Kilpatrick Hills

Time for a local jaunt, no need to sit hours in the car, we started at Milngavie, the plan to Head over the Kilpatrick Hills in a loop-like route.



We blagged this route off a What-Mountain-Bike magazine coverdisk, so you would of thought the trail would of been well marked, but it fell a bit short at the end.

The first section from Milngavie to Hardgate is good, head over past Craigtown school to Cochno road, nice bits of wee ST and riding over fields to get the legs warmed up. Just as well, cause the pull up to Greenside reservoir takes its toll. From there you need to get to Loch Humphrey, there are some trails marked just be careful in your choice. Quite boggy riding but certainly easy enough to find your way (hint:follow the pylons).

From Humphrey to Lily you follow a fairly muddy trail, look for the intersection of the stone walls, and don't try and head over Duncolm hill. Stick left. Once past Lily loch the route to Burncrooks is poor at best, heavy riding over boggy moorland. Lots of falling off been done as the front wheels got sucked down. After Burncrooks its standard fire-road trail back onto the WHW to head to Milngavie.

Piccies are here

Summary
Highlight: Down from Craigton to Hardgate
Lowlight: Lily to Burncrooks
Summary: Potential to be a cracker - but a touch too wet and Lily loch section brings it down.
Ride Rating: 6/10

Stats
Date: 17/10/09
Pedaling time: 4.5hrs
Distance: 19miles
Max speed: ?
Total ascent: ?
Total descent: ?
Puncture count: 0
Bike shop: Solid Rock Cycles
Cafe: Lots in Milngavie
Riders: DH,RI, SC

Driving from Glasgow
Distance: 10 miles
Travel time: 15mins
Directions: Google Maps

Kirroughtree

Finding myself down Dumfries way last week, I took the opportunity to pop along to one of the farthest from Glasgow 7 Stanes - Kirroughtree, the home of the infamous McMoab.

Now I had to hire a steed for this jaunt as I didnt take the Dawg with me, but there is a small if functional bike shop at the car park, where they offered to lend me a nice Orange 5, for £40. With my CCard in their mits and my feet on the pedals I headed off to the trails..


Route
I did the Black Craigs route, which is the longest available at the park, which took me around 4hrs. A very nice route, if a touch long for my lardy ass, 95% ST, with only a few dods of fireroad to suffer. McMoab proved far too tricky for me, more a walk over the rocks than a cycle, but a nice diversion from the normal track all the same. This route differed a bit from normal 7Stanes fair, not so many berms or tabletop jumps, more emphasis on single track. Some buggering big hills mind you.

Mr McMoab

Summary
Highlight: "The Twister"
Lowlight: My lack of fitness, I was ready to call it a day with 3km to go.
Summary: Another triumph for the forest commission - shame it is so far away!
Ride Rating: 8/10

Stats
Date: 7/10/09
Pedaling time: 4hrs
Distance: ?
Max speed: ?
Total ascent: ?
Total descent: ?
Puncture count: 0
Bike shop: At the car park (opens from 10am)
Cafe: Lots of choice in Newton Stewart and their is one on site too
Riders: DH

Driving from Glasgow
Distance: 86 miles
Travel time: 2.5hrs
Directions: Google Maps