Step up to Kirroughtree from MonkeyTrail black

slimboyjim

Hi,

I've been loving the new black sections at the Monkey Trail (Cannock) and feel pretty confident on them now (for those who haven't done it there are some mid-sized drops (2 foot drop on the face, plus a foot or two with trail sloping away) and 45 degree rock steps lasting about 4 metres).

Problem is I've now really got the bug for pushing myself further and was thinking of doing a trip to Scotland in late Autumn. Having heard great praise of Kirroughtree I was wondering how tough it was? Clearly the distance is greater, but on a technical level I wondered if there was much of a step up again?

Watching videos it looks pretty achievable, but videos tend to make things look less scary than they actually are

Advice is appreciated from anyone who has done them both...

Thanks!


James

pilsburypie

The monkey trail black bits are fairly challenging trail centre wise. You ain't gonna get much harsher on a trail. Maybe plenty more of that sort of stuff as the black bits on the monkey are pretty short.

Have you been up stile cop? Maybe check out more dh orientated stuff if you like it gnarly! Did a forest of Dean uplift day just and loved it. Cwm Carn next. Might be your bag.

GhallTN6

I did Kirroughtreel (black) last weekand and it was fantastic, it is well worth doing, I loved McMoab for it's technicallity, and there are some great techical rocky steps etc, plus loads of flowing stuff (read this months MBR).

If you are going up that way, do Innerliethen and Glentress as well, between the three of them I couldn't pick which one was the best, but if you like rock drops, check out this video of Cadden Bank on Innerliethen, certainly the biggest drop I've ever done.. (it's not my video though)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WyN0d0A5ZM

slimboyjim

Thanks both - I think it's going to have to go on my 'to do' list for this year...

I ride Stile Cop a bit - tend to do a loop of that with a few runs of upper and lower cliff when I go up, along with a nice off-piste trail I know... I tend to stick to the red route, although had a look at Ridgeline last time I was up and it's definitely do-able... Just waiting for the missus to drop the next sprog so I'm not housebound on permanent standby - grrr!


James

dewei

You should definitely go and I am sure you will find it much easier than I did.

I have only been mountain biking for about a year and have done the Monkey Trail in Cannock 6-8 times. I have never dared do the black bits.

I went to Kirroughtree to do the red but ended doing the whole of the black as well. I am still on a high! The McMoab section was very difficult - I simply did not have the technique to move across many of the boulders separated by deep gaps especially uphill. I had to push on foot half of times and had numerous small offs. There is a big steep 20ft drop off at the end. I took the chicken option but I think really it was doable. I was alone on the black. My cycling buddy retired after his 4th puncture, I was not to meet any other rider on the black. There is no phone mobile coverage and a serious injury does not bear thinking...

After Mc Moab, there is a huge climb (?Heartbreak Hill) but the next section Black Craigs was absolutely unbelievable. Cycling nirvana. A seemingly never-ending singletrack with great flowing curves and lots and lots of rocky sections and drop offs. I got carried away by the sheer flow and flew through features that would normally put me off. My only difficulty were some uphill rocky sections. I was riding my Lapierre Zesty 314 for the first time after using a hardtail before. I have never felt so much precise steering control and confidence.

So, Kirroughtree is much longer with loose gravel with a lot of challenging rocky sections and drop offs but Cannock is actually more difficult in a few respects: the singletrack goes through narrower gaps between the trees, more uphill and downhill hairpin turns and roots. There are more fun berms/rollers in Cannock actually.

There were 20 riders max all day at Kirroughtree on last Saturday which means you do not meet anybody for miles and miles. Midges are out early, be prepared, I have souvenir bites!

I can't wait for next trip up North!

slimboyjim

Cheers Dewei - I'll definitely give it a go. Midges are everywhere - first time at Afan my legs looked like I had measles! You live and learn though!

Yes I'm still on the Zesty by the way - great bike. I have upgraded it a bit though so it's now even better! You should give the black bits at Cannock a go as they are not too difficult if you build up the bottle to commit properly. I've done a couple of skills sessions up there with WWW.Thebikeschool.net who brought my riding on massively - I was one of those who just kept riding past thinking 'I'll do it one day' before... When someone tells you that you are capable and shows you a line that's half the battle I think...

dewei

I will certainly try the black bits on the Monkey. After Kirroughtree, I feel much more confident.

If you need, B&B, can I recommend
http://stablesguesthouse.com/
It is in Newton Stewart 3 miles from Kirroughtree. Very good cooked breakfast. Clean. Many MTBers stay up there!