Scotland - Dumfries area

SerX72

Heading up to Scotland for a long weekend in a couple of weeks time.

Plan to do Kirroughtree & Dalbeattie on the Sat & Sun but needed some advice for the Friday.

Does anyone know of a decent natural route in that area ?, not too long as want some legs left for the weekend so a ~15miler/3 hour ride would be ideal.

Or do Mabie/Ae/Newcastleton ....never done any of these ??

Have done Drumlanrig before which may also be an option but would rather do a new one, although it is rather good.

woodywmb

Here's an idea. Park at Mossdale (NX6670) next to Loch Ken and cycle west on the old railbed of the Stranraer-Glasgow railway. The double and singletrack takes you to, among other places, the Big Water of Fleet viaduct, made famous in the Hitchcock film 'The 39 Steps'. Great countryside and a forest full of paths, including the Sustrans NCN off-road route shown in the picture below. 16 miles there and back with many options for extending the trail. Small visitor centre at Dromore sees the odd rambler now and again. Easy pedalling but harder going on wetland next to Loch Skerrow.

http://www.forgottenrelics.co.uk/bridge ... water.html

http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1904986

http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1535016

pugaltitude

Not a natural ride but mabie red route is start.
About 12 miles done in about 1-2 hours.
The butterhole climb gets you warmed up at the start and on a good day the view is worth it.
Decender bender is good fun but once you go down you have to go back up with the scorpions tail which is easier to cycle up than walk.
Then for a bit of fun try the Kona dark side and jump the gap!

trailpuppet

OS78 is your friend if you want some D&G natural riding.

Dalbeattie - add on the coastal path from Portling to Rockcliffe and then Kiipford before re-entering the forest on the walking trail at Barnbarroch(brown posts)+ lots of "natural" stuff for us locals to play on

Depends where you are travelling from whether Newcastleton is on your way or not?

If coming up the M6 and want some easy to find natural stuff then stopping off in Keswick and doing the Borrowdale Bash @ 18mls would be a better bet. Or Blencartha/Glendertarra/Skiddaw YHA.

Depends on your fitness level and faff time Ae can be done in 2hrs or so and Mabie is a 1.1/2hr blast. Lots of "natural" stuff in Mabie if you know where to look Only a 1/2hr ride between the 2 and cafes at both with Ae having showers.

What date are you travelling up?
Happy to meet and mark a route on OS78 or maybe ride if I am off. Some good stuff out of Moffat, Drumlanrigg, Sanquhar and Durrisdeer. Check out Southern Upland Way.

pugaltitude

Lots of "natural" stuff in Mabie if you know where to look

Iv been doing mabie for a few months now but before that the last time I was up mabie was in the early 90's before all this trail rides. I can remember a downhill I did that was called the deathslide. I cant remember where it is. I started at beeswing and went up by cairn yard and then iv lost it from there. I keep thinking its the scorpion but the downhill i did felt steeper and straighter and went longer but im going with memory.
Do you know of any?

trailpuppet

Lots of "natural" stuff in Mabie if you know where to look

Iv been doing mabie for a few months now but before that the last time I was up mabie was in the early 90's before all this trail rides

We have probably met at some point then :?:

I can remember a downhill I did that was called the deathslide. I cant remember where it is

Access has changed over the years due to felling/windblow but before starting the steep climb up Descender Bender(Rocky Horror!!) go off the trail at the post on the left, not very obvious but it is still there ina shorter form.

Fancy Ae Thurs 9am?

StumpyjumpyJon

HI

Four of us went up to Dalbeattie for the weekend in April this year and we did Dalbeattie, Mabie and Kirroughtree on consecutive days and was great fun. I ould recommend adding Mabie to the other two

Jon

pugaltitude

[Access has changed over the years due to felling/windblow but before starting the steep climb up Descender Bender(Rocky Horror!!) go off the trail at the post on the left, not very obvious but it is still there ina shorter form.

Fancy Ae Thurs 9am?[/quote]


Cheers I will have to try it out.
cant make thursday working and then going on my hols for a week

pugaltitude

Access has changed over the years due to felling/windblow but before starting the steep climb up Descender Bender(Rocky Horror!!) go off the trail at the post on the left, not very obvious but it is still there ina shorter form.

I found the deathslide today. Exactly how I rembered it. Cheers

nwallace

For anyone in the area, the Solway Coast Rally is on Sunday 31st.
Not sure what forest roads will be closed due to it, base is at Dalry St Johns and says Forrest Estate :Shrugs: