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I've only ever done the entire blue route with my daughter on the tag-along, so no 😳 there's a fair bit of the bits I've done on my own that can be ridden without touching the brakes, but not all of it.
spooky woods can be done without a single pedal stroke tho (still making almost every jump bar a couple really near the end). 😉
A bit late to join this (I guess you've been now).
Nevertheless, the black from the hub to the mast is one of my favourite bits of riding anywhere. Give or take it's about 1h10 to climb if your not stopping to take in the views and really shouldn't me missed. It just feels like a bit of proper biking, rather than a trail centre ride and it's the perfect ying to Spooky's yang.
At a bit under two hours I'd do black to mast, Spooky and then don't do Pie Run (nice enough section, but a bit of a short way to end the ride).
The full black is also a really nice ride and feels much more natural than some of the more groomed sections on the other grades (which I like too for different reasons).
Thanks iamtheresurrection. How would you describe the riding you like? For example which of the stanes do you like and in particular which sections stand out?
I suppose I like the ups about as much as the downs... I prefer it rocky to rooty, but wouldn't be happy going down the DH at Inners or Hamsterley - that's definitely out of my comfort zone (and not what I enjoy)! Mostly I ride not in trail centres.
As daft as this sounds, I just like a ride to feel like a proper mountain bike ride (hence LOVING the black to the mast), rather than purely downhill or perfectly groomed trails. I haven't done enough of the other 7 Stanes to compare really. It's a lot better than the red/black at Dalby, Hamsterley or Keilder (although they're enjoyable too, and much closer to home).
I tend to arrive with only an hour or two of daylight left, and always alone (sneaking a quick one in on my way home) - which means I tend to stick with what I know. Although I think I'll do Inners this week if I get time.
We did the black at Hamsterly yesterday as my mate lives in Spennymoor. Quite enjoyed the rooty bugger. It looks like one of those places that will have lots of hidden stuff if you take your time to look.. Hitting it after a dry week was obviously a bonus.
I liked the wooden drop off but the downhills looked a bit too serious to me, too many Power rangers on massive bikes..