Suggested tour route for the borders?

[aspen]

Hi all,

I'm planning a mountain biking road trip taking in a few of the 7 stanes bike trails. I'd like to go for Glentress, Mabie and Kirroughtree.

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&a...

Here is a rough route purely from looking at google maps. Can anyone recommend some good driving roads between those trails? Are there any good sights to see on the way as well?

I intend to camp so please let me know if there are any good sites around or camping spots.

Thanks.

[naetype]

You could also add Innerleithen which is also on your route (which is like a bigger, harder Glentress) and you'll then come in the back way via St Catherines Loch and Traquair and Glentress is only 15mins up the road from there anyway.

I'd suggest booking the Pods at Mabie (they also have them at Glentress now but I don't know if they're open yet). They're only a step removed from camping and only cost £35 a night. I'm a big fan of the Mabie, both XC and the 4X track.

BTW: If you're fit you could do Mabie and Ae, which is just up the road, in the one day.

Edited by naetype on Monday 26th April 13:23

[John MacK]

I'd avoid the M8 between Glasgow and Edinburgh and the A703 Edinburgh to Peebles. I'd consider the A72 or A73 through Lanarkshire to Peebles, there is several good sections of that road in the borders.

The A708 St Mary's Loch road to Moffat is considered to be one of the best roads in the country so I would opt for that rather than the B709 which I think is single track in places, if not all the way.

Plenty good roads in Dumfries and Galloway too, the coast road is pretty good.

[aspen]

Thanks for the replies guys.

Might give innerleithen a miss this time mainly as we haven't done much biking this year and the plan is to ease ourselves in with some gentle glentress action! I'm planning on paying a visit sometime this year though.

I like the idea of the pods, will look into that.

I think I'm looking forward to Mabie the most from what I've read about it. I've done Ae already this year and was good so could always do that on the way back up if we have time.

Thanks for the road suggestions, I've altered my route.

[sherman]

Whilst you are down that way take a trip to Twynholm. The home town of David Coulthard and the David Coulthard museum.

[aspen]

sherman said:

Whilst you are down that way take a trip to Twynholm. The home town of David Coulthard and the David Coulthard museum.

Good shout. Will definitely be stopping by there.

Thanks.