Down the Docks

The Dolphin at Castledykes Castlebank Mill. From the collection of the Dumfries Museum

Adam Richardson and his 1937 Water Bicycle. From the collection of the Dumfries Museum

Saturday 27th October: The first of our autumn/winter historic rides will go to Dock Park, Glencaple and Kingholm Quay via the Crichton and Bank End and is timed to coincide with the museum’s exhibition, Down the Dock: the Dock Delineated (which runs until November 3rd). Just over 15 miles, with a couple of short but sharp climbs and a bit of on-road riding.

The Rise of Denmark in full sail on the River Nith. From the collection of the Dumfries Museum

Starting from the Museum at 10:30 am, we’ll make our way down to the river and across the Suspension Bridge (walking our bikes across the footbridge) before joining the Whitesands path down to Dock Park. From there we will pass through Castledykes Park and the Crichton (both of which have fascinating histories of their own) to the Bankend Road. We will then turn down to Glencaple via Bankend

The Glencullen at Glencaple. From the collection of the Dumfries Museum

At Glencaple we may have a chance to sample the new community cafe there as well as look at the dock before returning via the Glencaple Road (NCN7) to Kingholm Quay.

We’ll then cross the Kirpatrick Macmillan Bridge and onto the riverside walk to return to the museum, where participants are welcome to enjoy hot drinks and explore the exhibition and the rest of the exhibits.

The ride will be accompanied by a representative from the Museum who will hopefully be able to fill us in with more information about this fascinating aspect of Dumfries’s past.

Ride route. Click on the map for more detail

Route http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/fullscreen/147194305/