Latest news:
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There's more information on what's happening around the 7stanes in our press releases section.
Events:
Latest news
There's been a change in the way that we are grading trails. Grades are now split between those for cross-country singletrack trails and those for bike parks (including downhill trails) and forest roads.
This is to highlight that forest roads can be of variable difficulty and are not part of a progression on to green and blue level singletrack trails, and similarly, orange-graded bike parks are not simply a progression on from singletrack grades.
You'll see these changes reflected in maps and on signage around the 7stanes. For a full explanation of what each trail grade means, see the trail grades page.
The trail maps for the trails at both Mabie and Ae have been updated. Note the smaller file sizes! The Mabie Map has gone to a 2-page format: the first page shows the full trail layout and the second page concentrates on the Kona Dark Side area.
You can download the Ae Map (PDF 485k) and Mabie Map (PDF 698k) here or in the usual places.
We have been working hard with the our new tenant, Rob Gray, to get everything in place for the opening of the new Ae 7stanes centre that will include a bike shop, café, toilets and showers. This has taken us a bit longer than anticipated but we are hopeful it will be open and operating before the end of May.
Our apologies if you have travelled down recently expecting the centre to be open but it won't be long now before the official opening and the formal launch of the new Ae blue and red trails as well as downhill skills section. Thanks for your patience.
The new blue-grade descent at Glentress is now open. Note that the new sections of trail are not marked on current Glentress bike trail maps. The Red and Black Routes continue to use Falla Brae for the final descent.
At Newcastleton, meanwhile, the current diversion on the red route will be in place until further notice.
Keep an eye on the trail conditions page for further updates.
Two exciting new events have been announced for Kirroughtree 7Stanes, organised by The Breakpad cycle shop. The Kirroughtree Family Adventure takes place on Saturday the 3rd of May and The Rowan Glen Challenge, a duathlon, on Sunday the 1st of June.
The Kirroughtree Family Adventure consists of mountain bike orienteering, archery and problem solving, all rolled into one. The course is set on two levels: a 6 km low-level route and a more challenging 10 km route - you choose. Bike hire, archery and equipment are all included in the price of £24 for a family of 4. Come along any time between 1100 and 1500 and you will be given a start time.
The Family Adventure is supported by Dumfries and Galloway Leisure and Sport, Galloway Forest Park and local businesses; The Murray Arms Hotel, Sandgreen Caravan Park, Conifers Leisure Park. The archery is provided by Laggan Outdoor based at Mossyard.
The Rowan Glen Challenge, inspired by the Dalbeattie Hard Rock Challenge, is an off-road duathlon over 27km all within Kirroughtree Forest in Galloway Forest Park.
The 10 km run will be along woodland track and forest road over an undulating and picturesque course, and the famed 17km bike ride is over Kirroughtree's red route. The event starts with the run, followed by the ride, and finishes next to the Visitor Centre. The event can be entered solo for £12 or as a team of two for £24.
Rowan Glen are the main sponsors for the event and it has also been supported by Conifers leisure Park, and Galloway Holidays.
Entries for either competition can be downloaded from www.thebreakpad.com or just drop by the shop. For further information on either event, phone 01671 401303 or 07813826432.
As part of the 7stanes arts project, seven sculpted 'stanes' have been created and placed around the 7stanes forests. The sculptures reflect local myths and legends and can be accessed on bike, on foot or by horse.
To mark the stanes' arrival, we're running a couple of competitions. You'll get full details on the arts project page and for details of the stanes themselves see the revised what are the 7stanes? page.
You may have spotted several diggers beavering away at Glentress since the start of the year. Here's what's happening:
- 4.5km of new trail, including a new blue-graded descent (two sections) as an alternative to Falla Brae. Open by early May.
- Tweaks and an extension to Dougie Bank Climb - also open by early May.
- New singletrack climb to the Buzzards Nest car park (est. opening end June).
These new sections of climb will take the outward route up to the Buzzards Nest almost completely off the forest road, providing an easier and more enjoyable climb for everyone. Overall, these additions will create more ride options from the trail head, especially for novices, familes and kids.
The works are being funded through Phase 2 of the 7stanes Project and also Forestry Commission Scotland, which includes the revenue we receive from parking - thank you!
Following the success of the inaugral Dirt Crit Series in 2007, the series returns with 6 events planned over the Summer. Dirt crits are fast, fun off road races that use a short course with multiple laps. It's great fun and a brilliant way for youngsters to try out mountain bike racing. Provisional dates for the series, organised by Peebles Cycling Club, are: 29th May; 5th June; 12th June; 7th August; 14th August; and 21st August - all Thursday evenings. For more info see www.peeblescycling.org , or contact stuart.gillies@tiscali.co.uk or paul.newnham@scottishcycling.com.
Other articles
Harvesting operations will be affecting the red graded 'Ae Line - Scottish Power Renewables Trail' in Ae Forest until late Summer 2008. For safety reasons, sections of the route will have to be diverted during this period. For full details and diversion maps, please see the Ae section of the trail conditions page.
Preliminary work has started at Glentress as part of the new visitor centre development. Two ponds have been drained and a temporary bridge installed to allow construction traffic to access the site. There's more information on the Glentress Peel page.
As at Mabie, there's now a regular weekly mountain bike group at Dalbeattie. Organised by the Hardrock Cycle Club, the group meets on Thursdays at 6.30pm, starting from the Dalbeattie trail head. All abilities welcome. For more details, visit the Hardrock Cycle Club website.
There is a regular weekly mountain bike group running at Mabie on Thursday evenings, meeting at 7pm at The Shed. If you're new to biking there will be qualified leaders present to take you or your kids out. We would prefer if Primary School age kids rode with a parent/gaurdian. For more details call Greg Knowles of Dumfries Cycling Club on 01557 332034, or look at www.ddcc.ik.org.
Run as a partnership between Foresty Commission Scotland and Scottish Borders Council, this project aims to provide an introduction to off road cycling for young people across the Borders.
With a fleet of new bikes, expert On Yer Bike tutors can provide skills sessions for school groups and equipment can also be hired by qualified biking instructors for sessions with local clubs/groups. Contact the On Yer Bike Mountain Bike Ranger for further information on 07926 998121.
Press releases
There's more information on what's happening around the 7stanes in our press releases section.