IOM - 7 Stanes

I was there last weekend, staying just outside of Newton Stewart about an hour West of Mabie. We rode Kirroughtree, Glentrool, and Dalbeattie. Mixed group so nothing too hairy:

Kirroughtree Red and Blue - nice climbs, pretty flowy downs, nothing too technical. We did a couple of loops of each rather than the black.

Glentrool Big Country Loop - long route on fire road, no singletrack. Beautiful scenery though so worth it if you are happy with a day away from “real” MTBing. (Arguably this is exactly what MTBing was in the 90s!)

Dalbeattie - I missed most of the day there as had to take one of the group to A&E but apparently the blue is fairly tame with lots of fire road. Red was very very technical and hard work, even for the fittest in our group.

I rode most of those about 10 years ago and not much has changed other than a bit of gravel here and there on sections close to the trail heads, presumably to help them weather a bit. I also rode Mabie and Ae when there 10 years ago but don’t remember too much about that trip (stag do). I think though that Mabie was very wooded and flowed well, Ae also flowed but less wood and more open skies.

I did Kirroughtree black a few months back, miles of fireroad broken up by meh. Having to pedal on the downhills was the last straw, as soon as I hit the road I just used it as a shortcut back to the trailhead. Arguably would be more fun on a rigid bike than the full sus I had. In the sun I'm sure it's a nice loop (with a visit to Grey Mares Tail easily do-able) but a black it most assuredly is not unless you can be bothered riding up Heartbreak Hill.

I rode Dalbeattie last year and there are some locals on here who'll have much better knowledge (apologies, I forget who it was who are locals but I'm sure they'll comment) but basically half the route (eastern side) is wrecked from storm damage still whereas the western side is OK. Quite enjoyable although I found some bit hard work. Note that I was riding a fully rigid STooge as opposed to a FS trail bike. I can't imaging they've made too much progress on the trails where the storm damage was, there were A LOT of trees down! You can drop off the trails basically at the southern end into Sandyhills (that's where we stayed) and get an ice cream on the beach though which is nice.

Kirroughtree is a lovely trail centre IMO, the full loop favours a fit rider or an ebike. Some cheeky stuff from local enduros on trailforks as well, same with Dalbeattie. (not sure about the storm damage)

Ae has got some seriously good riding away from the trail centre (ask in the shop) The red loops just had the main descent resurfaced and its had very mixed reviews.

Mabies a sweet trail centre, and if its on the doorstep id make the most of that.

Mabie definitely - it's literally out the back door of the hotel and a nice wee Red.

If you're looking for something more off the beaten track there's an easy link from Mabie across to Shambellie woods (by New Abbey) for some lovely natural trails. It makes for a nice longer day than just blitzing the Red in an hour or so.

Easiest way across is to re-do the start of the Mabie Red then don't take the right for Contour Climb; follow the fireroad down, by Lochaber Loch and then left and keep going until you reach a gate/crossroad.

TrailForks is your friend for this. It's a wee bit of a shank between the two but no more than 45 mins, maybe less (it's been a while). It's a bit of a warren across there but with a sharp eye plus TrailForks you'll spot plenty to play on.

Retrace your steps to get back to Mabie and the hotel once you're done. Lovely.

Dalbeattie's worth doing - it's a nice drive along the coast road from Mabie and there's loads of really good off-piste to be found off the Red trail. Again, you could easily do the Red once, grab lunch and then head out to hunt down the naturals afterwards. The first and last chunks of the Dbt Red are the best. As already mentioned above, the eastern section was pretty drab anyway and was absolutely battered by Storm Arwin so lots still out of bounds and diverted.

Personally I tend to do the Red up to the Heartstone then pick up naturals and repeat but depends if you want to 'do' the full route to tick it up (perfectly understandable if so).

There's an easily ridden link between Dalbeattie forest and Kippford at Barnbarroch, a nice option for lunch or dinner at The Anchor (pub at far end of the village). Much nicer than riding along the busy main road.

There are trails at Kippford but they're really hard to find - you'll spend longer looking for them than it takes to ride so for a short-trip I'd focus on Dalbeattie. There's ample to be had in there.

Then it's a choice of Ae or Kirroughtree. Both great, similarly served with two really good bike shops (cafe's better at Ae) but very different in character.

I like both. Ae's got some magnificent off-piste - ask in the shop, they'll keep you right. For a straight-up 'follow the red signs' ride, I prefer Kirroughtree's Red to Ae's though.

If doing Kirroughtree then it's only another half hour's drive to pick off the blue route at Glentrool too. It's not at all taxing and fairly dull to begin with (final descent's good fun) but the scenery makes up for it. You're properly into remote Galloway Forest Park at times, it's reet bonnie.

Once done it's an easy pootle along the road to see Bruce's Stone which is worth a look.

Have fun - it's a nice part of the world for riding bikes 🙂

This is brilliant, thanks guys. I can definitely plan our 3 days from all this.

