flattryes mtb routes
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For this first Oneplanet Shop Ride weekend away I had planned a trip to some of the 7 Stanes MTB Centres
in Dumfries and Galloway. The Saturday would see us riding Mabie Forest in the morning followed by the
Forest of Ae in the afternoon, leaving Dalbeattie till the Sunday. On a recommendation we had booked four
of the Wigwams at Barnsoul Farm for the two nights of our stay that are wooden shacks in the shape of a
big ridge tent with a veranda. They were raised off the ground, double glazed and had a little heater so
in Dumfries and Galloway. The Saturday would see us riding Mabie Forest in the morning followed by the
Forest of Ae in the afternoon, leaving Dalbeattie till the Sunday. On a recommendation we had booked four
of the Wigwams at Barnsoul Farm for the two nights of our stay that are wooden shacks in the shape of a
big ridge tent with a veranda. They were raised off the ground, double glazed and had a little heater so
were nice and toasty. More
importantly there was a fridge so
the beer could still be kept cool.
The majority of us had taken the
day off to get a ride in on the
Friday afternoon, including me and
Paul who went to Kirroughtree and
rode the Black Route. On our
return to the campsite at around
7pm we met up with the rest of the
group, the last three finally
arriving at 9.30pm as they couldn’t
importantly there was a fridge so
the beer could still be kept cool.
The majority of us had taken the
day off to get a ride in on the
Friday afternoon, including me and
Paul who went to Kirroughtree and
rode the Black Route. On our
return to the campsite at around
7pm we met up with the rest of the
group, the last three finally
arriving at 9.30pm as they couldn’t
| The Wigwams at Barnsoul Farm |
| Getting ready in the car park at Mabie |
Sabine(left), Ken and Paul (above)
riding the planks at the end of the
Butterhole climb
riding the planks at the end of the
Butterhole climb
| Steve, Ken, Shane and Jim climb on the firetrack to the Contour Trail |
get out of their work commitments. The evening was spent sitting around, cold beers in hand, swapping
stories and talking about the weekends riding before getting some sleep. The morning was cool and dry
and there was a promise of sun later, perfect riding weather. I was in a bit of a rush as I needed to get to
the bike shop at Mabie Forest to buy a middle ring and fit it before the ride. Me and Sabine turned up just
before the shop was open but thankfully the lads let us in early and were really helpful, getting me sorted
out and ready to ride not long after the planned start time. With everyone ready we set off on a circuit of
the Endura Pheonix Trail just after 10am. The majority of this route is good quality singletrack with the odd
stories and talking about the weekends riding before getting some sleep. The morning was cool and dry
and there was a promise of sun later, perfect riding weather. I was in a bit of a rush as I needed to get to
the bike shop at Mabie Forest to buy a middle ring and fit it before the ride. Me and Sabine turned up just
before the shop was open but thankfully the lads let us in early and were really helpful, getting me sorted
out and ready to ride not long after the planned start time. With everyone ready we set off on a circuit of
the Endura Pheonix Trail just after 10am. The majority of this route is good quality singletrack with the odd
| Dave and Me riding one for the wooden sections at the side of the trail |
| Jim on the Contour Climb |
| Libby and Jim on Descender Bender |
| Andy on a practise jump Descender Bender |
bit of raised wooden trails, berms and a few steps
with couple of skinnies on the side to have a go
at. Although there are no big features on this trail
with couple of skinnies on the side to have a go
at. Although there are no big features on this trail
| Jim hits the Burn Splash |
it does not take away from the fact that it is great loop of fast, flowing
singletrack. The thing that makes this forest stand out from the others is the
2km Dark Side North Shore circuit, but that was well outside the scope of this
weekend. We made our way round the forest enjoying it to its full, as it was
bone dry. There was plenty to keep us occupied from winding climbs and
peddley, intense flat to long bermed descents. At the end of the trail me and
Paul decided to have a go at a rooty drop. Being boring I rode it without
incident but Paul got the crowd going with an eye watering top tube landing on
his first attempt, sliding out and loosing some (more) skin on his second then
getting it right on the third. We had all really enjoyed the ride and of those who
had ridden sections of the Endura Phoenix Trail the day before there were a
few who were even happier to have cleaned sections that had given them
singletrack. The thing that makes this forest stand out from the others is the
2km Dark Side North Shore circuit, but that was well outside the scope of this
weekend. We made our way round the forest enjoying it to its full, as it was
bone dry. There was plenty to keep us occupied from winding climbs and
peddley, intense flat to long bermed descents. At the end of the trail me and
Paul decided to have a go at a rooty drop. Being boring I rode it without
incident but Paul got the crowd going with an eye watering top tube landing on
his first attempt, sliding out and loosing some (more) skin on his second then
getting it right on the third. We had all really enjoyed the ride and of those who
had ridden sections of the Endura Phoenix Trail the day before there were a
few who were even happier to have cleaned sections that had given them
| Sabine in the Burn Splash |
| Libby at the top of The Scorpion climb |
| Paul at the end of The Rollercoaster |
| Shane on the Primal Scene climb |
| Jim and Steve climbing Primal Scene |
| Ken descending on Primal Scene |
trouble the day before. It was then time to
get the bikes back into the cars and head
off for some food before the afternoons
ride at the Forest of Ae. Most of us had
something to eat at a café just off the A75
get the bikes back into the cars and head
off for some food before the afternoons
ride at the Forest of Ae. Most of us had
something to eat at a café just off the A75
| Libby descending on Primal Scene |
a few miles from the campsite. As a bunch of dirty, sweaty riders still
wearing our shorts and cycling shoes we had reservations when we
walked into a posh restaurant area complete with antique furniture
and material covered chairs. Far from being turned away we were
made welcome and served a filling selection of soup, bread, toasted
sandwiches and macaroni cheese all washed down with copious
amounts of tea. Unfortunately two of the group got themselves lost on
wearing our shorts and cycling shoes we had reservations when we
walked into a posh restaurant area complete with antique furniture
and material covered chairs. Far from being turned away we were
made welcome and served a filling selection of soup, bread, toasted
sandwiches and macaroni cheese all washed down with copious
amounts of tea. Unfortunately two of the group got themselves lost on
| Me on a rock section near John Henry |
the way to the
restaurant and despite
going back out in my
car around the lanes I
couldn’t find them. I
had made everyone
aware of the weekend's
itinerary so was hoping
they would do the
obvious thing and
make their way to the
Forest of Ae and wait
for us to arrive. It
didn't take long to
demolish the food set
in front of us and we
were soon out of the
door and heading for
Ae with our fingers
crossed.
restaurant and despite
going back out in my
car around the lanes I
couldn’t find them. I
had made everyone
aware of the weekend's
itinerary so was hoping
they would do the
obvious thing and
make their way to the
Forest of Ae and wait
for us to arrive. It
didn't take long to
demolish the food set
in front of us and we
were soon out of the
door and heading for
Ae with our fingers
crossed.
| Steve on a rock section near John Henry |
| Shane at the end of Rattle'n'Hum |
| Paul doing the rooty drop at the end of the ride |
| www.flattyresmtbroutes.com |