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Post by robmanns2007 on May 28, 2009 21:45:30 GMT
OK, we are leaving Thursday morning but need to decide what time to set off. I dont like following someone or being followed so it might be best to set off 10 minutes apart and meet up at the services along the way for lunch - not sure how others feel about this? We need to decide what time to leave and plan our route. Ideas welcome. We are staying just outside Dumfries here www.greenhead-holidays.co.uk/index.htmlComments please There is still one place available - PM if you wanna come and i'll give you the costings
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Post by davebus on May 31, 2009 18:50:17 GMT
Hi Rob, Place looks great. As the drive is only gonna take 6-7 hours what time do you think we should leave Thursday?
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Post by robmanns2007 on May 31, 2009 19:03:10 GMT
I'd say about 9am
What do others think?
We can call each other en route to arrange a meet for lunch ?
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dave
Endurance Rider
Posts: 791
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Post by dave on May 31, 2009 21:29:54 GMT
Well I guess we need to either leave before the rush, or after it. If we try and leave before it getting on the M25 by 7am would be okay, but then we will hit the rush around Birmingham instead. So if we want the best chance of missing the worst of the traffic we need to leave by 6am.
Either way I'm not that bothered, but I'd probably prefer to aim to have the car loaded up and ready to go at 9am.
If both cars leave at roughly the same time, there's no harm in checking progress with the other car at around lunchtime, but no point in half of us having to hang around at a service station for ages whilst the others catch up, so we can eat overpriced service station sh!te together. I'd rather just meet at the house and crack open the beers a bit earlier!
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terry
FreeRider
Posts: 1,212
Faster on: his latest bike
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Post by terry on May 31, 2009 22:04:08 GMT
Hi, I would prefer to leave early and get passed Birmingham before the Morning rush. I often spend hours on the M25 and agree you need to hit it by 6am latest. It can take 1 hr to do the first 15miles in the traffic. I agree with Dave in that I just like to get there and start to chill with a couple of beers. Rather join up with everyone at the house unless timing works out. Might even get a couple of hours in early evening to loosen the legs up.
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Post by robmanns2007 on Jun 1, 2009 7:29:42 GMT
okay then
from reading the above i would summarise that Davebus and Terry will be leaving dead early!
Dave Richard and myself will be leaving at 9am and will meet you at the house in Dumfries
when we get there it might be an idea to go to the local supermarket and buy a few beers and get some food for breakfasts and evening meals
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Post by muddyfox on Jun 1, 2009 8:42:08 GMT
9am is good for me. Don't forget, we are heading for Dumfries which is here so Davebus and Terry, if you get to Fort William you have driven about 180 miles and four hours too far! Last time we went we did one of the red routes (easy route) in the evening which was a nice leg stretcher and an introduction to the trails. however, tht was when we were sstaying near to Glentress whic his the biggest trail centre so I'm not sure what the nearest centre is to Dumfries. Failing that, shopping and beers will be ok
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Post by robmanns2007 on Jun 1, 2009 8:48:32 GMT
If we do get a chance to do a ride when we get there, Mabie is the closest. I think there is a short loop there and if thats not possible , there is a play area with rock gardens and other stuff to practice skills.
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Post by robmanns2007 on Jun 1, 2009 8:51:39 GMT
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Post by muddyfox on Jun 1, 2009 11:35:55 GMT
looks good, 90 minutes to ride and then beer o'clock!
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Post by robmanns2007 on Jun 1, 2009 18:35:30 GMT
Post code for Greenhead Lodge is DG2 0JT
Its 4 miles or so out of dumfries on the B729
Apparently there is a cream coloured ribbon tied on the lamp post opposite the driveway you need to turn up on the right hand side!
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Post by robmanns2007 on Jun 1, 2009 20:27:24 GMT
Suggested schedule ( I have tried to give the best balance of trails vs. milage!)
Thursday pm - Mabie Phoenix route
Friday - Ae Line route followed by Mabie Phoenix roue (hone those skills!)
Saturday - Kirroughtree Black Craigs route followed by Dalbeattie Hardrock trail
Sunday - Glentress Blue route am followed by black route pm
Monday - Glentress Red route am followed by Innerleithen Minch Moor trail pm
Tuesday - Newcastleton Red route am, then home via M6 at Gretna
For those driving here are the postcodes for each trail centre and where we are based
Greenhead Lodge DG2 0JT
DG2 8HB MABIE
DG1 1QB AE
DG8 7BE KIRROUGHTREE
DG5 4QU DALBEATTIE
EH45 8NB GLENTRESS
EH44 6PD INNERLEITHEN
TD9 0TD NEWCASTLETON
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dave
Endurance Rider
Posts: 791
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Post by dave on Jun 1, 2009 20:53:58 GMT
Hey Rob - can you print those postcodes and bring them along please? Ta.
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Post by robmanns2007 on Jun 1, 2009 23:08:56 GMT
will do!
