[Closed] AE or Mabie

If you're going to stick to the normal waymarked trails, then Mabie. It's pretty varied if short.
I only really enjoy one bit of Ae

I don't think I have time to look for alternative routes although a bit of exploring isn't out of the question if it is easy to find. Not scared of a hill climb but the weather is wet my clothing is dull and my bike XC so we won't be going looking for the latest in steep enduro gnarr.

I don't think I have time to look for alternative routes although a bit of exploring isn't out of the question if it is easy to find. Not scared of a hill climb but the weather is wet my clothing is dull and my bike XC so we won't be going looking for the latest in steep enduro gnarr.

I'd say Ae is best enjoyed with a fairly substantial bike, less XC more trail IMO. Mabie will be fine XC. I wouldn't rule out Drumlanrig though, the most XC out of them all, its seems to have its own micro climate less effected by the weather and yes there are roots but not that many. And I'd say Dalbeattie is fine XC wise too, the big rock features have alternate lines.

I remembered Ae being rubbish but we stopped by there on the way past last summer and it was great. A really enjoyable ride with lots of new bits which bypassed massive fire-road slogs etc.

Mabie I've not done for years so interested to hear about whether its worth a return trip if I'm in the area...

Lots of good natural stuff at Mabie that's perfectly ridable on an XC bike. Dalbeattie is closer to Mabie than Mabie is to Ae (if you follow) so if I was going to do two I'd do that.

Not ridden Ae.
Mabie is not too challenging & is enjoyable. Very nice bit of descent towards the end which may not be you cup of tea.
Dalbeatie should fit the bill tho as quite xc except the interesting bits of rock all of which can be bypassed to meet your requirements. Nice cafe too.

Do Mabie and then Dalbeattie and then go for a pint and food in the Anchor in Kippford.

For the trailcentres alone, Mabie, on account of Mabie is good albeit a bit short, while Ae is shite and long.

OTOH Ae's offpiste and DH is absolutely fantastic. I'll never ride the trailcentre lap there again but as a base for other riding it's grand. And not hard to explore, you can access the dh and various easy to find offpistes just by spinning up the uplift road, which is long and boring but simple. But if that's not what you're after then no, not Ae.

And yes Drumlanrig. Actually Drum and Mabie make a pretty nice double act.

Mabie and Dalbeattie

Might depend on your riding partners ability I would guess from your comment re Dalbeattie

You have to put Northwinds comments re Ae into context, he appears to spend most of his time riding off piste/natural/Enduro trails in the Tweed Valley ie GT & Inners. Not been to either for 3 or 4 years, find enough to keep me happy on the D&G trails. 😆

Dare I mention the "S" word 😕 You can find most of the Enduro trails on there 🙄

All depends on your travel arrangements and time you have? Ae and Mabie. Dalbeattie is another 1/2hr west.
Cafes at Dalbeattie just out of the back of the forest near the toilet block and behind the house there. Brambles(Jemma formerly of Mabie) Mabie House is your only option at Mabie.
Doing Ae last you get a bike shop, cafe and can have a shower to finish.

Being a D& G resident I am as biased towards our trails as some are to the Tweed Valley 😉

Given the forecast and the covering of snow on the hills near Ae the Enduro trails will be a bit sloppy!!!

Trekster - Member

You have to put Northwinds comments re Ae into context, he appears to spend most of his time riding off piste/natural/Enduro trails in the Tweed Valley ie GT & Inners.

There's a bit of truth in that though I do ride all over, but I'd not done any of that first time I went to ae, and I thought it was pretty rubbish then too. Really find it hard to see what anyone sees in its red, especially with Mabie, Dalbeattie and Drum so nearby and KT not much further.

The first climb and the Edge are both great though. And it's a nice place in general, down around the river is lovely, very elfy.

Thing is the trails are for visitors, we as locals riding the same stuff for years can get a bit blasé about what is good and what isn't. On here we are all riding gods.... I am sure you, like me have come across many a rider struggling to get up or down trails we ride regularly. It's the same discussion that's been cycling around and will do for many years to come as new riders come along. I ride with a wide range of abilities. One of the guys, in his 50s only started biking 3yrs ago and is now riding SXC this year 😆 He has overtaken the rest of us due to shear determination.
Not sure how long jonba has been here but this discussion come around regularly 😉

After the recent dry weather, I'd consider the wanlockhead gold rush route, it's a corker. 50k but it doesn't really feel that long. Starts and finishes at drumlanrig.

I did Mabie yesterday for the first time and would have to say Drumlanrig is way better IMO. That said Kirroughtree is the best of the Southern Stanes but a bit out of the way.
Mabie did seem terribly short and poorly signposted I thought.

Not sure how long jonba has been here but this discussion come around regularly

A very long time (2004) although I think I have a new name since the great redesign.

Mabie looks most popular so will try that and something else depending on how the previous days go.

Short is actually my main concern at the minute. The plan for tomorrow is GT black and red then ride over to Innerliethen. GT Black is under 2 hours on a good so most red routes are really quick.