Winter Rides

What better way to enjoy the countryside whatever the season than by bike?

No need to put your bike away just because summer has gone. Although we don’t run them as frequently as our summer rides, we have a monthly programme of accessible sociable rides throughout winter exploring the quiet roads and cycle routes around Dumfries. They’re longer than our summer ones – about 20-25 miles – and a wee bit hillier, but they’ll always be taken at an easy pace with an emphasis on taking time to discover some hidden delights of the area rather than just putting in the miles. Oh, and usually stopping for lunch… So if the distance seems a bit much for you, just think of it as two 10-12 mile rides – much more doable!

Most rides will take place on Sundays starting at Devorgilla Bridge. Most rides will begin 11 am to allow for the shorter winter days EXCEPT our first ride on Sunday 28th October, the Halloween ride, which will start at 4pm at Dock Park expressly so we can enjoy the first dark evening of the winter.

• 28th October * 4pm start* Halloween Ride – In the gathering dusk we’ll head to Glenkiln reservoir, on the look out for bats and other creatures of the night. Bike lights essential. The ride will finish in Dumfries at the pub for those who wish and is around 26 miles, with a long descent (which can be cold – bring gloves).
• 25th November  – Celebrate St Andrew’s day with a run up the hill to Ae and back again.
• 1st January New Year’s Resolution Ride – Not all New Year’s resolution need to be a chore. Join us on a sociable circular ride to Caerlaverock, with a hot lunch to thaw yourself out at the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust cafe.
• 27th January Rantin Ravin Robin Ride – In celebration of Burns’ Night we’ll head out to Brow Well near Ruthwell. This well is famous for being the place where Burns sought a cure (unsuccessfully) for rheumatic fever.
• 24th February Valentine’s Ride – A little belated but where better to mark Valentine’s day than New Abbey and its Sweetheart Abbey, founded by Lady Dervorgilla in memory of her husband John Balliol, whose embalmed heart she kept with her.
• More? Watch this space as we have a couple more rides in mind …

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’.

If you’d like to find out more or check a ride is going ahead, email us on cycling DOT dumfries AT gmail DOT com

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