What better way to enjoy the countryside whatever the season than by bike?
We’re planning a monthly programme of sociable rides for 2021/2022, exploring the quiet roads and cycle routes around Dumfries. They’re longer – about 20-25 miles – than our summer ones 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 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.
The ride schedule so far:
- September 26th 11am, Dalswinton Discoverer (17 miles) Book at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/dalswinton-curiosity-ride-tickets-168925575945
- October 31st 3:30pm, A Halloween Special around the Speddoch Loop, this will be a daytime to nighttime ride so lights are essential (24 miles) Book at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/halloween-curiosity-ride-tickets-169661581357
- November 28th 11am, New Abbey (24 miles) Book at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/new-abbey-curiosity-ride-tickets-169663370709
- Saturday January 1st 11am, Our traditional New Year’s Day ride around the Caerlaverock Circuit (20 miles) Book at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/caerlaverock-new-years-day-ride-tickets-169664508111
- January 30th 11am, Auldgirth (21 miles) Book at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/auldgirth-curiosity-ride-tickets-169665926353
Because of COVID, our rides have changed a little. In order to manage numbers safely and keep within Scottish Government guidelines, we will limit rides to 15 and participants must book in advance (the rides are still free though). We will no longer have a cafe stop mid ride, so we 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.
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”!