Route guides Lennox Forest

How to get there::Starting out from Low Moss Garage Bishopbriggs. Park in Low Moss Retail Park. Mutimap

The route follows a road section to the canal, which serves as a gentle warm up. Follow the road past the church, which has gravestones dating back as far as the 16th century and is very picturesque indeed. This road then leads down a short but fast downhill section to Cadder golf course where the trail follows the edge of the course and has a slight downhill gradient. The look of bemused golfers as mountain bikers fly by is a great source of amusement. After the golf course is a bridge with about six steps up and six down at the other side. While going down the steps does not usually provide too much of a problem, Fraser makes bunny hopping up, trials style, look easy

The trail continues along to Balmore, a small village en route to the forest; keep an eye out for the medium wall drop along the way. Cross the maiin road. Follow the short road climb and bear right past the water works and follow the road to the cross road where the cottage is directly in front. The route into the forest is straight by this cottage and up the highly technical and rocky climb. Most resort to pushing at some stage, but once at the top the visual treat rewards with a view of the whole of Glasgow. Climb the style and let the fun commence.

This is the prologue to the forest itself a short muddy section remember to bear left after about 400 metres and climb up the hill and onto the next style.

The forest begins by climbing uphill on some sweet single track which you can't help thinking would be better to descend, you will be rewarded with this pleasure later. At the end of the climb turn right and follow for a couple of hundred yards then bear left and follow for about 1mile where you will find a junction leading left. This is a good place to stop and gather your thoughts and for the extreme mountain bikers among you to have a fag before setting off again, remember saddles down.

Pedal for a minute then downwards we go rocky right hander has the tyres struggling for grip. Follow the trail and try to find the high point and stay out of the ruts, eyes are watering so its hard to see especially with the foot wide singletrack covered with a generous helping of golden leaves. Oops bear right nearly missed that one, more of the same until suddenly there is a tree blocking the trail, fortunately a well positioned piece of wood and chicken wire create a nice jump to play on for a while.

We really could be in the middle of nowheresville with the views of the Campsie fells just visible through the trees and not a sign of habitation anywhere. Continuing onwards more downhill singletrack when suddenly the track runs out, immediately bear right then left through the technical gully and onwards downhill on the sweet singletrack once more to the ferny bush where a left turn is required through the ferns.

Now for the jewel in the trails crown the north shore section awaits. I will not try to descibe this part as a picture paints a thousand words as they say.

Carry on through the gap in the wall to the evil drop of doom that no-one I know has yet attempted, however just as good is the descent and jumps that follow and lead down to the road section. Turn right and just the place for a spot of wheelie and bunnyhop practise before turning right back on to tarmac for the most arduous climb of the route. Grind away for what seems like an eternity until the barrier that leads back into the forest beckons.

Downhill for a bit then retrace your steps to the sweet downhill single track that had to be climbed on the way here (as promised before this is an enjoyable descent back to the style).

Again retrace your steps until you reach the next style at the top of the rocky hill but instead of descending hang a right and follow the trail, look out for the jump possibility where an old road crosses the path and then brake and look for a gap in the trees on your left. This leads to the disused quarry.

The quarry has lots of possibilities including some steep hills and some jumps that have been purpose built (see pictures). The steep hill of impending injury requires bottle the first time but once conquered is a great descent that makes you feel like a true pro freerider. Follow the edge of the hill round and you will be presented with a very scary looking steep hill with precariously positioned double at the bottom. Lots of comedy crashes have happened here but our man Fraser has it sorted. I bottled it, however next time it shall be done. Hats off to Ali for the amusing and very comical rolling endo crashes.

An alternative route from the top is available which encompasses steep sections and a couple of purpose built jumps on the way down to the double at the bottom. When entering the quarry turn left off the trail and enjoy the view before the very technical descent to the top of the hill preceding the double.

All that remains now is to exit the quarry (down and then to the left) and retrace your steps all the way back to the start point.

A great ride many thanks to Ron, Fraser, Ali, Shieldsy, Willie and Frank who come out riding whatever the weather and keep me in constant amusement with comical anecdotes, feats of skill and comedy crashes.