Trailbuilder Dick Hamilton tests out Glentress's Spooky Wood

Scotland's 7Stanes trailbuilding crew have completed yet another new bit of trail. This time it's Glentress getting the new stuff, which has been partially funded with cash raised from car parking charges introduced over the summer.

The new stretch of trail, known as Spooky Wood, is on Glentress's Red Route. It's inspired by the popularity of the drop and jump-laden Caddon Bank descent on the Traquair XC route, but somewhat mellower. Over Spooky Wood's 1.5km length there's the grand total of 41 launch opportunities, including tabletops, rock drops, doubles (all rollable) and various other jumps. There's also nearly 40 bermed corners, a dozen of them turning through 180°.

The trail was created by Pete Laing and Dick Hamilton. Pete said, "We had so many positive comments about Cadonbank Descent on the Traquair XC route that we were keen to build a slightly toned down version for The Red Route at Glentress. We've taken the no-braking design concept a bit further with long berms on every corner and packed in as much action as possible. All the jumps and drops are 'rollable' so you can gradually introduce yourself to the idea of leaving the ground. Dick has been test pilot all the way through the project and he's done a superb job in making the jumps safe and the trail flow. I'd like to think that Glentress now has Britain's first Jump Academy!"

Sounds like fun, doesn't it? Find out more at www.7stanes.gov.uk.