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Post by muddyfox on Jun 2, 2009 20:49:45 GMT
righty ho. Just got in form the garage where I was servicing my Fox Vanilla forks.
Full strip down, degrease (especially the spongy seal wipe that I didn't degrease last time and has been pumping out the black stuff on my left fork leg since then).
Rebuilt and fresh new oil in and all ready for Thursday, can't wait.
Can I suggest that we all take a few simple tools each? No need to agree but those of you who need shock piumps, bring one of those, I will bring decent allen keys, some grease and a few other bits.
Oh, and my neighbour suggests some anti-midge cream/repellant. Anyone got any?
Some sun tan lotion may be a good idea too.
~Found a few beers in my garage too, will bring those to get us going! :-)
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easynow
Endurance Rider
[Mo0:1][ss:moaningcas]
Posts: 766
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Post by easynow on Jun 2, 2009 22:31:13 GMT
Oh, and my neighbour suggests some anti-midge cream/repellant. Anyone got any? From previous holiays in the Scotchland mountains, I can tell you that if you are someone who tends to get bitten, in the evenings you almost certainly will. The most effective repellents contain diethyltoluamide, otherwise known as DEET. You can get an extra strength Jungle Formula brand which is 50% DEET and lasts for about 10 hours from most chemists. The last time I bought some I got it from the large Boots in Epsom. If I recall it was about £6. I would also recommend some Wasp-Eze spray to get rid of the itching if you do get bitten. Hope that helps someone
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Post by robmanns2007 on Jun 3, 2009 7:10:48 GMT
mor egood news
met check shows each day at each location for our chosen trails, the weather will be slightly cloudy with som esun, bit no rain!
there will be some overnight showers but the trail centres can handle this no problem as the drainage is so good (generally!)
perfect
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Post by waggers on Jun 4, 2009 11:15:52 GMT
Have a great trip guys. Am sooooooooooooo jealous.
2 recommendations from my trip: 1. Definitely put 1/2 day aside to play at the Glentress bike park. 2. When you do the 1st Spooky Woods descent (finishes with a small table top and then cross over a b/w to rejoin single track) you can turn right along the b/w then take 1st right up a steep incline to do it again, and again and again...
Looking forward to seeing vids and piccies
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Post by timk on Jun 4, 2009 14:06:55 GMT
I agree, the bike park is excellent. Just remembered, on the Innerleithen XC trail, I'd recommend taking the red route down and avoiding the black options. The red has technical bits and flows well. The black is a bit of a fricking nightmare in places and doesn't flow very well.
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Post by muddyfox on Jun 5, 2009 15:12:22 GMT
An update:
Terry and Davebus arrived at lunchtime on Thursday and the rest of us at 4-30pm to find that T n D had been shopping.
After settling in we decided to do the nearest trail which is Mabie.
A really nice armoured trail with lots of boardwalk sections, not much climbing but some cracking descents.
I had done a lot of the driving and felt a bonk coming on so after some refreshment carried on but I wasn't at my best.
We completed the trail (11 miles) and then someone unwisely suggested the skills section. We went to have a look and were just about to finish all rolling down the 4cross course when Terry failed to realise he was approaching a big double and cased the landing flying along about 15 feet over the bars and landing on his knees, face and my camera which he was carrying briefly.
Cue a lot of blood and moaning. We ended up in A&E with him and he had two stitches in his chin and one above his eyebrow. His knee is very swollen but basically ok. My camera is f+cked.
We left him at home today. after A late start due to heavy rain we rode Dalbeattie. A really great rocky ride which is 19 miles long. Just completed it and are on the way to Ae to give that a go.
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Post by Huey on Jun 5, 2009 16:04:37 GMT
"Old men who should know better" ;D Heal up soon Terry, hope you get out again before you have to come back A visit to the chemist for Savlon, melanin and stretchy tape sounds in order!
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Cas
Gnarly Dude
Above the cloud's[ss:moaningcas][Mo0:0]
Posts: 2,265
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Post by Cas on Jun 5, 2009 19:10:39 GMT
So sorry to hear about the camera I hope Davebus still has his ? And I hope Terry is insured (so he can replace your s , Muddy !!!!) Rob......I thought I told you guys to be careful
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Post by muddyfox on Jun 6, 2009 10:45:43 GMT
What a day McTavish!
We set out on the 24km Ae trail. Me n Rob rode it last time but I couldn't remember much of it
A more typical trail centre switchback climb thru the woods set us up for the first set of swooping descents and with the sun finally breaking through it was great fun.
This trail is more free flowing and less technical than Dalbeattie but there were still some massive rock gardens and big bermed rocky descents. There is more climbing involved too and some rather high and narrow boardwalk/north shore sections that we all thankfully negotiated.
The problems started when Davebus had his first puncture. A longish change of tube before setting off again and another rocky section led to another pinch flat for him.
