Reviews for Black Craigs Trail - Kirroughtree

Summary:
trail centres as they should be

Review:
Starting with the facilties, they're excellent, big car park, bike shop, free bike wash including muc off and a cafe, couldn't as for more.

The first part of the Black Crags loop is the the out section of the red, almost all singletrack with plenty of fast sections, your gradually climbing but don't notice it at all. A quick fireroad section takes you to McMoab, this sections pretty famous but unless your very skilled more tricky than fun, a nice challenge though and not something you get everywhere. Nice steep chute to finish as well if your up for it. Then theres the only bit of the trail I don't like, a very sharp climb, however its so bad I just push up. This is where the Black Crags section starts,a nd its effectively downhill flowing singletrack form here all the way back to the car park, the faster you ride the better it is. Trails like this are why I keep an all mountain bike.

The only down side is how far away it is, but that just brings a sense of adventure and susggests a road trip!

Summary:
I truely awesome bike ride

Review:
This trail is fantastic.
You begin and end on the red trail which is the perfect warm up and cool down forthe black trail.
The black trail itself is quality. It has a bit of everything; fast flowing, slow and techy you name it. The McMoab was the icing on the cake for us, even though neighter of us have any real trials skills it was wicked giving it a blast and the fact that the weather was perfect made for some cracking picture opportunities. Another highlight was a dip in the river a few km into the black route, its ht efirst bridge I think, theres a water fall and rock pool which was irresistable on such a hot day.
I wouldn't let the fact that this is a black route put you off if you can ride reds with moderate competency then you should definately go for the combined black and red route, the red route alone is good but needs to linked with the black to make the 3 hour drive worth while, which it most definately is.
The trail itself i give a 10 easily but with contributing factors to this ride ie perfect weather , no mechnical issues and the fact that I realised my fitness was more than enough to enjoy and cope with the entire ride made this probably one of my all time favourite bike rides and a 10+.
Kirroughtree could probably be the best stain its just so far out the way.
Make the effort though you will be rewarded.

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:
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.