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ROX! Yep, there's rock in that thar forest. Tons of it. You HAVE to ride over it. Some of it's quite tricky. Some of it is easy if you go hard enough. You probably know what I think of hardtails but suspension really does make terrain like this much easier to ride on. And travelling too slowly can allow the splits in the granite to grab and twist your tyres. Most of it is great fun, although we haven't tried it in the wet.

The Slab seems to put most people off by it's sheer presence, but really, once you've pushed yourself over the lip it's a good experience. You have to keep your bike straight up-and-down and cross the ruts rather than ride with them. Not the place for the gravitationally challenged. If we'd stayed a bit longer I'm sure most of the party would have given it a shot, but they decided to practice at Chopwell and come back better prepared. Below, we rest at Dalbeattie. Those views are to die for (came pretty close myself!).

The Terrible Twins almost caught me out. I was past them before I knew they were there, but seeing a bunch of riders off their bikes discussing something made me curious so I turned back. I was just approaching the top of Twin One when one of those riders mounted up and headed towards the lip. Obviously (!) he had had a good snifta and was happy with his approach, so I just steamed over the edge in his wheeltracks, full of confidence after defeating The Slab.

Gollum is a Moron, Gollum is a Mo-o-ro-on (sing the song, punk people). Not only was said rider a bit unsteady, but he trashed himself at the bottom. And not having seen The Twins and the hollow gap between them, I almost did the same. Lucky escape for once by dabbing an outstretched leg (Ok, I panicked). Clipless pedals - not!

A bit further on my luck ran out, however, and the "X" marks the spot I duffed my right wrist, in the last of the day, yet again, by not paying attention and/or showing off. Pic shows Dave.

Overall, yet another great 7Stanes trail which I would urge anyone who likes Mountain Biking to have a go at.

Next Dalbeattie Ride May 30th2005        Sept 24th 2006