Cathkin Braes Commonwealth Games MTB Track – Review from a riders point of interest

Hi all here is my most up to date review of the Commonwealth Games Track.

I have now used the track five times over the last 2 weeks and before the track was started I had been riding the Cathkin Braes for a number of years.

On my last visit 20/01/2013 the Track is about 85% completed with something to suit every  levels of rider.

If you are stood in the main car-park looking at this sign The track heads off to the RIGHT!!!! as it seems that a fair few folk are getting it wrong.

 

A few meters from the start the first feature you will come to will be a small rock garden that is not listed on the trail map so can’t give it it’s  correct name!! but here is an image.

This is an small easy section that with a slow rolling pace most riders will have no problem getting through.

 

The next section you will come to is The first Listed feature on the Trail map Named Propeller Point.

This image is from the bottom looking back on the trail.

This section again most riders will have no problems getting through.

Further on you will next come to a trail crossing and the next of the rock section again not named. Since this pic they have put down a top surface to tame it down.

 

 

Again this is a section that most rider will breeze through with ease and now the fun begins as we pic up the pace in to a sharp few corners in to a short rock section pictured below

 

Just after this you pop out the trees in to a sharp left and start descending across the hill,

That done there is a short steep climb up to the start of the Double Dare (Dual) Section a 200m section of trail made up of a series of seven corners.

 

 

This section is a blast with the berms the small drop pictured below is roll-able or jump-able.

 

 

Further on there is a small bedrock section that is easy to roll over with ease.

 

After the bedrock there is two roller humps on both lines pictured below

At this point you have a climb back up (Clyde Climb) With a steep ending pictured below

 

 

 

 

Once you have got to the top of this climb you cycle across the open(Rest and be thankful) and in to the Feature Three line Corner.

 

First the inside line with the rock drops.

 

The middle line with one rock drop.

 

 

 

And the outside line with no drop.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just after this corner there is a split in the trail that I never managed to get detailed pictures of .

one split takes you over some small pump bumps “much fun” and the other takes you back up a short climb and down a hill with some step’d drops “Much FUN Much speed”

 

 

 

Flat out on said hill

Both  tails meet and take you round a small loop and back over the top and in to the Forest and along the bedrock (Broken Biscuits) section.

Now you will come through a section of small swooping berms(The Jock) with some small rock sections and Tree stump features that can be easily rid over or round.

You then roll in to the (Brig O’doom) This section is a tight twisty trail that run’s along side a 2 meter high natural  rock ledge.

 

Then over a burn and up a very steep short climb.

Then trough the stream

Out of the trees and over the (Boulder Dash)

Then onward up the last few rock climbs to the finish.

 

Once back at the car-park you have completed the 5.5k 2014  Commonwealth Games Cross Country Mountain Bike  Track. Give yourself a big pat on the back and get a few more laps in! Getting faster and fitter with every lap. And don’t forget if you should have any problems with your bike or equipment Freeflowbikes.com headquarters is only a stone through away from the trail at South Cathkin Farm.

 

I plan to spend a good few hours on this Trail over the next few weeks so hope to see you there soon.

I also plan to ride at least on night a week after work and would like nothing more than to have a few other folk to join me as it is still a strange place to be alone in the evening!!!

Please feel free to contact me at work on 0141 630 0021 If you have any question’s about the trail ect  or if you wish to join us on any rides.

Cheers for know

Stevie Morris

Freeflow Mechanic