Autumn has definitely arrived at the 7stanes - leaves are beginning to turn, and there's a freshness in the air. Perfect riding conditions!
Mabie
The Mabie Skills Park is due to reopen on Friday 19th October with changes to a couple of jumps on the freeride line and an amazing 121m tree-to-tree northshore line.
Dalbeattie
At Dalbeattie, the logs that had floated away are back in place again, with the middle log upping the ante - it's higher up now to let water flow underneath!
Ae
Good news at Ae - the harvesting operation diversions on the Ae line are finished and the route is fully open once again. The construction of 3km of new, red-graded singletrack has begun, due to open in December, and the new Blue route will be open in early November - keep an eye on the website for details. The construction of an exciting downhill skills area begins shortly - it's also due to open in December, so watch out for that.
Newcastleton and Innerleithen
In the Borders, meanwhile, trailbuilding work began on 1st October. At Newcastleton there will be 2km of new blue/red singletrack and Innerleithen will get 2-3 km of singletrack. Both due to open by 2008.
There will be signage in place soon for the Cross Border Route between Newcastleton and our neighbours over the border at Kielder, creating a waymarked ride from Newcastleton to Kielder or vice versa - fantastic news for making a weekend of your trip to Newcastleton.
Kielder opened a new red grade trail a couple of weeks ago - awesome views out in the open when you get to the top of the climb, and lots of swoopy singletrack on the descent.
Innerleithen Uplift
Uplift services at Innerleithen are getting more and more popular, with the 100 places filling up very quickly. The service runs fortnightly until Christmas. Booking details on www.upliftscotland.com.
There's now food available on site as well, with Uplift Scotland trying out a few different companies. Any feedback on food providers is welcomed on the Uplift Scotland forum.
The next uplift weekend is 20-21st October.
New MTB rangers at Glentress
Two new full time MTB rangers are now in place to support Andy Wardman, working at Glentress, Innerleithen and Newcastleton.
Their duties range from trail repair works to working on events and a general presence on site for information and advice.
Andy Weir, a new arrival to the area and Richard Hamilton, an old hand in the Tweed valley, will be out and about so please have a word when you see them on the trails.
New Facilities at Ae
The development of an Ae 7stanes centre is moving forward with the imminent refurbishment of one of Forestry Commission Scotland's offices at the site.
The new centre will include showers and toilets as well as a Bike Shop and Café. The Bike Shop/ Café business opportunity details were publicised over the summer and there were 34 expressions of interest. Formal submissions for the Bike Shop and Café leases will be reviewed during October, with the selection of the new tenant or tenants expected by the beginning of November.
The toilets and shower facilities are due to open early in the New Year while the new businesses are hoped to be up and running before Easter 08.
www.7stanes.com