One last question please guys. I’ve got the two full days sorted, but on our final day, some will want the full day’s riding, but some the morning will do.

if we did, say Maibie on the morning, some could relax in the afternoon, but others will jump in the van and go somewhere for a last hour or two.

where is the best place for that last few hours, for those that want it?

I always really liked Drumlanrig , more than Ae and Dalbeatie . Mabie is great if a little short and I've always enjoyed kirro although it's not to everyone's taste .

<i> </i>I haven't been to Drumlanrig in ages though and I'm not sure what is there anymore post felling and Arwen

what do you guys think of this:

Itinerary

Day 1 Kirroughtree

Day 2 Dalbeattie

Day 3 Maibie am

Ae pm ??

Mabie and Dalbeattie are easier combined (with a van) than Ae+ A N Other as they're fairly close to each other.

Perhaps do Ae on the middle day? There's plenty there to fill a full day if you're up for doing laps of the Downhill side and picking off naturals after you've finished the red and scored lunch in the cafe.

Then head for Dalbeattie on last morning and a do lap of Mabie in the pm for those that fancy?

You can get round the Mabie Red in an hour and a half of fairly easy-going riding so with the long light nights here I suspect you'll have it done one evening before the last day.

Thanks guys. I’m pretty much covered now.

I wouldn’t bother with the Kirroughtree black. Lots of fire road climbing for a shit pedalling descent.

Mabie is a great fun red. Viable to do two or three laps in a day. Maybe four.

AE is fun. Also they do uplift days if you’re there at a weekend.

Amended as per Jamesmio.

am Maibie on day 3 so that the relaxers can have the afternoon off 🍻

Itinerary

Day 1 Kirroughtree

Day 2 Ae

Day 3 Maibie am

Dalbeattie pm - for those who want a     final lap.

OK?

I have just been across and did some riding in the area.  I stayed in Kirkcodbright and drove to Kirroghtree and Dalbeattie, then went to Whinlatter on the way back to the ferry.

Kirroghtree - I did the red - black.  The black is techie, slow riding.  I did walk a lot, but it wasn't too bad overall.  The red I was surprised by the rocky, short sharp climbs.  Those caught me out more than the descents.

Dalbeattie - lots of fireroad joining up singletrack.  There is a diversion, but not that bad.  There are some black descents, but I just followed the reds and enjoyed it.

Compared to the IOM, the fireroads are not too bad joining up the fun sections.  Everything was rideable, but as this was my first time there and I was riding alone I did walk sections, but that was just my brain getting in the way.

Thanks for that. Hopefully, got it all covered now.

Not a Stane bug Moffat has some real awesome off piste trails

rode it twice this weekend

@jamesmio heard about Shambelle

is it similar to Moffat?

Shambelle

I was up in Dumfriesshire last week and fancied something different from the usual 7 Stanes riding so had a look there instead. I had a look at the more popular trails from the Strava heatmap and cross referenced with trailforks. The red gradings on there seemed reasonably fair. It tended to be very rooty, quite rocky in parts but not overly steep.

James advice looks good to me(another local) What days of the week are you visiting? It might be worth dropping Callum at the Ae bike shop a message and ask if he can hook you up with a local rider to help find and enjoy the enduro trails. Many locals ride early in the mornings... Same at Kirry, Galloway Hillbillies or Sam at the Breakpad bike shop.

You are always going to get conflicting reviews of the trails when asking for advice from those that prefer lots of jumps to those that enjoy a pedal, some who think the trails are easy to those that have had to do a wee bit of walking.... takes all sorts. Enjoy your trip.

Many thank Trekster. We’ll be riding Sat, Sun, Mon, and there are 18 of us, so I’ll just take them all to the trail centres, so that they can all have a bash at something together.

it’s all about the ride, the cafes, the bike shops, and of course Maibie House bar.

I’ve been organising these for about 12/13 years, and this’ll be the last big one, so armed with what you guys have provided, we should be able to make it a good one.

Malcolm will look after you.. If you want some guides for Ae there is a closed facebook group James and I have access to and could arrange something. Personally not fit enough nowadays..... There is another for Dalbeattie, the guys creating the off-piste trails.. I saw your post on one of the FB pages btw

Gonna take guess that's you guys in the 3 x IOM plated vans I've seen kicking about various 'Stanes this weekend.

Hope you're enjoying it - we've even kept the worst of the weather at bay for you.

It was brilliant Jamesmio. Thank you, and thank you all gor your help/advice. If I could find out how to put photos on, I might bore you all with a few 🤷🏻

And yes, those vans were us.

tonyd

nothing too hairy

nothing too technical

long route on fire road, no singletrack

fairly tame with lots of fire road

had to take one of the group to A&E

Something doesn't add up here 🙂

(hope your friend was OK)

I think he meant he was taking his friends to Ae.