Reviews for Kirroughtree Mountain Bike Trails

Summary:
Full on hard route

Review:
The black route is a full on hard route, both hard on bikes and hard on riders. I would personally recommend a full suss bike and knee and elbow pads as essentials. I came across 2 groups of riders both of whom were having mechanical difficulties created by the terrain. It is not a trail you can just granny ring up the climbs either as there are frequent rock features that require you to get out of the saddle and attack them. The McMoab is a unique test of handling skills and you will need to be a very good rider to clear it. I didnt I lost it on the middle section.

After the McMoab you climb Black Craig and dont be tempted to miss out this section because the descent is a peach. Definitely the best feature of the black route. You can go for a good couple of miles with minimal peddling as you descend Black Craig on some excellent flowing singletrack. After crossing the A712 there is more nice singletrack before you hit Hissing Sid and Jaberwocky. These sections are the sting in the tail of the black section both being highly technical rocky descents and for me went just the wrong side of being an enjoyable challenge.

I would definitely put myself up for the challenge of riding this trail again but maybe next time not after 4 hours sleep and driving 200 miles.

Summary:
Great Trail

Review:
I enjoyed the Kirroughtree red a lot. It is a good mixture of flow with the odd technical feature to liven things up. The trail flows so well that almost before I knew it I had ridden through the excellent Rivendell section and faced the dilemma as to whether I should stick to red or do the red/black circuit. In the end I did the whole circuit (which is a pretty challenging run) but most of my favourite sections of trail were on the red. From the point the trails rejoin you finish with a lovely high speed glide through the woods on the aptly named twister.

I would definitely come back to Kirroughtree and that says something in itself as the trail is over an hour beyond the Ae or Dalbeattie trail centres so to persuade me to travel the extra distance the trail must be a bit special. The only dilemma would be whether to do the full arduous Red/Black combo again or blast twice through the red.

Summary:
The best trail in the UK

Review:
Combining the red (twister) and black (black craigs) trails at Kirroughtree gives a magnificent (and fairly long) outing. The trail always flows nicely, the up and downhill sections balance perfectly, and there is a bare minimum of boring fire road to contend with. Of all the UK trails I have ridden this one feels the least man-made. Interesting and technical throughout. Just do it!

Summary:
Worth It for McMoab

Review:
Rode this for the first time around New Years 2008/09 as part of a week riding the 7 Stanes (also did Mabie, Dalbeattie, Ae, Glentress (including Innerleithen)). Did it twice as it was our favourite.

It was very cold & icy when we rode it, which made a great trail even more challenging.

You start on the red trail, then branch off for black, then re-join the red at the end.

You need to watch on the red sections as some which say downhill are actually uphill.

The climbs offer some good technical sections including a short ride up a rock face.

Once you get to the top you get McMoab, if it's your first time then you'll find it difficult to clean it without a dab. This section is totally different from anything else I've ever seen at a trail centre & is great fun.

From here you do a bit of climbing followed by the best of the descents - after this you will find the final red sections can be quite energy sapping.

If you've got the legs the black is much better than the red only.

Summary:
Great XC route, with good balance of uphills and downhills

Review:
I just recently did the whole Twister/Black Craigs circuit with a bunch of friends and the whole route was fantastic. It keeps you grinning all the way round. Nearly every section is well constructed and hasn't deteriorated. It's big bonus, is the fact that you never feel like there have been any killer climbs, yet there are loads of long descents. They make the best use of the gradients.

The Black Craigs has McMoab which is great, but very punishing, requiring some basic trials skills to keep the bike moving without a dab. Heartbreak ridge descent is probably the best on the whole circuit, so don't be tempted to miss it out by riding along the road. the whole red/black circuit requires good fitness.

I'm giving the Black Craigs route only, a 9, but that is only because it's a bit short on it's own.
However, The Whole red/black Twister/Black Craigs circuit would score a 10 for me. It is definitely worth the extra driving distance along the A75.