Sunday saw our March Curiosity ride take us westwards to Drumcoltran Tower. It was lovely to have a mixture of old and new faces once again with sixteen meeting in Dumfries. We divided into two groups to be more manageable in size on the roads as we left Dumfries via the Maxwelltown Path, Hardthorn Road and Terregles.
Gathering at Greensands in Dumfries. Photo – Gilbert West
Group 2 soon caught up group 1, however, as the puncture fairy sadly paid a visit. The second group continued on under the blue skies, spotting plenty of daffodils, wood anemones and buds preparing to burst. We were pleased to see, or rather feel, the surface of Seeside Road has been patched to provide a less crater-filled ride towards Lochfoot. Here another couple of riders joined to swell our numbers to 18.
Notices are up about turning Greensands into a car park, everyone. There's a public consultation going on right now about change of use for the Greensand, and you can hand your comments into Ewart Library or email nik.lane@dumgal.gov.uk. #ClimateCrisis#Dumfries#nomorecarparkspic.twitter.com/pyzqHCWgcS
Please join us for our next meeting – Tuesday 7th November, at 6pm at the Bridge (note the venue) – a chance to have a discussion about possible projects for the future (and how we might fund them).
Over the past year, we’ve been experimenting with alternating our regular meetings with ones which give us the chance to explore a single topic in a bit more depth, and this month we’re building on our last ‘topic’ meeting about fundraising to consider ideas for projects that we might want to get funded.
On Sunday we had our usual end of the month curiosity ride, this time to Crocketford. A fair sized crowd of limbs and wheels assembled at the rowing club to set off at 11am. We knew we’d be picking up a few extras along the route so sensibly phoned the pub to forewarn them of our arrival for lunch. The estimate of 1pm proved to be bang on – well done Sally.
Gathering to set off.
As we set off along the Maxwelltown Path, it became apparent that there was certainly a headwind as well as a few dark clouds around. At the top of the old Glen road we found three extras had joined us, having arrived a little late (although we no longer have bookings for the ride, if you know you’re coming and likely to be late, do email us and if we get it in time, we’ll wait a few minutes for you).
The shared use path between Garroch Loaning and DGRI is well used but rather narrow for passing anyone.
We proceeded around the A75 roundabout towards Lochfoot where we were greeted by five more folk to swell our ranks. At this point, we took the decision to split into two smaller groups for the remainder of the way to Crocketford. The old military road is somewhat hilly and these were worsened by the wind in our faces, but we ploughed on and were rewarded with the sight of rain showers elsewhere but not on us.
The still not full peloton pedalling towards Lochfoot. We don’t make people ride in certain positions based on jacket colours – I promise! Avoiding the not-too-distant murkiness.
As it’s January, the ride planners had taken the decision to have an indoor rest stop at the Galloway Arms for lunch. Maybe this is why we had 17 folk on the ride! We piled into the warmth and all enjoyed a meal and chat, reluctantly leaving a good while later to find the day had brightened up for us. A piece of flapjack courtesy of Jeanette and we were happily on our way again, up the A75 through Crocketford before turning left on the little road to Shawhead. In a big group, it certainly feels much safer when cycling on the main road, even though it is a 30mph speed limit and shouldn’t feel intimidating.
Many thanks to the Galloway Arms for their hospitality, it was a busy car park but we certainly took up far less room for perhaps a similar number of people.
We whistled along the road to Shawhead where our first small contingent peeled off. The rest of us continued on towards Terregles with another split at Seeside Road for the Lochfoot and Cargenbridge riders to leave. The remaining six enjoyed the descent down to Terregles and back to the Maxwelltown Path to return to our starting point.
Enjoying the quietness of the backroads heading to Shawhead. A pause in Shawhead to say goodbye to the first few.
It was lovely to have some new faces joining us as well as a good number of the regulars. Many thanks to Jeanette and Sally for leading the ride and John for the photos.
Our next ride will be on Sunday 26th February where we’ll be heading out on our Cairn/Cluden circuit.
What better way to enjoy the countryside whatever the season than by bike?
We’ve a monthly programme of sociable rides, 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.
Enjoying some winter sun near Loch Arthur
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.
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.
Taking in the sights at Dalswinton
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.
As well as our Curiosity Ride series, we’re delighted to be back in collaboration with the Stove, WWT Caerlaverock and NatureScot, to run a Wild Goose Chase ride as part of the annual Wild Goose Festival.
Celebrate the return of the geese to our shores by joining us and a couple of wildlife experts from NatureScot and WWT Caerlaverock on a ride along the Nith Estuary and down to the Wetlands Centre. We’ll be setting off at 10am from Dock Park on Wednesday October 26, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm for a gently paced ride with plenty of stops along the way. The total will be about 16-20 miles (depending on the route we take back). Places are free but please do book.
At the start of the Wild Goose Ride 2021
There’s a whole load of events going on across the region, so it’s worth checking out the entire Wild Goose Festival programme at https://wildgoosefestival.scot/events/
Our Curiosity rides will continue through the autumn on the last Sunday of the month. These are longer than our summer rides, allowing us to explore the countryside from Dumfries, in a wider area.
We usually meet at the Loreburn bridge/Nithsdale Rowing Club for 11am. We no longer require folk to sign up on Eventbrite prior to the ride.
Our first autumn ride will be on Sunday 25th September with a (23 mile) loop to Drumcoltran Tower.
There’ll be a mid-week October ride as part of the Wild Goose festival on Wednesday 26th October.
October’s ride will be on Sunday 30th October, starting 3:30pm. A Halloween Special around the Speddoch Loop, this will be a daytime to nighttime ride so bike lights are essential (24 miles)
Subsequent rides will be announced once the ride coordinators have decided on them!
Rural benches – always nice to discover by bike.
We no longer have a cafe stop mid ride, so we suggest people bring something to sustain them. We’ll take a break somewhere suitable for people to have bite to eat. 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.
Thanks to Steve and Jeanette for leading the ride and litter pick and providing the report and photos.
Three keen cyclists set out on Sunday 24th July, from the Rowing Club to cycle the Maxwelltown Path and to carry out a litter pick.
Litter picking on the Maxwelltown path.
The Rotary Club had completed a litter pick a few weeks ago, from half way along the path towards the viaduct over the Nith.
By a happy coincidence, we had planned to set out in the opposite direction from Stakeford towards DGRI.
At a glance, apart from the odd item, the path and its verges appeared relatively clear of litter. We aimed for a couple of possible hot spots around benches/picnic areas. In both places we picked up a quantity of crisps and sweet wrappers, as well as cigarette ends and the ubiquitous plastic bottles.
It was dismaying to see that the Council contractors had not adequately picked up litter before cutting the grass. This had led to splinters of plastic being strewn around, which were harder to gather up.
The added challenge of collecting litter broken up by mowing.
As always the ride was a sociable occasion and we received positive encouragement on our litter pick from another cyclist.
We parted company just as a heavy shower moved in.
Thanks to Briony and Steve for leading the ride and providing the ride report and photos.
As usual for our rides, we met at the Rowing Club though it was much warmer than is often the case. We watched as some magnet fishers had a go casting off the Loreburn Bridge with mixed success before setting off down the Nith. The camera wielding otter spotters were out but we could only see a heron, gulls, the low level of the water and the exposed caul. We wondered what was going to happen to the collapsed bank on the other side of the river. Surely this is the weather for doing work on it?
Arriving at the Dock Park crossing, with a small group on the ride this week, we were able to all cross together and reach the shady path through the park.
We continued on towards Kingholm Quay when all of a sudden, the river starting rushing with water upstream – we had encountered the tidal bore, a first for the majority of us, and an impressive sight to behold. One minute the river was looking very low and slow, the next it was full and powering up towards Dumfries. We were almost tempted to turn around and race it back to town.
At Kingholm Quay we rounded the bendr to encounter the first of the challenge hills. Everyone made it up without too much effort. We stopped at the roundabout with Glencaple Road for a breather and to pump up a soft tyre before continuing up the next hill.
Smiles all round with the longer section of uphill behind us.
This hill is a one way road going uphill, which is the reason we do this route in this direction. It would be a lovely hill to cycle down, if only that were permitted!
We had a tour round the grounds of the Crichton, remarking on the newly painted road lines and taking in the farm, the modern College building and the many older sandstone buildings. We wondered what it would have been like when it was the Crichton hospital as it is such an extensive area. Near the chapel we passed a stage set up for an outdoor performance later in the day and stopped for a photo. We then headed back down the hill, past the football players on the green and along the bottom, tree-lined avenue lined with trees.
After exiting the Crichton grounds via the cycle path we headed through Castledykes Park and decided to have a look in the Sunken Garden. There are some newly installed magnifying glasses to examine nature’s wonders up closer as well as some large paintings of Robert the Bruce’s battles with texts describing the settings and outcomes. The flowers were a riot of colour and the gardens looked beautiful, there’s obviously a lot of work put into them.
We then rode back to the riverside path and along the way we’d come, remarking on the difference now that the tide was in and the river looked full. There were still no glimpses of otters though.
It was an enjoyable ride and everyone who came was certainly unphased by the ‘challenge’ of the hills.
Thanks to ride leaders Steve and Jeanette for leading the group on the evening ride and for the photos and ride report.
Eight cyclists set out from Nithsdale Rowing club on Wednesday 13th July.
We approached the route in reverse order to avoid a right turn onto New Abbey Road. Thanks to Steve, our ride leader for this suggestion.
Along the way, we stopped at various places identified by Jim for their historic interest. This made for an additional and fascinating dimension to the ride, capturing our imaginations for past scenes and events. Into this rich mix, Paul added his knowledge of the former Cargen Estate and we abandoned our bicycles for a short time to admire the picturesque stables and dovecot.
Cargen House stables. Photo credit Steve Cussell.
As always in Cycling Dumfries tradition, it was a friendly and sociable occasion, cycling as we do at chatting pace.
Looking out over the rolling Galloway countryside, we all agreed on how lucky we are to live in the region.
“Scottish weather, anything can happen” as the saying goes, but undeterred by one heavy shower, we were rewarded with a mainly fine evening.
Steve took us “off piste” to end the ride by crossing the Kirkpatrick MacMillan Bridge. Here Paul prompted us to say “velocipede” in smiling for a last photograph.
Velocipede! Enjoying the Kirkpatrick McMillan Bridge. Photo credit Steve Cussell.
Thanks to everyone for their good company.
A special thank you to Jim Mackison for his excellent historical booklet and for interesting information imparted along the route. If you weren’t able to make the ride you can use his guide and cycle the route yourself!
Cycling Dumfries 