[Closed] 7stanes - 1 a Day Nov/December

I'd skip Newcastleton and do Inners on the Saturday instead.

Glentrool isn't really worth it either unless you really must to the massive the fire road loop. You could replace it with Drumlanrig?

Thanks for the heads up about Newcastleton, a day at Inners on the Saturday would work with my plans.

Glentrool doesn't look fantastically exciting, but I've already got accommodation booked in the area, so will probably cruise around the loop as a relatively gentle start to the week.

Cheers, Rich

Hi turboferret

I am in a vaguely similar position, back from Brazil for a few months and getting some biking in, but I don't have a car right now.

That is a great itinery. I think Glentrool is underrated. Here are my photos

http://www.flickr.com/photos/simonralli/sets/72157625106190883/

What I did was to start at the centre, go up to the stane, then come back the other side of the loch. From there, you can then do the blue route. It is nothing special in terms of the climb, but I just wonder if people don't know how silly stupidly fun the bermy descent is to finish, it's an absolute blast.

Also, you can always add an 8th day and ride Drumlanrig. Horses for courses, and I have never ridden Newcastleton, although I would like to just so I can say I have ridden all the Stanes.

With Ae, see if you can add in The Shredder as it can also be seen as a bit of a hardcore XC bit of fun too, and can be built into the red.

Trekster and I are due to ride mabie some time too, so I'll see as we can add in some local tracks too, as the red will take you around 2 hours.

Si

Simon,

Thanks for the tips, much appreciated. If you could get yourself to a railway station in the general area I could collect you if you wanted to join for some of my adventure, will be space in the car - I'll be travelling up from Preston on the afternoon of Sunday 27th if that's of any use. We could compare notes about Brazil too, I was there for 18 months a couple of years ago 🙂

Cheers, Rich

Not expecting spectacular weather, but surely it can't rain every day for a week

Can rain for a month never mind a week 🙄
The Glentrool loop is a really big wilderness type ride and at this time of year will be a tough one on SS! It is pretty exposed mmost of the way round and will be soft under wheel making going tough. Add wind to the equation and it is a struggle with gears. Unless you start early you may need lights, dark by 4pm and earlier if overcast 😯 Make sure you have plenty of food with you and maybe consider starting somewhere other than the trailhead. Doubt if the cafe will be open, do a check.
Might be able to join you for Dalbeattie, Mabie or Ae.
Simon is out in the wilds away from Dumfries(not too far). I will pick him up if we can arrange something.
We will be night riding at Mabie on the first, cafe will be open that night 😆

Well, I knew I was being a bit presumptuous suggesting that it wouldn't rain all week, knowing full well that it might 😥 If it does, I'll rapidly run out of dry riding gear and may end up heading up to the folks in Edinburgh early - fingers crossed it doesn't come to that!

Good to know about the exposure for Glentrool, I'll be starting from Newton Stewart so a cafe stop half way round should sort me out for most of my sustenance needs, assuming it's open (must check) Update - visitor centre and toilets shut for winter, so will stock up with supplies first!

I'll be bringing lights so some night riding at Mabie sounds like fun on 1st. Could have the daytime off the bike doing something else I suppose, potentially trying to wash and dry my riding gear!

Cheers, Rich

Update - visitor centre and toilets shut for winter, so will stock up with supplies first!

Coald always nip up and stash some gear?

, potentially trying to wash and dry my riding gear!

Dry cleaners on Annan Rd Dumfies.
[url= http://www.cowansfarmguesthouse.co.uk/mountainbike_breaks.html ]or stay here[/url]
[url= http://www.wheresbest.co.uk/venue/38104/Saughtree-Guest-House/ ]or here? Danny & Marj will sort you out[/url]

Rich

Hi - I will co-ordinate with Trekster for one or two of these days for sure.

Just so you know I did not do the entire Glentrool loop which is mahoosive! This was an alternative route taking in some of the very nice bits of the loop and then the blue singletrack. Coming back along the other side of the loch also takes in some quite technical singletrack too which at times will probably be pretty muddy this time of year.

Dalbeattie also has some nice little local "secret" sections too which are awesome fun.

Interesting idea about stashing food at the half-way point, will consider that. Good to know about the dry cleaners.

Planning on camping most nights, but if it gets wet I may well take your suggestions for some accommodation with a few more home comforts!

Will be great to have some company for a day or 2, looking forward to it more now. Certainly won't be bowing to pressure from my boss to pop back to India for a few days that week!

Cheers, Rich

[url= http://www.marthrownofmabie.com/marthrown-woodland-camping-c17.html ]camping[/url]

Thanks for the link, I have a spreadsheet for my week pretty well populated for my activities!

Marthrown of Mabie is on the list, along with a timber tent for a couple of nights at Gorsebank. Also staying at Kailzie bunkhouse near Glentress and a few other campsites which are suitably located and well reviewed.

Cheers, Rich

Quick update on my 7stanes trip - I survived 🙂

Torrential rain for the first 2 days in Glentrool and Kirroughtree, slight improvement by the time I arrived at Dalbeattie. Saw my first other riders at Mabie where Trekster took me round during the day and again night riding. Was a bit chilly camping and the ice on the ground in the Ae Forest car park caused some concerns, but fantastic trails. Innerleithen and Glentress were enjoyed with a fair amount of snow 😀

Some pics are [url= https://picasaweb.google.com/100643584770977458378/7stanesDecember2011 ]here[/url]

Cheers, Rich

Rich - nice trip by the sounds of things, hopefully the rain will have died off by the time I'm at Kirrie in a few weeks. 8)

Some nice pics in there. Shame about the inclement weather, but it is winter!