Comrie Croft Journeys

16/12/2024

Last Tuesday myself & Scott led the trail therapy team up to our (well my) favourite hill in Glen Lednock for a coffee outside. 🙏

This session was the culmination of 8 weeks of Mountain Bike Trail therapy. It had a bit of everything - and just clarifies why we all know mountain biking such a fantastic sport.

🚴Physical exercise
🌿Community & camaraderie in abundance
🚵🌄Being outdoors in nature & incredible views
💯Challenge - there is always a challenge, specific to individuals and just enough😉

All of this makes us feel good that 'buzz'. When we are outside riding our bikes, we're in the moment. And right there and then, that is the only moment that matters☺️

The difference in everyone has been huge. It's been a joy for myself and Scott to witness. I am looking forward to seeing where the teams wheels take them.

We will be running another programme in the spring.

If you, or someone you know would benefit from attending a trail therapy programme then please get in touch. Either PM or send an email [email protected].

09/12/2024

❄️Winter❄️
It can be a tricky season, dark and cold. We want the crisp, clear winter days but more often than not it is endless wet. I am trying to reframe how I feel about winter. I believe it’s nature’s way of telling us to hit pause.

❄️Winter has its own quiet magic.

Humans used to live much closer to the earth and its rhythms. Winter was a time to rest, reflect, and prepare. Looking up at the stars or sitting by the fire, rather than doom scrolling on a screen.

There’s something grounding about embracing that slow-down. I feel it when I step outside, the chill on my face, the crunch of frost under my shoes or tyres. It’s a season for cozy nights, warming soups, and looking inward, just as much as it is for brisk walks and wintery rides. It’s not about doing nothing, but about doing less, letting the season shape the pace.

This winter, I’m working on leaning into that rhythm. Whether it’s taking time to knit, plan next year’s adventures, or simply sit and be, it’s a reminder that the world keeps turning, and it’s okay to slow down for a bit.

😳Full disclosure - I don’t find it easy. Modern life is so fast paced, even if I am trying my best to slow, life gets in the way and keeps me going at a faster pace than I would choose. I work 5 days a week, those 5 days are often full-on and I could fill every weekend with stuff - big rides (Strathpuffer training), seeing friends (I have a list as long as my arm of people I want to see who I haven’t in ages), gigs (Comrie is amazing, there is always something on in one of the halls), Christmas parties, family commitments (aside from our kids the rest of our family live between 6 and 9 hours drive away).
To help me, I have made sure there are days in my diary that are blank. I don’t need to ride my bike every day, rest and recovery is important. Early nights, lots of sleep.

This winter has started well for us here in Strathearn, we have had snow, it’s cold. The forecast this week is fantastic. I am going to enjoy the daylight and embrace the dark.

What does winter mean to you? ❄️

29/11/2024

I wanted to share this film with you, by Rider Resilience. It premiered at the Kendal Mountain Festival and was released on YouTube this week.

Rider Resilience is a non-profit organisation dedicated to people who are going through a dark time or a difficult fate. All with the background of promoting cycling as a positive balance to such hard times. In the film, Nils Amelinckx, founder of Rider Resilience, shares his vision and his story.

It is a very powerful, moving and brave film. I did wipe away a few tears, so be ready.

It is the reason we deliver the Trail Therapy Programme here Comrie Croft

'Rider Resilience - The Film' follows the powerful stories of Nils Amelinckx, Rachael Walker, and Sam Rice as they navigate the highs and lows of their journ...

22/11/2024

Red Squirrels are thriving at Comrie Croft and the surrounding native woodland.

There was a time in Comrie when I saw more grey squirrels than red. This has changed in the last few years, I can't remember the last time I saw a grey.

The reds look a deep auburn colour at the moment. Their scruffy appearance is so appealing to me.

Did you know that they don't actuly hibernate. They are less active during the winter but remain awake. They sleep and rest in their dreys to conserve energy levels.

I will never not be excited at spotting one, it will always make my day if a red squirrel crosses my path as I cycle into work.

The day took this photo we sat in the hide for ages. Just sitting peacefully enjoying watching the birds and squirrels that surrounded us.

21/11/2024

Is it even possible??

❄Things to think about:

• It is really important to listen/feel/take notice of your body.

• If you toes are feeling cold, that's OK, if they start to feel numb then it's probably time to call it a day and go home. Warming up toes that have lost there feeling is no fun and very painful.

• Thick socks for the win! Thick waterproof socks are even better.

• If your feet are squeezed into your shoes whilst wearing thick socks this will affect circulation and actually make your feet colder.

