This weekend at Ae Forest in Dumfries will see 300 of the Worlds top riders descend on one of Scotland’s best downhill race venues for round one of the National Points Series.

The Dirt crew will be there giving out some freebies to some lucky people, one of us will be filming the event for the Dirt website, and Ralph “wreckin ball” Jones will be doing a few helmet cam runs of the track. We’ll give you a live update on the seeding runs on Saturday night. It’ll all be on the Dirt webber so if you can’t make it you know where to look.

Here’s the official word including directions from the NPS crew:

We provide live timing and commentary, a loud sound system, large marquee, caterers and evenings entertainment. Please also note Parking and spectating is always free!

There will be a large tech area for the pro riders and their teams along with high end retailers for you to come and have a snoop around.
Ae Forest also has one of the best XC routes in the U.K which is part of the 7Staines Network. Therefore how about bringing along your XC/Enduro Bike and hitting these World famous trails, stop off and watch the Worlds best Downhillers and then chill out in the pits!
For more info on Ae Forest:

http://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/achs-5rneku
Here is the Race Schedule for you:

Saturday
09:00 – 14:30 Open Practise
15:00 Seeding Runs
18:00 Course Closed
18:05 Course inspection on foot only.

Sunday

09:00 – 13:20 Open Practise
13:30 Expert and Elite Practise Only
14:00 Course Closed
14:30 Racing – One Race Run
17:30 Podium
For more information checkout www. NPSDH.com

Directions:

Use postcode DG1 1QB to reach Ae forest, then follow signs for the trail head.
The OS Grid Reference for Ae trail head is: NX982901.

From Dumfries

Take the A701 towards Moffat and the A74(M). After about 10km, look for signs to Ae village. Take the left turn off the A701 to the village. Go through the village (about 4 km from the turn off) and turn right into the Forestry Commission area. The 7stanes car park is signposted. Go past the Forestry buildings turn left onto the minor road. The car park is 500m further along.

From Glasgow
Follow the M74 south to junction 15 (Beattock) and join the A701 towards Dumfries. After 19km look for the second turn off for Ae village on the right. Take the right turn off the A701 to the village. Go through the village (about 4 km from the turn off) and turn right into the Forestry Commission area. The 7stanes car park is signposted. Go past the Forestry buildings turn left onto the minor road. The car park is 500m further along.

From Edinburgh
Follow the A702 south through Biggar to join the M74 at junction 13 (Abington) and then continue on to junction 15 (Beattock) and turn off onto the A701 towards Dumfries. After 19km look for the second turn off for Ae village on the right. Take the right turn off the A701 to the village. Go through the village (about 4 km from the turn off) and turn right into the Forestry Commission area. The 7stanes car park is signposted. Go past the Forestry buildings turn left onto the minor road. The car park is 500m further along.

From Carlisle
Follow the A74 north. There are options at Gretna to take the A75 to Dumfries and then on to the A701, however, continuing north to junction 16 (Annandale Water services) of the A74(M) then heading via Johnstonebridge and minor roads to join the A701 at St Ann’s is slightly shorter. At St Ann’s, turn left onto the A701 towards Dumfries and continue for 9.5km to the second turn off for Ae village. Take the right turn off the A701 to the village. Go through the village (about 4 km from the turn off) and turn right into the Forestry Commission area. The 7stanes car park is signposted. Go past the Forestry buildings turn left onto the minor road. The car park is 500m further along.

From Stranraer
Take the A75 east to Dumfries, then join the A701 towards Moffat and the A74(M). After about 10km, look for signs to Ae village. Take the left turn off the A701 to the village. Go through the village (about 4 km from the turn off) and turn right into the Forestry Commission area. The 7stanes car park is signposted. Go past the Forestry buildings turn left onto the minor road. The car park is 500m further along.

Rd 1 of the Downhill NPS Ae Forest