Ballinastoe

[johnh]

I tried out the MTB trail at Ballinastoe the weekend before last - what a winner! To be honest, I didn't expect much, and the sign posting didn't raise my expectations any.

We rode the trail once, went for lunch and then did it again, which was about 5 hours riding wince I was markedly slower on the second 14km lap. I've ridden Kirroughtree a few times, and I'd say this was comparable, but even more enjoyable. There is one section of trail just after the half way point which is one of the most enjoyable sections of singletrack that I've ever ridden anywhere.

Outside of rush hour I'm hoping I'll be able to make the drive there in under 2.5 hours next time.

Highly recommended. Less tiring than geting up at 4am to get the ferry to Kirroughtree.

[ST Colin]

I can't wait to get down on the 20th June :D

[simon]

just wait till you get the new bike down there john

we did door to door (forrestside to ballianastoe) in 2 hours one monday morning leaving at 10, 4 hours at the trails and home by seven (hit rush hour on the way back on the n50)

headed down again next wednesday

[suspectmonkey]

Would like to check out these trails myself, although would be tempted to camp overnight nearby so could enjoy a BBQ after :). I take it if you've ridden Kirroughtree red you would be happy enough on these trails?

[beechill_banty]

I tried out the MTB trail at Ballinastoe the weekend before last - what a winner! To be honest, I didn't expect much, and the sign posting didn't raise my expectations any.

We rode the trail once, went for lunch and then did it again, which was about 5 hours riding wince I was markedly slower on the second 14km lap. I've ridden Kirroughtree a few times, and I'd say this was comparable, but even more enjoyable. There is one section of trail just after the half way point which is one of the most enjoyable sections of singletrack that I've ever ridden anywhere.

Outside of rush hour I'm hoping I'll be able to make the drive there in under 2.5 hours next time.

Highly recommended. Less tiring than geting up at 4am to get the ferry to Kirroughtree.

Yeah, went down there with Mrs BB over easter and had a cracking time - I think the stretch of singletrack you mention is awesome and you do cover a lot of ground very quickly :-) This one? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZONRaf8aRo&feature=related
One of the things i liked about it was that the climbing is more or less all done on forest roads/doubletrack - the reason I liked it is that we could beat our way uphill and chat the whole way - it's a substantially more sociable way of doing the bit I get the least enjoyment from.

We stayed in Roundwood which was great too :-)

[simon]

oddly the thing I least like about it is the fireroad climps. that's what I love about kirroughtree, so much of the climbing is flowy and a wee bit technical

before you realise it you're at the top

[JAC]

Same question, how does it compare with K/trees red? Severe sounds just a little more intimidating than Red

[ryan]

I love Ballinastoe. So fast and flowy. Not technical as Simon says but fun. The weather can be inclement at it though.

[simon]

if you can ride the red tou'll be fine, it's not severe just possibly a bit rockier than reds in scotlad, not quite a black

the other wierd thing is it's normally faster when wet as when it dries out and gets a bit loose there's nowhere near the same grip into and through the corners

[ryan]

It's comparable with KTree red with no big drops/step downs etc. Wee buns.

[beechill_banty]

Apart from struggling with the rocks on some of the early singletrack sections, Mrs BB (totally inexperienced) coped with everything and really dug the descents. No more severe than K'tree red or vast majority of Dalbeattie. Lots of fun.

[suspectmonkey]

Sounds great. I wanna go. Now :)

I quite like the climbs at Kirroughtree as well, I think whats great about them is that you do a bit of climbing, and are rewarded with a bit of descending, bit more climbing, bit more descending. Kind of keeps the momentum going and means you can keep pushing on knowing its worth the effort. Especially considering I'm not the most efficient or energetic rider on earth ;)

[ST Colin]

Sounds great. I wanna go. Now :)


Me too, I might try an arrange to get down before the 20th of June, so i'm not too far behind everyone

[pa-system]

Think I'd be up for this one if you're accepting tag-alongs! I've never been and would like to give it a wee run

[ST Colin]

See the rides section mate, there's a thread in there about the 20th June. Hopefully Stephen aka penguinman and Ben will come along too.

If I decide to head down before hand, i'll stick a thread up. A newbie day out :D

[keyserni]

Ballinastoe is great fun pity we have to travel all the way down to Dublin to do it. Thinking off bringing both bikes next time and hitting sugerloaf again and then Ballinastoe but there's so much riding down there you really need a local to show you even a fraction of it.

[MartyMcFly]

A few of us heading down next Thursday (28th)
See rides forum :)

[JAC]

Ironic. I'll be down that way on 20th June but no chance of getting near a bike. Quite fancy the idea of a trip there instead of booking Scotland again.