I have heard a few postings about the dark side at mabie being dangerous etc. Having ridden mabie for years, i was wondering, where the hell is it on the route. I havent got the foggiest as to where it is in relation to the course.

I have never been, but apparently its very far away from any track, like at least a mile.

Basically its lots of crazy north shore and its quite high etc, so i have been told.

http://john-henry.fotopic.net/c161669.html

Some not very good pics. As ususal with a pic it does not really show detail to it`s full extreme. And this stuff is extreme considering my skill levels.

If you are not a skilled, full body armour wearing acrobat then this stuff is to be avoided IMO

Why is there no beginner(safe)practice stuff being built. It seems to be being built by people who can do it with the attitude that you have to just get up/onto it and it will all be OK(Not)

cant seem to open the pictures. From what i could make out from the smaller pictures it looks like its similar to the other wooden sections earlier in the course (I may be wrong). If it is like that, about 1-2 foot wide wooden slats its very easy. or is it more like the log that is chopped in half and you ride on the flat section. That might be dangerous considering the landing area. Again, where will it be in relation to the red route.

If you know Mabie its over the crest at the long drag and down the other side and fork left for the loch over there on that hillside.

Bits are fairly high but the landing if you fell is on rocks - hmmmm.

I can see local sales of armour going up and the A&E dept at the hospital enjoying it!! Not open properly yet but soon apparantly.

Easy? Really depends on your skill level(+bottle)
It would be good to have some safe practice area like they do for skiing.

It is narrow, twisty, off camber, has drops and the odd log and boulder to negotiate.Much steeper than pics can show.

I broke my collar bone last yr and have no wish to do so again, or maybe I`m just too old/past it!!!!!!!!

it looks pretty easy to me too :O)

found it this weekend. Its a bit off the beaten track to be honest. Thanks for the help.

Yeah it is. but once the body armour brigade find it there is an alternative entrance via Troston Rd at the fishermans gate-park at troston forest entranc do not block Mabie entrance, used by the horsey types and fishermen accessing loch. You will be going against Blue route traffic.

Or a hike`n bike up from the Beeswing to New Abbey Rd via the Blue route, turning left at junction at top of hill