Did a few of the 7 stanes over the weekend, Glentress – red route ok. Dalbeattie – nice trail, felt too rocky on hardtail, and mabie forest. The red loop was ok, ventured over to the darkside and was curious why its shut and if its planned to reopen? How come none of the nshore has any chicken wire grip on either (lethal)

was at dalbeattie at weekend and felt like there was loads of fire road. just rocky enough for ht 29 but disappointed at there always being some sections closed.loved mabie this time when usually find it tame. we were tearing round though in the sunshine.

Danny Macaskill doesn’t visit often enough to make it worth maintaining.

Surprised if it’s not to be reopened- forestry work impacted it a couple of years back so a lot of work went into reopening it after that- Vader’s Lair got a massive rebuild.

Usually when a trail’s permanently closed the signage will reflect that though, with northshore you get the “reached the end of its natural life” thing.

Chicken wire has it’s own injury inducing properties. Dark side is probably showing it’s age and in need of repair work that there isn’t money for. And I don’t think the FC are keen on that kind of thing anymore.

Loved Mabie on Saturday, radtastic. Sunday around Dalbeattie was great as well, just tag on the “starter loop” at the end of your ride at full gas and you will finish with a smile.

Three of us rode Dalbeattie on sunday morning/aft in perfect weather and trail conditions for a ride, one of the more demanding 7stanes trails to ride at pace and it’ll throw you off if you don’t pay attention, we rode the entire red route then some of the old XC stuff, widowmaker etc and as it was sunday there was no fear of possible forestry work.

As for the darkside stuff at mabie i can’t guarantee 100% accuracy but i guess it’s shut as the surface of the boardwalk may need treated to enable grip, chicken wire is horrible stuff and to be used as an extreme last resort imho.