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LEANACHAN FOREST |
Bicyclemania Cycling Code |
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Address
  Nevis range ski centre, Fort William,
Scotland.
Telephone.
01397 705825
Accommodation.
Fort William Tourist information. Tel:
01397 703781
Facilities.
Car park, Toilets, Cafe and restaurant,
Bike hire.
When is it open.
The X/C course all year - round. Ski
lifts open in May.
How much.
Free.
Events.
Winter X/C series from January to March.
U.C.I. World Cup cross country,
Downhill & Dual.
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A
world class cycling facility nestled
in the foothills of Ben Nevis, the
Witch's Trail has to be ridden to be
believed! "2.5 hours of lung busting
hell" was the description used by
the World Cup Team BUT not
necessarily - the Trail covers
forest roads, boardwalk sections and
single track with optional special
sections for those wanting that
extra buzz! Likewise, for the
beginner, much of the route can be
done at a slower pace and difficult
sections can be missed out. This is
a trail that can be ridden within
your own abilities. |
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TRAILS ~
Leanachan forest is in the shadows
of Ben Nevis, Leanachan forest is
located at the
 bottom
of some of Scotland's highest
mountains. At the bottom is a ski
station, there are 40 km of
way-marked cross country trails, all
signposted around the forest. This
includes a cross country course that
has been used in the past as a venue
for the National Points Series. A
brand new custom built 13 km
single-track section is used as the
backbone to most routes. October
2000 saw the opening of a brand new
downhill course. Forty cable cars
have been converted which will be
able to ferry over 250 bikes an hour
to the top. The downhill course is a
2000 ft / 3 km decent, which is as
close to World cup standard as you
are likely to get in the U.K.
~ OTHER RIDES IN THE AREA ~
There are many other routes in the
area and if like me you prefer
'circuits' then there is a beauty
that is about 20 miles of gentle
riding on a mixture of towpath along
the Caledonian Canal , the lower
section of the off road route
detailed above and sections of quiet
B roads. Start from the car park as
above and follow the lower section
ride until you get to the small
forestry commission car park. Follow
the access road for this car park
back to the A82 at Torlundy and then
follow the way marks along the track
to Tor Castle, turn left into the
woods and follow the trail to
Banavie and the Caledonian Canal at
Neptune's Stair Case. Take the tow
path all the way to Gairlochy then
follow the signs for Spean Bridge.
Along this part you will come to the
National Memorial to the Commandos
who trained in this area during
World War 2. At Spean Bridge follow
the A82 back towards Fort William
for about 2 miles until you get back
to the timber extraction road that
makes up part of the lower forest
trail. |
MINI MOVIE
'Witches Trail'
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The
Bicyclemania Cycling Code |
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Have a bicycle, it
helps!.
Always wear a cycle
helmet.
Ride with a smile, not
a bashed in face ..!
Expect the unexpected
because it'll never happen ...! properly ....?
Give way to walkers/
horses & be friendly towards other forest users, especially sheep.
Never ride whilst under
the influence of drugs, alcohol or porno's ... Boring..!
Always have enough
money with you. 'Duh', to buy Bicyclemania trailfinders a pint.
Footpaths are for
walkers only, ..... " you know what we mean "
Ride flat-out & attack
every hill, it could be your last ride, ever .. ever ... ever!.
Please do not drop
litter or fag butts, stuff'em down your shorts.
Come back from a ride
with a big cheesy smile and all your own teeth.
DANGER ! Keep away from
all forest operations like, S.A.S. special training op's.
...'Only teasing' .... |
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