British Cycling

Venue: Drumlanrig Castle, nr Dumfries
Your Guide: Neil Walker
Neil's Bike: Giant VT2

Armed with his new Giant VT (left) , Neil Walker visited the spectacular Drumlanrig Castle to explore the local trails and he discovered that the venue for a couple of recent NPS Cross-Country events has a lot to offer the Mountain Biker looking for something a bit special.

Drumlanrig Castle, and the surrounding Buccleuch Estate, are a hidden gem in the mountain-biking-jewellery-shop that is Dumfries and Galloway. Drumlanrig is steeped in cycling history, both ancient, and recent. Kirkpatrick Macmillan (the designer of the first pedal propelled bicycle in 1840) worked as a blacksmith here, before inventing the bicycle in his smithy in Keir, a few miles away.

Since the early days of MTB racing Drumlanrig has played host to Scottish racers, and in 2002 opened its doors to the National Points Series. The trail constructed for the 2002 event was way-marked, and then extended to provide the red and black trails.

Before you visit, forget everything you know about MTB trails in Dumfries and Galloway: Drumlanrig provides the perfect antidote to the groomed gravel trails of the 7 Stanes project. Principal trail designer, Rik Allsop prefers a more organic method of building – keep riding until a trail exists, then shore up the bits that collapse, and maybe throw in a bridge or two over the boggy bits (or a 5 foot deep, 10 foot wide gulley!) – And the result? Fantastic flowing singletrack over earthy, rooty ground that will provide a challenge for everyone.

There are 4 way-marked routes in the estate. Route 7 (Auchenknight Adventure Route) is suitable for everyone, and uses forest roads, and private tarmac roads. The views in the Nith Valley are amazing, especially of the castle. Route 6 (The Nith Linns Loop) provides 6 miles of mixed forest path and singletrack, and is suitable for beginner to intermediate MTBers. Some of the optional sections give a great opportunity to test your skill and gain confidence.

Route 5 (red graded) “Championship Loop” incorporates the trail used for the Trek 6,4,2 Enduro in 2004, and links together 10 miles of tight, twisting singletrack, covering testing short climbs (nothing longer than 2-3 minutes), rocky sections, and flowing descents.

If the roots and rocks of the red route weren’t enough for you, Rik has been working on the black graded route, which piggy-backs onto the red route, adding a further 5 miles to the total.

These new sections require caution – throwing in some tougher climbs, including the lung bursting TT climb (which has a little surprise at the top – a 10 foot long, 5 foot high, and 4 inch wide “skinny” bridge – not for the faint hearted!) As a result of these climbs, the descents get longer, and a bit gnarlier, with some bigger rock gardens (natural ones!), and really rooty corners that will keep you guessing.

These trails really are a hidden treasure, and are well worth the visit, and the £3 entry fee. The constructed trails of the 7 Stanes provide an accessibility that mountain biking has never had, but Drumlanrig brings it back to its roots (in more ways than one), providing superb natural trails, that give the way-marked access of the big MTB areas.

For more information, or to arrange bike hire, visit www.drumlanrig.com, or phone Rik at Riks Bike Shed (on site shop and bicycle museum) on 01848 330 080).