[Closed] Ayrshire - Route/Riding Advice

Drumlanrig will be closer than Ae, and its more handsome, unlike the official Stanes its in mature broadleaf estate land rather than jaggy forestry plantation. Its just a nicer place to be. In a non-trail centre styley then the River Ayr Way takes you from the Ayr to the source of the river beyond Muirkirk, about 40 miles all in. Not all scintillating riding but a nice explore and pretty sheltered for most of the route too. Between Stair and Failford is nice (although I'm not sure if the landslip has been repaired upstream of Stair - it was quite a big and impassable collapse last time I was there but not been that way for a year or so). Ballochmyle Gorge to Sorn is good too (v good food at the Sorn Inn too). Upstream of Sorn can be a bit of a slog in the winter - either boggy or very exposed. But approaching Muirkirk from downstream is good and theres lots of trails heading into the hills above Muirkirk, again pretty exposed though.

Also closer to Ayr is Craufordland, not an 'official' trail centre - it exists and you're allowed to use it but its not managed as a public facility, lacking in ups and downs but has lots of lefts and rights.

🙂 That's great thanks. Time for some OS map studying.

Craufurdland is alright but not really worth a drive to, I live 2 minutes ride from it. Most bits are extremely muddy at the moment so I would give it a miss. The don't do a 'mud run' there for nothing 🙂

[i]what is a must riding wise around there[/i]

Nothing 'must do' in the local area really, all just bits strung together to make a reasonable ride.

River Ayr Way is nice for a potter along.

That's great thanks. Time for some OS map studying.

With a bit of research there are some fun add-ons local to the River Ayr Way. The RAW's website has local paths detailed for the towns and villages it passes through so you can add bits, particularly around Catrine and Sorn.

With OS maps be aware that in the more remote areas there has been quite a bit of open cast and the landscape can have changed quite a bit (well…vanished really) since the map was drawn. Even google earth is out of date quite significantly. If you're getting intrepid double check the map square against Geograph.org to see pictures of what is actually there. But theres no issues close to the areas I've mentioned

If you have a road bike then the "ayrshire alps" are worth looking into - graded road routes in sort of the same way trail centres are graded.

Ayrshire is very agricultural and as such it's full of fenced-off fields full of cow shit.

I'd head down to Dumfriesshire if I were you and want some good bike rides.

In general Dan is right, it's a bit agricultural, but there is some right good riding if you know where to look, or if you know a local.. ahem... 😀

Some of my local riding spots -

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I live in Prestwick, right next to Ayr. Gimme an email closer to the time and I'd be glad to show you about. Particularly Fairlie moor, it's as good as anything I've ridden anywhere in the central belt.

Cheers NoBeer! I'll drop you an email. Looks awesome though.

The best advice I can offer is not to engage in banjo playing contests with locals.

😉

No Beer, do you mind I i give you a shout next time I'm up home (Dundonald) with the MTB??
I got into mountain biking when I lived down in Bristol so I've never really explored Ayrshire trails! 😳

No probs, email address in profile, be glad to show you about. It's flutes round here, spin, not banjos!.

Nobeer - what about a STW ride round your patch ???

Phuck that! Got a GMBC one to sort out first!.

😛

You going to the AGM tomorrow night Iain? If so, I'll see ye there.