The Big Picture | Tweedlove's Triple Espresso Ride Out

Something very cool is happening in the Tweed Valley, Scotland; Tweedlove, the team behind the EWS are running a series of free ride-outs guided by local riding celebrities. The Tweed Valley is full to the brim with riding superstars, and throughout the series each will be showing off their favourite trails, it’s all free, and totally awesome!

The ‘Favourite Trails’ series kicked off last weekend, and for the opening ride it was to be the turn of valley resident Chris Ball, a true local (and global) enduro celebrity; joined by Andy Barlow and Ruaridh Cunningham. Never a team to pull any punches it was to be a belter, a 40km loop with 1400m of climbing; taking in three hills, three valleys, three top to bottom descents and most importantly three coffee stops! It was a day filled with incredible trails, breathtaking views, great banter and new trails for every rider. These rides define what TweedLove is all about, there has never been a better time to be a mountain biker.

To find out about the next free ride out, sign up to the Tweedlove Facebook page and get involved.

The first ride in the series was to be led by none other than Sir Chris Ball himself

The ride started as every ride should, with a good Coffee from the awesome No1 Peebles Road Cafe

Richard and Cat from Tweedlove made sure that everyone was caffeined up

The hosts; Dirt Schools finest, Chris Ball, Andy Barlow and Ruaridh Cunningham.

The action on Plora Rig was fast, loose and super fun

Mind that tree, mind that tree, mind that tree, mind that tree!

Trail centre trains down Innerleithen's legendary red route. Ruaridh is nae bad on the bikes. — Trail centre trains down Innerleithen’s legendary red route. Ruaridh is nae bad on the bikes.

Chris Ball had to throw in the Classic, steeper than it looks, it raised more than a few eyebrows

It was all smiles at the bottom; next stop, coffee.

Caberston Cafe is a haven for muddy bikers, time for coffee stop number two

Suitably refuelled it was time to climb up Caberston hill

If you raced the EWS in the Tweed Valley, you will remember these trails.

Nothing like a quiet spin out with 30 new buddies

As riders crested the ridgeline, the Tweed Valley delivered some spectacular weather

1000m of climbing in and spirits were still high

Andy Barlow soaking up some Tweed Valley gold

The crew about to slip into something less comfortable, time to spend some time going sideways

Full Gas and loving it — Full-Gas and loving it

Colour coordination to the max — Colour coordination level 10

There was plenty of Scottish dust in evidence

Local (Kona UK) shredder Thom Mitchell could not miss it, even with a broken hand.

Sideways, backwards, anything went in the thick mud

'Chapeau Tweedlove' — ‘Chapeau Tweedlove’

Words and photos: Trev Worsey

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The Big Picture | Tweedlove’s Triple Espresso Ride Out

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