Calling all locals and visitors – Come join us on our rides of Discovery around & Galloway These lead circular rides are suitable for all ages and abilities and usually take about 3 - 5 hours at an easy pace. Most are free and there is usually no need to book; just turn up at the Meeting Point with a serviceable safe bike, suitable clothing, snacks and drinks, and your camera.

In addition to our programme of Discovery Rides this list incorporates a series of Historical Rides centred on the Dumfries Museum. These are organised by Cycling Dumfries, the Museum and D&G CTC as a regular series of Dumfries based rides, themed on the history of Dumfries and the surrounding area, and of typical DR length (ie designed for casual riders). The HRs will be on the last Saturday of each month (excepting December). There are details at the end of the main DR list, and more information about Cycling Dumfries is available on ‘cyclingdumfries.wordpress.com’

Riders are recommended to check with the ride leader if the weather conditions are in doubt, especially in the winter. We welcome riders who may wish to join a ride at an intermediate point, or perhaps come with us part of the way, or even just join us for lunch/tea for a chat – but please check logistics first with the ride leader, exchange of mobile numbers etc.

Saturday 3rd November: and Auchencairn We leave Castle Douglas on NCR7 and head towards Kirkcudbright but cut off towards the coast at Whinnieliggate and drop through Kirkcarswell to the A711. The ride along the coastal route takes us through Auchencairn to lunch at the Willow Tree cafe in Palnackie, where we’ll also take a look at the harbour. Thence back up the steady hill to CD. A good ride through some of our favourite rolling countryside, with the trees well showing their autumn colours. Grade and length: Easy to moderate grades, all on road. About 25 miles Meet: Castle Douglas King St car park (TIC) at 10:15 for 10:30 Leader: Robin Hogg (01556 502979)

Saturday 17th November: Annan to Dumfries Coastal I’m going to run another mixed train/bike ride that worked well earlier this year (Sanquhar to Dumfries). This time we’ll take the train to Annan and pedal back via the coastal route (mainly NCR7), with lunch at the Powfoot Golf Hotel. We’ll call by the Savings Bank Museum at Ruthwell and may even call at the new cafe in Glencaple for a cuppa if we’re feeling in need! There is great coastal scenery & views out over the Solway estuary. Alternatively join at Annan station and take the train back (Dumfries at 16:02 and 17:07). 1 Grade and length: Pretty level, all on road. About 25 miles Meet: Dumfries railway station at 10:45 for the 11.02 train to Annan (arrives 11:17) Leader: Mike Gray (07751 978563, pref. text)

Saturday 1st December: Birding in the Machars First a short ride down to the bird hides to see what is about. Then out towards Newton Stewart along the Moss of Cree road keeping an eye out for flocks of grazing geese. We’ll then wind back through the lanes towards Mochrum Park and back to Bladnoch and the new RSPB reserve at Crook of Baldoon to see what’s there. Finish back in Wigtown at Readinglasses cafe for a late lunch and or just a coffee as people require. Bring snacks (nibbles in the hides), camera and binoculars. Grade and length: Easy to moderate, all on road. About 20 miles Meet: Wigtown Town Hall at 10:15 for 10:30 Leader: Ted Norfolk (01988 700432)

Saturday 15th December: Gatehouse to the Fleet Viaduct The route takes us out of Gatehouse on NCR7 but we’ll take a short diversion to the interesting Anwoth Old Kirk before continuing on up to Gatehouse Station. Here we’ll take a right a few miles to admire the very impressive Big Water of Fleet Viaduct; the largest in the region (carried the Dumfries to line until 1965). The route back to Gatehouse takes us back down the hill but we’ll cut over at Nether Rusko to the east side of the valley and back into town on the Laurieston road. Bring snacks as no cafes en route but we’ll retire to a cafe in Gatehouse at the end of the ride. Grade and length: One steady moderate climb. Approx 18 miles, all on road or hard path. Meet: Gatehouse old TIC car park at 10:15 for 10:30 Leader: Jim Cowan (01776 830315)

Saturday 22nd December: Penpont, Tom’s Benches and the Flying Pig We’ll head for Keir Mill first and pay our respects at Kirkpatrick Macmillan’s Smiddy before climbing the hill (with its great view over the Nith valley) to Glenmidge, and then take the rolling road along to Dunscore. Here we can take our ease on several of Tom Carrick’s benches (to commemorate the organist at St John’s in Dumfries) before taking a snack lunch at the Flying Pig. On the run back to Penpont we’ll call by the lovely Maxwelltown Chapel. Grade and length: One moderate lengthy climb. About 17 miles, all on road. Meet: Penpont crossroads at 10:15 for 10:30. Leader: Mike Gray (07751 978563 pref. text)