• Consider going up a shoe size so that you can fit all the socks on your feet and wiggle your toes.

• Cleats are metal and can make your feet cold from beneath, think insulation on the sole.

• Check out 📷 2 - I once cut up an emergency foil blanket and lined my shoes with it to keep my feet warm. It worked but I only did t the once after the grief my family gave me!

• Put handwarmers in your shoes. I know someone that does this to good effect. There must be room to wiggle your toes.

• Neoprene overshoes - you will not regret investing in a pair, they are brilliant.

• If you have unlimited funds then check out the numerous online lists of 'the best winter rising shoes' they have all been tested and reviewed.

• If you do s***k the cash then think about how to dry them. We have a wood burning stove at home that our shoes go next to. I take out the insole, undo the laces and stuff them with some absorbent shoe driers I was gifted. They don't always dry overnight and I need to be at home for this to work - multi day winter trips - my shoes get wet and stay wet!

21/11/2024

Oh take me back to summer and ice cream!

BUT what is much more important about this wee video is that is explains brilliantly the hierarchy of the road.

18/11/2024

❄️Winter has arrived.

Temperatures have plummeted here in Strathearn. The high hills have a dusting of snow with more forecast this week.

In Scotland some of the best days on a bike can be experienced in winter. The bracken has died back, trails open up, the light is stunning. Sunrises and sunsets are easy to catch.

But before you ride in winter, you need to take a moment to think and make sure you are well prepared. If something goes wrong, with freezing temperatures and limited daylight hours, an incident, even fairly close to home, can become life threatening.

is an annual campaign that promotes important winter safety messages from Mountaineering Scotland & partners. Its aim is to provide the information, advice and knowledge you need to enjoy winter in the Scottish hills safely and responsibly, whatever your activity.💯

❄️👇THINK WINTER CHECKLIST 👇❄️

❄️What will the weather and conditions be like? ▪️ Plan your route. Check out mountain weather forecasts; temperatures can change dramatically as you head higher up into the hills and wind chill can easily drop the ‘feels like’ temperature down 10॰C or more.
❄️Have you got the right clothing and equipment for winter? ▪️ Be prepared for snow, ice and very cold temperatures - pack appropriate outdoor winter clothing, footwear and equipment and take plenty to eat and drink.
❄️Is your intended route suitable for your experience and fitness level, and that of anyone you're going with? ▪️ Make sure you have the right winter skills and experience for what you are planning to do.
❄️Do you have a number of options or are you set on one route or plan? ▪️ Know your limits and be prepared to alter your plans if the weather or conditions change.
❄️Have you told someone else where you are going? ▪️ Let someone know where you are going, what you intend to do and what time you will be back.
❄️Do you know when and how to call for help? ▪️ In an emergency call 999 or 112 and ask for Police, and then Mountain Rescue.

Check out these websites to find out more:
👉https://dmbins.com/campaigns/thinkwinter/
👉https://www.mountaineering.scot/safety-and-skills/thinkwinter

Search for the hashtag on social media.

12/11/2024

It's week 4 of the current MTB Trail Therapy programme.

The group are....

⭐Bonding, become a team
⭐Getting fitter
⭐MTB'ing is clicking

The progression is an absolute joy to watch.

This week they felt the 'buzz' there were massive Cheshire cat grins all round.

This is what it is all about 😊

25/10/2024

Becoming a MTB Tutor.

It is a long journey but one I am 100% committed and excited to be on.

Reflecting on the last three days assisting on a Level 3 training course. The highest level of qualification a MTB Leader/Guide can achieve in the UK.

It was a privileged to be a small part of the five students learning journey. It is a demanding award in every respect
- physically
- mentally
- psychologically
- skills & knowledge
- Leadership

It was a joy to share the trails with such a great group of riders who were so keen to keep on developing themselves.

I am excited to watch their progress.

Always thankful for the opportunity Jules Fincham Cycle Wild Scotland

17/10/2024

Every Thursday there is a wee meet on top of a hill for a brew and a blether before work.

It does mean getting up early. There is some physical effort involved. In the autumn & winter you start in the dark.

But this wee meet is often the highlight of many people's week.

It got me wondering why?

It is simple really. Being outside, in nature, doing physical activity & connecting with like minded people. Well, that is what makes humans happy🌱

Everyone is welcome. If you happen to be at the Croft on a Thursday you should go, you will never regret it😉

Ask in the bike shop for details😁

24/09/2024

🌱TRAIL THERAPY AUTUMN SESSIONS AT COMRIE CROFT🍂🍃

Let's talk about mental health and mountain biking🧠🚵.

