I was going to ride yesterday but there was just a tad too much precip..and while I'm not bothered at all if it rains when I'm out there ..I hate starting off with it already raining ..so took another day off today and headed up to Kielder my local "trail centre" ..spent my time on the last section of the red "twist & shout" x2..then did the Osprey Trail ..which is a blue trail and in my opinion ( biased )..the best trail centre blue I've ridden ...spoilt only by the fact that the budget ran out before it could be completed ..but the link up forest road section isn't too bad and a new vista has opened up after recent felling ..where you can now view Kielder Castle from above ..
I rode the last section of this trail x3 times by taking the forest road from where it meets the Lakeside Way and climbing back up to the maintenance access track at the top ..a bit naughty

Anyway a few pics ..and the first one of a couple of lads who I met at Twist & Shout ..over from Cumbria ..
They seemed interested in maybe joining the forum ...
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The view of Kielder Castle from near to the Osprey Chick section ..( still closed ) Zoom in
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Why have I taken a picture of these trees ? ..well when this trail was first built there was a clear view across the valley to the Lonesome Pine Trail..just shows how time flies ..
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Fams Bridge & the stream below
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This section of trail just flows so well..from this point down ( Squirrel Nut Pines) to the Lakeside Way ..
If it had a few " features " it would be a " red " ..but so skinny is the singletrack that it would probably spoil things ..give it a try if you are in the area ..you won't be disappointed..
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