Time to Get Out and About

The weather's not great but it's time to get back out on the bike after an extended lay off since the snow (and associated unhealthy living) arrived at the tail end of last year.



Why the panic? Well ever since someone signed us up for 10 @ Kirroughtree a few hours ago it suddenly seems like a good idea to put foot to pedal.

OK, so it'll be less brutal than Relentless 24 but a 10 hour mountain bike round Galloway Forest Park at the start of June (that's like only 3 months away) needs some sadle time pronto.

Just glad I don't need to finish building my bike first.

Kirroughtree

Finding myself down Dumfries way last week, I took the opportunity to pop along to one of the farthest from Glasgow 7 Stanes - Kirroughtree, the home of the infamous McMoab.

Now I had to hire a steed for this jaunt as I didnt take the Dawg with me, but there is a small if functional bike shop at the car park, where they offered to lend me a nice Orange 5, for £40. With my CCard in their mits and my feet on the pedals I headed off to the trails..


Route
I did the Black Craigs route, which is the longest available at the park, which took me around 4hrs. A very nice route, if a touch long for my lardy ass, 95% ST, with only a few dods of fireroad to suffer. McMoab proved far too tricky for me, more a walk over the rocks than a cycle, but a nice diversion from the normal track all the same. This route differed a bit from normal 7Stanes fair, not so many berms or tabletop jumps, more emphasis on single track. Some buggering big hills mind you.

Mr McMoab

Summary
Highlight: "The Twister"
Lowlight: My lack of fitness, I was ready to call it a day with 3km to go.
Summary: Another triumph for the forest commission - shame it is so far away!
Ride Rating: 8/10

Stats
Date: 7/10/09
Pedaling time: 4hrs
Distance: ?
Max speed: ?
Total ascent: ?
Total descent: ?
Puncture count: 0
Bike shop: At the car park (opens from 10am)
Cafe: Lots of choice in Newton Stewart and their is one on site too
Riders: DH

Driving from Glasgow
Distance: 86 miles
Travel time: 2.5hrs
Directions: Google Maps