Where to go? Dumfries area

[Ranger 6]

Looking to the knowledgeable ones who may be local to Dumfries. Where's a good place to go for a ride out. Both of us are old farts and not looking for extreme hills or gnarly stuff, just some good tracks to go for a ride out this weekend.

TIA

[cone]

http://www.7stanes.gov.uk/

Personally Kirroughtree is my fav.

[a11y_m]

How "knarly" do you want it?

The 7 stanes are brilliant centres. Kirroughtree is also my favourite but has some reasonably technical bits along the way. But the likes of Glentrool is the exact opposite - a big distance, but almost exclusively on fireroad so technically very easy.

I'm down there first weekend in May for a few days of riding, 8 of us going. Aiming to take in Drumlanrig on Friday, Kirroughtree on Sat, Dalbeattie on Sunday, and probably Mabie on the Monday...

[Ranger 6]

Thanks!

Prefer smooth stuff so there's much to do in these areas.

[R1 GTR]

Drumlanrig is a good ride, haven't tried Mabie or Ae yet and it's not that far from me either.

[Ranger 6]

Had a lovely run through Mabie on Saturday, great weather and stunning visibility from the top.

The 7 Stanes appear to be an excellent facility for riders with something for everyone - I'll certainly be taking my bike again next time I'm up there

[a11y_m]

Ranger 6 said:

Had a lovely run through Mabie on Saturday, great weather and stunning visibility from the top.

The 7 Stanes appear to be an excellent facility for riders with something for everyone - I'll certainly be taking my bike again next time I'm up there

Good stuff, Mabie was a good choice then? Ae/Mabie/Dalbeattie/Kirroughtree are all a bit too far south for a day trip for me, hence I don't ride those 7 stanes that often, but Mabie is a good one. Quite "natural" feeling in places compared to Glentress or even Dalbeattie IMO (apart from the "Dark Side" trail at Mabie, that's just scary).

The 7 Stanes are great for bikers who're unsure about more natural trails. I prefer the natural stuff but a few of my mates (plus the wife) are relative beginners and favour trail centres. But as you say, they've got something for everyone and keep me far from bored

[Ranger 6]

Yes, Mabie was a good choice. 10 minutes from my friends house and not too scary for him as he'd not been on a bike for more than a couple of years so I wanted something that would help him get back to it more often. He was a touch saddle sore after the green run so I suggested some shorts and more practice!

Next time I fancy doing the purple run round the long way - that looked good. All the rollercoaster stuff through the woods is a bit scary for a fat old fart like me...

Edited by Ranger 6 on Tuesday 14th April 11:33