What better way to enjoy the countryside whatever the season than by bike?
We’ve a monthly programme of sociable rides for 2022/2023, exploring the quiet roads and cycle routes around Dumfries. They’re longer than our summer ones – about 20-25 miles in total- and a wee bit hillier, but they’ll always be taken at an easy pace, and on quiet roads, with an emphasis on taking time to discover some hidden delights of the area rather than just putting in the miles.
Most, but not all, rides start at 11am on the last Sunday of the month, meeting at the rowing club at Nith Avenue – see map – to avoid having to deal with the Dock Park crossing. There’s a car park there if you need it, and plenty of space to spread out safely while we assemble. We meet under the large trees next to the stairs going up to the rowing club bridge. There’s no need to book so just turn up in plenty of time.
Ride schedule:
- Sunday 25th September 11am, Drumcoltran Tower (23 mile)
- Sunday 30th October, starting 3:30pm. A Halloween Special around the Speddoch Loop (24 miles), this will be a daytime to nighttime ride so bike lights are essential. Ride description
- Sunday 27th November 11am, Two Stone Circles Circular (18 miles) Ride description
- Sunday 1st January 11am, Caerlaverock New Year’s Day ride (19 miles) Ride description
- Sunday 29th January 11am, Crocketford (25 miles) including a midwinter celebratory lunch at the pub in Crocketford. Ride Description.
- Sunday 26th February 11am, Cairn/Cluden Circuit (18 miles)
- Sunday 26th March 11am, Dalswinton Discoverer (18 miles)
- Sunday 30th April 11am, New Abbey via Lochfoot and Beeswing (25 miles) Ride description
- Sunday 28th May 11am, Dunscore (20 miles)
- Sunday 25th June 11am, To Torthorwald and Tinwald (25 miles)
We no longer have a cafe stop mid ride, so suggest people bring something to sustain them and we’ll take a break somewhere suitable for people to refuel. This will be outdoors – so dress not just for the cycling but also make sure you will be warm enough when we stop, or perhaps bring a couple of warmer layers to put on.
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 (and off) 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 have any questions about these rides or don’t know if they will be for you, feel free to email cyclingdumfries@gmail.com for more information.
Cycling Dumfries 
This is so cool! Sadly, the children have music lessons on Saturday mornings now, so can’t join you for the megaliths one but I am gutted!
Brilliant programme.
“where Burns sort a cure (unsuccessfully) for rhumatic fever.”
I think you mean “sought” and “rheumatic”!