Introducing
The Capital Trail
What is bikepacking? Bikepacking is a form of exploring the backcountry on a bike, fully self-sufficient. That can be on roads or anything you find to ride your bike on. The best way to do that is using ultralight bags that attach directly to frame, fork, handlebars and seat post, taking food and equipment to spend one or many nights outside.
What is the Capital Trail? Voted by Bikepacking.com as ‘Best New Route‘ in 2015 the Capital Trail is a 150 mile loop around Edinburgh, starting and finishing at Portobello Beach. The trail is the perfect challenge for advanced and expert mountain bikers wanting to explore the amazing backcountry around Edinburgh. As most backpacking trails it is not signposted, but riders can download the GPX file (GPS file) to follow the route for free online. It can be ridden as individual time trial any time of the year or as part of the annual event, held twice in 2015 and 2016. The Capital Trail uses dirt tracks, mountain bike trails, quiet roads and cycle paths to provide a two to three day bikepacking adventure around the Scottish Capital.
The Capital Trail story so far ‌ The Capital Trail was designed in 2015 by Edinburgh resident Markus Stitz as part of the Edinburgh Festival of Cycling. Markus has a wealth of experience in bikepacking worldwide. He is one of only a few people that have finished the Highland Trail, another bikepacking route in Scotland, twice in a row in 2014/15. Markus recently became the first person to circumnavigate the globe on a singlespeed mountain bike with bikepacking bags, cycling 34,000 km through 26 countries in less than a year. More information about Markus and his adventures can be found at markusstitz.com
The Capital Trail in numbers ❖
Capital Trail GPX file: 7,390 views & 1,331 downloads since April 2015 (all stats as of 21 Dec 2016)
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Capital Trail section on markusstitz.com : 7,279 page views, 6,328 unique page views, 03:31 min average time on site since April 2015
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Facebook Group: 228 members
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Twitter: 349 followers
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Mailing list: 327 subscribers
The Capital Trail video in English ❖
Watch time: 9,182 min
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Views: 2,068
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Average view duration: 4:26 min
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United Kingdom 51%
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United States 12%
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Germany 6.6%
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Netherlands 2.8%
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Canada 2.3%
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France 1.4%
The Capital Trail video in German
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Watch time: 2,144 min
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Views: 661
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Average view duration: 3:14 min
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Germany 63%
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United Kingdom 12%
Capital Trail - 
 The Event
Results based on a questionnaire circulated amongst all participants in October 2016
What ages does the event attract?
How do participants rate the event?
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Excellent 75%
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Very good 25%
Individual comments Besides the pure constant stimulation of the very varied trails selected, was the constant anxious feeling that you might miss your next turn down the next tasty trail! I liked this, it really kept you on your toes! (‌) This is also what makes it more complex and more stimulating than a 'one-well-marked' trail ride, which make up most of the other big rides. The long exposed climbs were fantastic, the course appeals to all abilities too.
More individual comments I loved the varied terrain; great distance; huge ascent; ease of resupply; simple-no fuss, friendly small numbers and I needed to navigate! The best bit of the route for me was descending Kirkhope Law at 7am with the mist beneath us, just magical. Comprehensive and varied terrain. Great mix. Need some good legs!
How likely are people to attend next year?
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Extremely likely 56.25%
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Very likely 31.25%
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Moderately likely 12.50%
How likely are they to recommend it to friends or family?
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Extremely likely 81.25%
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Very likely 18.75%
Was the Capital Trail the first bikepacking event?
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Yes 56.25%
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No 43.75%
Future plans ❖
Next event 3/4 June 2017
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Ongoing improvement of the route
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Local business engagement
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Bikepacking courses
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Capital Trail web portal/app
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Bike and kit hire service
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Printed guide and maps
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Merchandise
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Targeted marketing
The Future - The Central Belter The Central Belter will be a longer, even more demanding and adventurous multi-day bikepacking route, incorporating most of the Capital Trail, while extending through West Lothian, Stirlingshire, Perthshire and Fife. The appr. 400 - 500 mile route is planned to be finished by April/ May 2017 and will be a unique combination of urban and backcountry riding.
Useful links ❖
2016 Video in English: youtu.be/7JRsjc3YGo8
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2016 Video in German: youtu.be/klnj1F6S42s
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Picture Collection: www.flickr.com
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Twitter: twitter.com/capitaltrail
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Facebook: www.facebook.com
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GPX download: www.gpsies.com
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Website: markusstitz.com/capital-trail
If you would like to get involved, please contact mail@markusstitz.com +44 789 5250508