Posted by Rob53:

So back from Whistler now two weeks and have to say that the riding over there is just phenomenal! The trails are so well put together and flowy that you really dont wanna come off the mountain even after a full days downhill. It was the first time I'd ridden DH in about 5yrs and when I did it was on a DMR trailstar so a hardtail.

Rented a Norco Shore and it was as if the trails and the bike were designed as a joint effort. I did three runs on the green trails to get myself into it. Not only are they pretty much for people who are completely new to riding of any discipline but they involve alot of pedalling which isn't good on a 7-incher. Two runs on the famous 'Crank it Up' and I was smiling ear to ear, its the smoothest, more confidence inspiring, show boating trail I have ever seen or heard of, you hit jumps you would normally not consider trying to walk over and just sail through the air at ease until the landing. Everything about the trail is just incredible.

Posted By Taz:

Howdy. I read your pieces on some international trails..well i have ridden in a fair few places over the years and there are a few that stick out in my mind. I started mountain biking in Glen of the Downs (Wicklow, Ireland for those not familiar) many many years ago and once I got hooked I travelled all over the country racing and riding in different counties. Due to study commitments I moved onto the trails in Scotland, near and around Glasgow, including the west highland way and up into Fort William...the trails there are just like here in Ireland, except the scenery is on a larger scale, but all the same colours and landscapes, and now their purpose build trails are helping the landscape hold up to more trashing, but these are manicured trails where as I come from a more natural mtb background, so i much prefer riding straight up or down or across a mountain.