Glentrool Big Country Trail on hybrids?

[athenanike5]

My mother and I are spending next week in the Isle of Whithorn, not too far from the Forest of Galloway and are taking our bikes (a Specialized Vita and a Specialized Vita Elite). We are both enthusiastic but not hugely experienced cyclists. I am looking into some possible cycle routes in the area and we are hoping to drive the bikes up to Glentrool and do something round there. The Big Country Trail is connected with the 7 stanes mountainbiking routes, but is described as "ungraded - forest road and similar. Mostly on forest roads and some minor roads. No singletrack, 3.5 - 7 hours to ride. Strenuous." (http://7stanes.avian.co.uk/Beginners-Guide/Trails-At-A-Glance) The fact sheet (http://7stanes.avian.co.uk/7stanes/media/downloads/7stanes-Fact-Sheet-May2011.pdf) has the following to say under 'forest road and similar':

Suitable for: Cyclists in good health. Map reading useful (routes not always marked)*. Most bikes.
Trail: Gradients can vary. Surfaces may be uneven or potholed in places. Look out for vehicles& other users.

I'm hoping this means that it should be doable on our bikes, with possibly the occasional section that is a bit uncomfortable where we might decide to get off and push (we have no problem with doing that a little, but obviously if it were to happen too much it would take forever). The real problem is that, by our standards, this would be a seriously long & tough cycle. I'd love to try it, if it's practical - it should be beautiful - but I really, really don't want to get 3/4 of the way round and discover it's totally impassable. Is there anyone here who has actually cycled this route and can offer their opinion?


*We have the OS Explorer map of the area.

 

[jefmcg]

Did you google it? This is a couple of years old, but pretty detailed.

http://bike-trails.travellerspoint.com/1/f

 

[fixedfixer]

I biked it last year on a bike with 20" wheels (don't ask) Anyway was ok, bit rough in places and where they had been logging the trucks had made deep ruts but only for short sections. Very enjoyable day out. Take plenty of food and drink 'cus not much to be found on route. Oh and the chocolate cake in the Glentrool cafe was good - I'd have an extra slice for doing the whole route.

 

[athenanike5]

I did a lot of googling and found a fair bit of information (including that page, but thank you anyway); I still wasn't sure how fairly light-weight hybrid bikes with relatively narrow, smooth tyres would cope, though. fixedfixer, were the 20" wheels also narrow? It sounds from what you say as if they were...

We will definitely take plenty of provisions, if we try it. The chocolate cake sounds like a must!