Scottish Borders (7 Stanes) - May 2008

[stevie]

I'm branching this from the Spring 2008 thread so as to avoid it getting lost amongst other trip planning.

The plan is to head for the western Borders around Dumfries, where it should be possible to hit several of the Stanes in a weekend.

Dates: 30th May - 1st June (and an earlier start for anyone who can).
Location: Western Scottish Borders (somewhere near Dumfries)

If you don't know what the 7 Stanes are, take a look here:

http://www.7stanes.gov.uk/
http://www.7stanes.com/


Accommodation shortlist:

http://www.criffelinn.com/
http://www.thebreakpad.com
http://www.barnsoulfarm.co.uk
http://www.therondo.co.uk/
http://www.littleculmain.co.uk/
http://www.7stanes.com/solway-view-wigwams-i601300.html
http://www.7stanes.com/mtb-friendly-bbs-c148.html


More details to come as we determine best places to stay based on numbers. So please let me know whether I can add your name.

Probables so far (and whether they are confirmed):

Stephen Masters :D
Jon Hodd
Ruth Hodd
Andy Couzens

[andy]

Howdy, I thought it was the weekend before (bank holiday weekend)?

Is it definitely May 31st/1st June?

On a good note, my forks and shock are on their way back from TFT, fingers crossed they are now slippier than a barrel full of eels else I'll be gutted having wasted £198. At least I suppose they will be easier to sell now!

any anyone recommend a headset, thought I may as well put on a new one while its all in bits..

[stevie]

31st-1st was the original plan. Although I'm thinking of heading up for the whole week, so it might not matter if you can't make the 31st. It sounds as though Jon can make either (or both) too.

Best everyone makes up their minds quickly! Which weekend is it to be?

[jon]

weekend before is a bank hol - might be harder to get accommodation that weekend

[andy]

True.
Just wanted to make sure of the dates.

Slightly OT but..

Got my stuff back from TFT today, the forks feel a lot better. :p:

Apparently the bushings were very tight so the guy has machined them to allow the fork to be plush - they said thats why they felt stiff and weren't active and only getting a couple of inch travel!

Can't really tell on the 5th until I get out on it at the weekend.

[jon]

right i have some days to spend so i'm going to book that last week in may off.

i'm going to be pretty broke as am hoping to start a PADI open water course soon with a view to doing a referral and completing the course on a holiday in june

[ruth]

http://wigwamholidays.com/Gorsebank_Wigwams

These wigwams say they have secure bicycle storage and a cycle wash area, sounds like they are right next to dalbeattie forest, though i think that was the route I hadn't liked!

I'll be there I'm sure, but not for longer than a weekend, I haven't got as much holiday as Jon

[andy]

They look pretty funky! I'm not sure I'd want to go in one over winter though ;)

[jon]

There is an uplift service running at Innerleithen on the 31st May - tickets are £32 each

http://www.upliftscotland.com/collections/may

[stevie]

A session on the last day at Innerleithen sounds like fun. We would have to set off early, but we could treat it as a stop on the way home. It's not that far to the A1 after a day at Innerleithen.

[jon]

Ruth's going to come up for the first weekend so i'll need to skank a lift back down of you stevie :)

Matt's still not sure of his final plans, but has suggested that innerleithen/glentress is most definitely worth considering visiting.

[jon]

Well what a fantastic trip - Newcastleton, Mabie, Kirroughtree, Dalbeattie, Ae, Glentress and Innerleithen all got a visit!

Newcastleton and Mabie were just as I remembered them, Dalbeattie was better than I remembered and Ae not as good - the trail seems to have suffered some very heavy errosion, especially on Granny Green Luv and it spoilt the descent and the climb that follows immediately after. I'll be putting up a blog entry soon to detail my thoughts on the trails and I hope others will follow suit :-)

Pics from my cam are up in the gallery (http://www.mtb-thrashers.com/forums/gallery2.php?g2_itemId=1661), stevie has some to add at some point too!

[jon]

Andy - any news on the knee??

[stevie]

Some additional photos are up there now. :)