We had started at 5pmish and the early evening bought the midges out in hordes as we tried in vain to slap them away.
Another boardwalk section with a largish drop at the end saw Dave W jump it but pinch flatted on the landing.
This led to a comedy of errors as fist off the valve flew out the spare tube just as he finished the repair. He then split the second tube in a hasty attempt at levering on his wire beaded tyres and a third tube lost its valve too in a series of ham fisted repairs caused by clouds of midges swarming all over us.
By the time we set off again only for davebus to flat again on 'The Edge' section the sun was dangerously low in the sky and we were only halfway round the trail.
After consulting the map we rode to the end of the next section which offered us a shortcut home via fireroad and then linking onto the blue trail.
We finally arrived back at the cars at 9pm. Two hours riding 16 miles and two hours spent on repairs.
Not to detract from the trail tho, it was superb and its a shame we coulnt finish it.
I'm currwntly sitting in the back of Dave's Volvo on the way to Kirroughtree, most peoples favourite trail centre (recent thread on STW).
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easynow
Endurance Rider
[Mo0:1][ss:moaningcas]
Posts: 766
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Post by easynow on Jun 6, 2009 18:15:09 GMT
Wow. Ouch. Terry I hope you are feeling a little better today. Doubles are dangerous bastards. I dont like them myself. Was the camera rolling or was it in a pocket? Even though its broken you can still get the data from it. As for everyone else, enjoy the trails. To steal a phrase from this months MBUK: Enjoy the scorched earth, but dont get burned. Ride safe
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Post by Uncle Riotous on Jun 7, 2009 10:28:59 GMT
Guys from everything I'm seeing above remind me never to go on a weekend away with you, apart from anything else I'd bankrupt myself on inner tubes.
Hope Terry gets better soon.
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Nowhere
Freeride God
Currently stressing over wireless triggers not doing their job.. 10 Days and Counting
Posts: 2,804
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Post by Nowhere on Jun 7, 2009 10:59:20 GMT
Grrrrrrr Buggers ! All I can do is look at pictures at the moment, Read mags and Polish my bikes, Rub it in why don't you Grrrrrrr Hope you have a great time lol
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Post by muddyfox on Jun 7, 2009 11:07:24 GMT
Well that's Kirroughtree cracked (yesterday pm) and all agreed the best trail so far.
22 miles of red n black graded trails and they are fantastic. More free flowing than other centres but still plenty of big rock gardens to negotiate.
I also cleaned my nemesis from last time, the steep roll in down the side of Mcmoab.
A steep lomg climb at the far end ofthe trail is rewarded with a flowing, rocky descent, all black graded that goes on for almost 3 miles.
Am almost at Glentress and will tackle the red n black route here. Terry is with us today altho not sure which trail he will ride.
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Post by timk on Jun 8, 2009 9:52:14 GMT
Sounds like an eventful ride. Did any of you try the Darkside trail at Mabie? Would be interested to see what you thought of it.
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Post by muddyfox on Jun 8, 2009 16:33:15 GMT
Glentress was ridden yesterday, a touch over 20 miles. Some long winding shallow climbs at the start (fun) followed by soem long steep climbs further in (not fun) and Davebus's freehub gave up. Not a surprise really as we all now it has been knackered on some of the LOMAC rides and he hasn't had it serviced either. This saw him push up the long climb to the outlook in a light rain but as it was granny gear for all of us except Terry who was back in the saddle then he wasn't far behind us.
After all of us went down on Britney Spears (sloppy seconds anyone?) the busmeister then took the emergency exit back to the hub cafe and bike shop.
The rest of us pushed on and there were some long rocky descents folloed by longer leg burning climbs but me n rob rode it all unlike our last visit in 2006.
The final black descents are hair raising and then onto the red descent which is rerally fast. me n rob caught up with Terry and were buzzing his back wheel until he pulled over to let us past. Rob thanked him but I was full of adrenalin and shouted 'yeah! Get outta the way old man!'
Of course I didn't mean it and instantly felt guilty but Tezza took it well and told me to eff off at the bottom...
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Post by muddyfox on Jun 8, 2009 16:52:04 GMT
So that was yesterday (sunday) and we couldn't face another long car trip to visit Innerleithen so we decided to go back to Dalbeattie this morning as We all enjoyed it and Terry had missed it earlier on in the trip. We all had a great ride and davebus has really developed his technical skills being much closer to us on the rocky descents whilst green orange dave has proved to be a freeride god tackling all of the black runs/rocky slabs. Went back to Ae this afternoon to finish off the end of the route we had to miss the other day. Only 8 miles, five of them uphill on a fireroad climb but it was worth it for the bermed, rocky 3 mile descent with tabletop, drops and doubles aplenty. All made it safely to the bottom. Talkimg of bottoms, why do. Group of blokes fart so much? We are off for a curry tonight too so the accomodation will whiff in the morning.
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