Glentress &
Innerleithen

The Glentress Trailfairies FAQ

Why Come Trail Building?

It's a chance to put something back into the trails - show them some lovin'!

Learn some trail building techniques.

Have a say in what gets built. Some of the best ideas for trails come at 'fairy sessions.

Satisfaction - ride what you helped to build.

Can be a good workout - keep in shape, and not in a gym!

The cakes - some of the 'fairies are dab hands at home baking. No, really...

The chat - not all about bicycles, honest!

What's Involved?

New volunteers are always most welcome; no previous experience is needed. There's a Sign Up form to complete and an info sheet and risk assessment to read at your first time along. We meet up at 9am at the toolshed in the Upper Overflow car park (the old Osprey car park). After tools are loaded up we head up to the session worksite. Here personal protective kit is handed out, the plan for the session/risk assessment is discussed and tasks allocated to volunteers. We'll show you how to use each of the tools safely and effectively and help you develop the techniques involved.

Although the work can be quite physical, don't worry, the fairies ain't no chain gang! You can do as little or as much as you feel like and there are usually several different tasks to do. Can't make the whole session, no worries - any help is greatly appreciated.

For 2012, we've switched to doing full day sessions (9am - 4pm) so please could you bring along your own lunch and refreshments. Alternatively volunteers can opt to do a half day session as before.

What do I need to bring?

Sturdy boots (steel toe ones are best if you have them).

Clothes you don't mind getting dirty.

Waterproofs.

Lunch and refreshments.

We provide gloves and any other protective kit needed.

Volunteers usually use their own vehicles (sharing spaces) to get to the workshite, though 3-4 spaces are available in the FCS pick up.

How old do I need to be?

Under 12's - Please bring a parent or guardian along to the sessions.

Under 18's - Please bring a parent/guardian to the start of your first session to complete the Sign Up form.

Do the Trailfairies build and maintain all the Glentress trails?

No - much of the maintenance work is carried out by the Forestry Commission Scotland Recreation Team and contract trail builders (for bigger jobs). It's important to keep the trails in good condition so they are safe and fun to ride all year round. Your parking money helps fund our trail maintenance programme.

Work done by the Trailfairies has greatly added to this though. Their work in helping to maintain the trails and build new sections has been considerable - for instance, in 2011 over 21 sessions the fairies contributed around 1200 volunteer hours!

Trail Construction

Between 10 - 25 volunteers normally help out at each trail building session. Having this many hands is great as it means it's possible to build/maintain some significant sections of singletrack.

The beauty of building singletrack by hand is that a trail can be built much tighter through the trees than a digger-built trail, and features such as roots and rocks can be more easily preserved and incorporated. Add a sustainable surface to this and you get a trail that can handle lots of riders but also retains an "old school", more natural feel - the best of both worlds!

Some of the Trailfairies' past projects at Glentress include:

  • The 'Wormhole' trail (Black bike route).
  • Northshore trails at Ewok Village and Double X.
  • Rock and timber features in the Skills Area.
  • Secrets and Lies...
  • Race link, Andy's Flume, Shallow Grave and Devils Divot 'natural' trails.
  • The Pie Run and Mushroom Pie (waymarked short cut trail on the Red Route).
  • Timber trails on the Essentials Freeride Trail.
  • Zoom or Bust.
  • Magic Mushroom rerouting and resurfacing work.
  • Falla Brae black option reroute/rebuild.
  • Glentress 7 race course prep.

Trail Maintenance

Maintenance work by the 'fairies has included:

  • Resurfacing worn sections of trail.
  • 'Deberming' puddles and improving drainage
  • Building and repairing timber features.
  • Brashing overhanging branches.
  • Re-routing/rebuilding sections of trail.
  • Reshaping/adding features into trails.
  • Installing waymarker posts/repairing fences.
  • Clearing rock roll/loose material from trails.

Trail Conditions

Glentress- Current at 17th May 2012.

 

Buzzards Nest and Falla Brae car parks and access road are currently open.

 

Trails: All trails open except

  • The Black Route is closed from post 82 - 86 (Deliverance) and post 83-20 (escape route on forest road) due to tree felling operations until end June 2012. 

Closures apply 7 days a week

 

Wallrides section in Freeride Park remains closed (reopening date TBC).

 

Conditions: Good

 

Diversions:

  • Diversion on Black Route at post 82 (exit of Boundary Trail) rejoins route at post 86 (start of Redemption Climb)

 

More info: Toilets, showers and changing now located in Glentress Peel buildings.

 

Contact an MTB ranger on 07834 435380.

 

Innerleithen - Current at 17th May 2012.

 

DH Trails: All Open

 

XC Trail: Timber lorries loading on forest road from post 31 to junction near post 34.  Please stop and wait for operator to wave you through before passing.

 

Conditions: Good

 

Diversions: None

 

Today's Weather

Light Rain
46°F / 8°C

Facilities

Catering

 

Glentress Peel café is now open. For more information see www.glentresspeelcafe.com

Parking

Glentress has several parking options depending on where you want to start and finish your ride. The trail head is at the Osprey Car Park (see the trail map for details).

Day rates are £3 for a car/motorbike and £6 for a van/minibus. Short stays (up to 1hr) to visit the café/bikeshop etc. are now £1.

Toilets

There are showers, toilets and changing facilities at the Glentress Peel. Showers cost £1 for 5 minutes.

Bike Hire

Glentress Peel have new bike hire facilities operated by Alpine Bikes. Advanced booking is recommended. Phone 01721 724522 for bookings and further information. Opening hours are 9am-6pm on weekends and 9.30am-5pm on weekdays.

Bike hire is also available in Peebles and in Innerleithen.

Further Information