek hybrid or risk serious money on a whim.

So, where should I go? i live near Falkirk, can anyone suggest good routes?

And are there places you are NOT allowed to mountain bike? Are their rules to the off-road I should know?

Ta

 

[Brandane]

So, where should I go? i live near Falkirk, can anyone suggest good routes?

I don't have any personal experience, but apparently the Carron Valley forestry trails are good. More info here.

I have cycled the canal path between Bowling and Edinburgh (which passes by the Falkirk wheel), your MTB will be ideal for the likes of that too.

 

[Scotmitchy]

Cheers Brandane

 

[GilesM]

Carron Valley is a fun wee place to start to wih for off road stuff, obviously the best man made trails are (7Stanes) south of you in the borders, and Dumfries and Galloway, or further north to some of the highland trail centres, but it is usually pretty easy to find off road routes in Scotland, the open access laws are very good for mountin bikers, here are details of exactly what you can and cannot do, fortunately there are definately alot more cans, http://www.outdooraccess-scotland.com/outdoors-responsibly/access-code-and-advice/soac/

Best to buy a few large scale OS maps the 1:25000 explorer maps are the most detailed and go and explore, great fun looking for good routes, and even more fun when you find good ones, also try here, some of their routes are pretty good. http://www.mbr.co.uk/category/routes/

 

[Globalti]

Buy one of these; you'll be amazed at what's out there: