Some mates and I are planning a 5-day summer trip to take in all of the Seven Stanes sites in June, before ending up in Edinburgh for a stag do! We've been to Glentress before but none of the other sites so I was hoping for some helpful suggestions on things like a good sequence to do them in, any to avoid, good places to stay, anything else that would be useful to know, etc....
Ta very much
Jiffy
Day 1 Kirroughtree
(Stay around Dumfries ish)
Day 2 Dalbeattie then Mabie
Day 3 Ae (but check what is open/conditions) then either Mabie Darkside or Drumlanrig
Day 4 Glentress Black then freeride area
(Stay in the Peebles area)
Day 5 Innerleithen then Glentress Red
Others I am sure will offer their views
You forgot about Glentrool
Yeah - I hadn't forgotten - this is a discussion to have as it's pretty much fireroad huh? And also should Newcastleton be added in simply for the sake of doing ALL stanes?
As I said, Jiffy needs some options from others too to help decide what is best for what they are looking for.
When you say 5 day trip how many riding days vs drinking?
Good place to stay http://www.thebreakpad.com/
You can do Kirroughtree , Dalbeattie and Mabie easily from here.
Times to, Kirry 3/4hr. Dalbeattie 1/2hr. Mabie 1/2-3/4hr.
Depends how fit you are dictates what you can do.
Kirry black is at least a 4hr ride. Fit and you can do Dalbeattie on the same day. Not fit and you will be knackered for the following days....
Dalbeattie and Mabie can be done in the same day.
Follow that the next day with Ae and the up to Drumlanrigg before heading over to GT and Inners via the Dalveen Pass.
Glentrool is a 35ml slog on forest roads. Great if you just fancy a day out with some teriffic views and some banter with mates.
Newcastleton is short but sweet. Kieder is nearby and a new route over to Newcastleton should be finished by Easter
http://www.thebikeplace.co.uk/index.php?option=static&page_id=2498&pname=Trail%20Information
When in June?
Could do you some off-piste/in the hills routes
Simon Ralli
Considering doing a Scotland trip myself this summer. Is it really feasible to do all of that in 5 days? Or will you be feeling the effects a bit during/after?
Also, what/where to stay, and how cheap is accomodation on a budget? I know I could of course camp, but I HATE sleeping in a tent, and a warm shower first thing in the morning (and another when getting off the bike) is essential.
I'm thinking the same due to the £$ - 4 or 5 days in Scotland but when do the midges start to come out to play in the Dumfries area?
Thanks for that guys - all helpful stuff. We'll be doing five days riding then another two 'relaxing' in Edinburgh and we're going for the week starting 13 June. As usual, we're a bit of a mixed bag in fitness terms but can all manage two of the Afan trails in a day and have been known to do three. This is meant to be for fun though....
We're also keen to maximise the good riding and avoid the fire road treks, rather than just do all the centres for the sake of it - so it sounds like we might want to give Glentrool a miss.
I think that we have the bones of a plan there but any other views / advice is welcome, especially on places to stay. Trekster - thanks for the breakpad link - that looks a good place to start.
Midges = probably June!!
I`m off 13-18th June so can give you the benefit of my "local" knowledge if you wish.
There are loads of bike friendy accom in the area
http://www.wallamhill.co.uk/
http://www.dumfries-and-galloway.co.uk/accommodation/bb_dumfries.htm
Torbay Lodge and hazeldean for 2.
My mate Danny and Marge at Saughtrees 01387 252358
http://www.hamiltonhousedumfries.co.uk/
http://www.roomfinderscotland.co.uk/mapsearch.php?townid=30
http://www.7stanes.com/mabie-c28.html
http://www.barendholidayvillage.co.uk/holiday-chalets.htm
http://www.barnsoulfarm.co.uk/
http://www.gorsebank.com/
hows that for starters?
mboy. the trick is to take your time on the first couple of days, pace yourself
Mboy
I should say I was born in Dumfries, and grew up in Newton Stewart, and my folks are back living in Dumfries so I am not in a position to tell you about campsites and B&Bs. However, I first got into biking at Mabie (which I still love) in 2004, and have done most Stanes a few times but not Innerleithen which is on my to do list.
If I was doing the 7 Stanes in 5 days, my personal preference would be
Day 1 - Kirroughtree
Day 2 - Dalbeattie
Day 3 - Mabie then maybe one loop of Drumlanrig (I am not that skilled on riding over tree roots and Drumlanrig is "old school"), but to be honest just Mabie as it would be a recovery day.
Day 4 - Glentress Black
Day 5 - Innerleithen
I myself do not think I am fit enough to do 2 Stanes in a day, and I am quite slow and enjoy my riding at a fun and chilled out pace.
I was hoping a few more people may post up a few alternative itineries for you as you should not just base your decision on my suggestions alone as I may be a very different rider to you and i am not that skilled or particularly fast (although e by heck I can now climb due to all my Sierra rides).
Trekster - yeah - that looks great in Sierra Nevada? It's a 3 1/2 hour drive at least from Gib. I am probably going to be doing something shamanic on the Friday for the equinox so kind of booked up. Shame you are not nearer my side of Andalucia. Have fun!
There were just 12 of us working out in Gib, but now about 100 more colleagues are moving here and I was asked tonight to organise some guided rides i.e. me guiding lol.
For midges, try [url= http://www.avon.com/1/3/avon-skin-so-soft-dry-oil-body-spray ]Avon's Skin So Soft[/url] or else [url= http://www.highland-midge.co.uk/ ]Highland Midge patches[/url].
I dare say the weather will effect the midges so I might leave my trip to the last minute, probably mid May.
May in Dumfries = [url= http://www.originalbicyclefestival.co.uk/ ]Original bike festival[/url]
This place is nice and dead cheap if there is a few of you. http://www.greenhead-holidays.co.uk/index.html
Has a sauna too!