I wonder where my mental health would be if I didn’t live in Comrie and work in Mountain Biking. I cycle to work every day. 20mins off road through a redwood avenue up 2 steep inclines and past arguably the prettiest waterfall around. That is my medicine. The communities I am in from riding my bike are my medicine. I laugh, talk & cry with my friends, that is my medicine. I consider myself very lucky to have this.

MTB TRAIL THERAPY is a 6 week innovative intervention programme that uses mountain biking as a tool to improve a person's wellbeing.

I have been leading Mountain Bike Trail Therapy for a few years now and I have seen first hand how amazing this programme is. I have been told the following from previous participants of the programmes I have run:

🌱“Thank you so much for introducing me to mountain biking. It has so helped me with my mental health and my battle with anxiety and depression.”

🌱“Trail Therapy has changed my life, it has done more for me than any intensive therapy or medication”

I know as individuals we can’t change the world. But if I can help a few people by delivering Trail Therapy, then that is my commitment.🖤

▪️This autumn programme is FREE and will be led by me, Emily and Scott at Comrie Croft. 

▪️It will take place on 6 consecutive Tuesdays from 10:00 - 12:00 starting on Tuesday 22nd Oct. 

▪️If you do not own a bike then, don't worry we provide bikes.

▪️Please get in touch if you or someone you know would benefit from this programme.

▪️Email me for more info: [email protected]

25/08/2024

DMBinS are hosting an evening this Thursday all about the HT550.

The fabulous Aoife Glass will be interviewing 👇

🚵‍♀️The speedy & super talented Kerry MacPhee
🌱The force of nature that is Davies.
& me, Emily Greaves.

Aoife is such a talented interviewer that you should come just for her and the rest is a bonus. I am nervous but also excited to share tales from the trail. We are three very different riders with three different experiences. I can guarantee plenty of laughs.

It's this Thursday (29 Aug) in Peel Tower, Glentress. Tickets are a £5 donation to the Scottish Mountain Bike Health Fund.

There will be some refreshments and I am making some of the homemade snacks that saw me through my first day.

This year saw the very first time that the HT550 had a 50/50 gender split. We wanted to find out more about the challenges and experiences of three of the…

23/08/2024

Fantastic MTB beginners coaching session today.

We covered body position, braking, where to look, cornering & bumps in the trail. There were sceptical looks when I took them to the pump track.... nailed it👊

Massive improvement from everyone. 🙌

It's all about feeling the 'buzz'😉

08/08/2024

👉GUIDED TRIPS🌿
💯You get me! Emily Greaves
All my chat, my local knowledge & expertise ....... and my suspect banter😉

👉SELF-GUIDED TRIPS🌿
You get all of my route knowledge downloaded onto a GPX device which you follow😁 plus notes on the trip💯

Everything else about the trips stay exactly the same.👌

07/08/2024

Bikepacking for the first time or even thinking about giving it a go can be quite overwhelming......😵

It is becoming increasingly popular, although the concept has been around for years in a much less-balanced form.😉

The kit is expensive and there is so much to choose from - where do you start? what if you invest in the kit and it is either wrong or it's just not for you?

This is where I hope to help 😊

I have spent years researching, testing, packing and re-packing my bike. I am by no means the oracle on bikepacking and the kit I have chosen for my trips is by no means the only option out here. However, it's not a bad place to start.💯

🚵‍♀️I have organised everything about the trip I run, from the route, to the food and the equipment.

My hope is that if you are trying bikepacking for the first time, then coming on one of my trips will give you a good starting point. It will give you an idea on what to look for if you are going to invest in your own kit or let you know if you even like it or not!

OR

If you are just too busy. Bikepacking is something you would love to give a go but just don't have the time, then this is exactly for you! I have taken the time, done all the organising, leaving you to just book and show up.

and........

💯concentrate on having a great time😁

02/08/2024

First time in print 🤩

Thank you to the team👊

Words by the fabulous Moore
Photos by the talented Pete Scullion
Intrepid adventurers
Stone Lindsay T'venture Aaron Taylor🤘

MBUK 437 is in the shops today! This issue is all about the thrill of the new – we head to unexplored (by us) territory in China, test six 2025 bikes, show you how to ace your first enduro race, bring you all the hottest kit from the summer’s shows and launches, join a first-timer bikepacking trip, take a look at Zerode’s gearbox downhill bike, and more!

📸 Magazine cover photo: Andy Lloyd Photography

27/07/2024