Reviews for Phoenix Trail - Mabie Forest

Summary:
Excellent trail in all respects ... but!

Review:
Ridden June 2012 after a two year absence. This must be one of the best XC trails in the UK, due to the recently added sections. Varied and nicely technical for a red, fast and swoopy in parts. All in all a fantastic way to spend an afternoon! The only drawback is the poor way marking, which leaves you scratching your head at one or two points, especially towards the end of the trail where there seems to be no logical way back to the car park. One or two extra way marks would improve the enjoyment considerably. Others we spoke to after the ride agreed. Don't let this put you off, though you should be prepared for a bit of deja-vu as you repeat one or two sections (and therefore suffer a wee bit of frustration) 'cos that where the arrows direct you.

Summary:
Great flowing and natural feeling red route

Review:
The easy section at the start of the route, through indigenous woodland is a great start to any route.
Then the climbing begins, but as climbs go this one doesn`t seem tedious. It`s not long before you`re out of the trees and up on the ridge when the first bit of fun begins. The first descent is excellent with some great little jumps on the way down.
Much more of the same follows, with the highlight (for me) been the "Descender Bender". This is a thrilling downhill section with everything from jumps to berms and a nice splash through a refreshing stream at the bottom.

Summary:
Flowing and fast natural trail

Review:
Mabie is a fantastic trail with a little bit of everything. There's super fast open downhill sections with berms and tabletops especially in the recently updated (Sept 10) Descender Bender section. Lots of fun dropoffs and jumps. The best section though is the later half which winds in and out of the mature deciduous woodland closer to Mabie House. Lots of fun rooty sections which can be treacherous in the wet and an exciting rock chute.

Unlike some of the other 7 stanes (Ae, Dalbeattie and Glenstress) there's very little fire road at Mabie. You get a lot of singletrack for your effort.

Summary:
A really enjoyable trail

Review:
I was was very impressed with this trail.
I thought it had just about everything; technical climbs, long sections of flowing downhill with well placed berms and drop offs. It is one of the few trails I have done with stretches of flat single track which was enjoyable putting the pedal down and pushing through them.
I did Kirroughtree and dalbeattie red trails the same weekend and Mabie was my favourite out of the 3. All in all a well balanced trail with 80% single track keeping a grin firmly in place

Summary:
Better For Those Looking to Step Up To Red

Review:
Rode it in January 2009.

What this trail really lacks is elevation. When you approach the centre I found it hard to believe there was actually a centre there. I'm a great believer that you have to climb a bit to get some fun on the downhills and this trail is fairly flat most of the way. This trail would be good for someone who is looking to step up from green/blue trails, but if you're after something challenging, then look elsewhere.