Saturday 5th January: Kirkpatrick Fleming and Canonbie A second go at this one. The views as we go over the top on the northern road via Solwaybank are awe inspiring, especially if we get the right sort of day (bleak winter grandeur!). We drop down into Canonbie for lunch and then climb out again for a run back to KF on the B6357. Will take a peek at Bruce’s Cave, daylight permitting and take a diversion to the Merkland Cross. Grade and length: Moderate with a few steep bits & one sustained climb. About 25 miles, all on road Meet: Kirkpatrick Fleming at 10:15 for 10:30 Leader: Mike Gray (07751 978563, pref. text)

2 Saturday 19th January: Lighthouse and Birds This is one of our favourite nature rides, especially for over-wintering birds. First round to Southerness and its historic lighthouse then pedal to the equally historic Steamboat Inn at Carsethorn for lunch. Then up to Kirkbean and along the road to the RSPB reserve at Mersehead for a bit more bird watching. Bring binoculars and camera! Grade and Length: Easy. About 20 miles all on road Meet: Colvend church car park at 10:15 for 10:30 Leader: John Dewhurst (01556 502736)

Sunday 27th January: CTC D&G Annual Lunch Our Annual Lunch this ‘year’ will be in the cosy Laurie Arms in Haugh of Urr, at 12:30 for 13:00. It will be the Hotel’s normal 3-course Sunday menu; £15 at the time of writing. We are delighted to welcome members, partners and guests – more the merrier at this otherwise short days dip in the year. The proprietors tell me that there’s no need to pre-order but they would appreciate some idea of numbers, so please let me know if you plan to come (Mike Gray on 01387 270995, 07751 978563 (text) or [email protected] ).

Saturday 2nd February: Stranraer and Portpatrick Loop This loop runs out of Stranraer to Leswalt and then cuts south parallel with the coast, and views over the North Channel. After lunch in Portpatrick we climb out of town towards Lochans before cutting down to Sandhead (more tea!?) and turning north back to Stranraer. Grade and length: A few stiff climbs, esp out of Portpatrick. About 26 miles, all on road. Meet: Stranraer Breastworks car park at 10:15 for 10:30 Leader: Bob Rostock (01776 840623)

Saturday 16th February: Dalbeattie Forest A ride with quite a lot off road pedalling so suitable for those perhaps more into rougher routes, though still on the main tracks (excepting you want to peel off & do something dramatic – and you’re on your own). From Dalbeattie through the forest via New Barns to Colvend, then back through the forest to Dalbeattie. Essentially a morning ride we’ll repair to the Granite Kitchen on our return for a post ride lunch and natter. Grade and length: Some moderate climbing. About 16 miles, mostly off road on forest tracks. Wider tyre bikes recommended. Start: Dalbeattie coach park at 10:15 for 10:30 Leader: Phil Howard (01556 610998)

Saturday 2nd March: The Water of Ae This ride takes us out northwest of Lochmaben past Elshieshields Tower (once home of Sir Steven Runciman the historian), which we’ll visit. Then out to Ae via Parkgate, passing the Barony College and using the picturesque back road past Kirkmichael. Lunch at the Bike Cafe at Ae (I’m told it’s reopening in Nov). We’ll return on the south side of the river via Shieldhill. There are a couple of short stretches on the A701 – we’ll take special care here. This is a ride of contrasts from the open flatland between Lochmaben and Parkgate, to the more undulating wooded country near Ae and on the south side of the river. Grade: Moderate, with one stiff climb (which we can walk). About 18 miles, all on road. Meet: Lochmaben Town Hall (top of the High St) at 10.15 for 10.30. Leader: Robin Gibb (01387 860331)

3 Dumfries Historical Rides

This year Cycling Dumfries is delighted to announce a series of special historical themed tours, in collaboration with the Dumfries Museum and the D&G CTC group. These will be along the lines of the regular Discovery Rides but with the bonus of including someone from the museum to provide an insight into the hidden history of the region. Rides are on the last Saturday of the month (excepting December) and will be lead by CTC Member Sally Hinchcliffe.

All these rides are free and will start at the museum at 10:30 am. We aim to be back there for about 12:30 - 13:00, when free tea/coffee will be available to thaw out any frozen fingers!

Saturday 24th November: Megaliths, Martyrs and more – the 12 Apostles, Irongray Church and Routin Bridge – about 20 miles

Saturday 26th January: Celebrate Burns night with a Burns ‘mystery tour’ – route to be announced!

Saturday 23rd February: Railways, Romans and windmill remains – , Duncow and Kirkton Roman fort – about 15 miles

There’s no need to book – just turn up on the day. Rides will continue regardless of the weather unless in the opinion of the ride leader it would be dangerous (or no fun), so bring a waterproof and whatever you need to stay warm on the bike. All of the routes will keep to quiet rural roads, residential streets and cycle paths wherever possible and the pace will be ‘at the speed of chat’.

For general information on CTC activities and rides in D&G contact Mike Gray (01387 270995 or 07751 978563), or email [email protected]. Or see our website www.dandgcycling.org.uk. Please note that adults are responsible for themselves on rides and for children in their charge. Children 17 and under must be accompanied by a responsible parent or guardian.

The Ride Leader may change the route or even cancel if circumstances or weather dictate; please check with the appropriate RL if in doubt.

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