Kiroughtree or Dalbeatie?

bluechair84

I'll be up with the opportunity to do one of these rides - but if you had to choose one which would it be? It'll be my first ride in Scotland. I'm after technical tight and rugged with solitude and fantastic views. Which one of these best fits the bill? I've heard Kiroughtree is a very techical fun ride...

lucieandpaul

Hi there

I live 5min from Dalbeattie, and i think personally its one of the best trails, technically its a fast flowing trails with varying contours and surfaces, with nice rocky trails also, but it depends if you want to push yourself on climbs or not.

I hate climbs, so love Dalbeattie.

Kirroughtree is very busy, and for that fact I hate it, as it has lots of families there and any time ive been in good weather, you cant ride through without having to stop for someone every 5min on certain parts.

My fav 7 Stanes trail however has to be Mabie which you havent mentioned and is only 10min drive from Dalbeattie, it has the best facilities, and is fantastic fun.

It has fast flowing single track and the North Shore is great if you have the balls for it.

The skills park there also is second to none and some of the black route stuff would test the best riders.

When are you planning to ride there, gimme a shout and you can meet up with a few of us if you want shown the best rides in the area etc

Paul

bluechair84

We're going up for the DH world cup on the 7th, looking to ride on Monday the 8th. Specifically that area as we are coming up from London (!) and want to cut some of the journey on the Sunday. Plus I have family in Crocketford, Dumfries. Mabie sounds good too! I'll read into that more, Simon is a bit of a North Shore bunny so he'd love all that.
And it's a good point about the traffic - i prefer to feel like i'm a lonely explorer... with a GPS and trodden road

lucieandpaul

Crocketford!

Thats weird, i live 5mins cycling from there, just off the A75 lol

If you fancy some local advice, you know to drop me a PM and id be happy to help.

I know a great trail around Crocketford thats short, but good fun and you can cycle from the village to it, down hill and back on some roads in about 30min.

dave_hill

Kirroughtree, deffo.

I went with six mates last August Bank Holiday and we only saw one other group of riders all day.

trailpuppet

Well, if I was to answer the question without the knowledge that you are travelling from Londun and have relatives in Crocketford then I would have said Kirroughtree.

But that is the best part of 3/4hr drive.

So the next best thing is a double header of Mabie & Dalbeattie.

I`m also "local" in Dumfries and could "show you a good time" round either, adding a couple of hrs to each on the "cheeky" stuff.

Search youtube or google vids for the Mabie/Kona Darkside for the North Shore fiend.

cavegiant

Dalbeattie is great, so it's a win win either way

trailpuppet

cave.. even better if you know it blindfolded, backwards and inside-out

BoardinBob

lucieandpaul wrote:

Kirroughtree is very busy, and for that fact I hate it, as it has lots of families there and any time ive been in good weather, you cant ride through without having to stop for someone every 5min on certain parts.

:?

Kirroughtree's always deserted whenever I'm there, even at weekends. Even easter weekend was completely dead.



For the OP, Kirroughtree is mainly in the trees so there's not much in the way of views.

Dalbeattie's a lot more open but you never gain any real height to appreciate the views.

Ae has some pretty good views.

dave_hill

BoardinBob wrote:

lucieandpaul wrote:

Kirroughtree is very busy, and for that fact I hate it, as it has lots of families there and any time ive been in good weather, you cant ride through without having to stop for someone every 5min on certain parts.

:?

Kirroughtree's always deserted whenever I'm there, even at weekends. Even easter weekend was completely dead.

Must admit I found that post a bit odd. There's always someone about but it's never packed and it's rare that you'll meet many other bikers out on the the trails.

pdid

Kirroughtree IMO, more flowy than Dalbeattie.

Must admit I`d rather go to Ae or Mabie than Dalbeattie but Kirroughtree is definately the best of the 4.

James_F

lucieandpaul wrote:

Crocketford!

Thats weird, i live 5mins cycling from there, just off the A75 lol

If you fancy some local advice, you know to drop me a PM and id be happy to help.

I know a great trail around Crocketford thats short, but good fun and you can cycle from the village to it, down hill and back on some roads in about 30min.

Any chance of PM'ing me this?

rhette

Definately Kirroghtree. Its fantastic!

LoUiS1985

Hi,
I've just come back from both kirroughtree and dalbeattie. Hardly saw anyone of either of the trails. weather was good. scenery of kirroughtree is better but i prefered the more rechnical aspect of dalbeattie and thought of it more as a playground.
anyway both trails get 10/10 from me

dave_hill

And again, don't overlook Mabie - it's a bit of a "hidden gem"...

snotty badger

I've only ridden Mabie and Dalbeattie out of the 7stanes- but think Mabie was slighty better. I'll definatly be doning both again though.

At Dalbeattie I never had to use the granny ring and managed/attempted all the black, sop was quite chuffed with myself.

Hoping to tick off a few more of the 7stanes soon too..