We are planning to tour in Scotland this year and D&G looks good. Are there any good sources of touring material that anybody could recommend? I seem to remember that some years ago CTC Birthday Rides was in D&G.
thanks
Mick
Dumfries and Galloway: touring ideas?
Re: Dumfries and Galloway: touring ideas?
Try this link for KM rides 22-25 of May.
It is a 4 or 5 day event based at Barnsoul about 8 miles west of Dumfries.
It is a 4 or 5 day event based at Barnsoul about 8 miles west of Dumfries.
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RaasayWarden
- Posts: 91
- Joined: 9 Jan 2007, 8:36am
Re: Dumfries and Galloway: touring ideas?
Hi there
In case it helps, there are a number of mountain biking venues in this area called the Seven Stanes. You obviously won't be interested in these but many of the sites have associated shower/toilet facilities, accomodation and bike shops.
It might be usefull to bear this in mind when planning.
In case it helps, there are a number of mountain biking venues in this area called the Seven Stanes. You obviously won't be interested in these but many of the sites have associated shower/toilet facilities, accomodation and bike shops.
It might be usefull to bear this in mind when planning.
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iaincullen
- Posts: 153
- Joined: 18 Aug 2007, 11:43am
Re: Dumfries and Galloway: touring ideas?
I've done a couple of short tours in this area. Basically as already said if you avoid the A75 A76 and A77 you won't go far wrong. Get a Ordnance survey 1:250000 map and choose your own routes.
My last tour starting there there was a coast to coast from Stranraer to Dunbar using a mixture of B and C roads and a few tracks. One of the highlights was the off road section from Glen Trool to Clatteringshaws Loch. I was on a MTB but a tourer with 32 or 35mm tyres would cope OK. It's forestry tracks all the way. Superb scenery and I saw only a handful of people.
Map at
http://cycling.visitscotland.com/images ... aps/322656
The section I used as a through route is described as part of a circular route which might be worth doing.
http://cycling.visitscotland.com/find_r ... shaws_loch
In general though in the area if you get off the A roads the traffic is almost non existent, certainly less than the highlands.
My last tour starting there there was a coast to coast from Stranraer to Dunbar using a mixture of B and C roads and a few tracks. One of the highlights was the off road section from Glen Trool to Clatteringshaws Loch. I was on a MTB but a tourer with 32 or 35mm tyres would cope OK. It's forestry tracks all the way. Superb scenery and I saw only a handful of people.
- Loch Dee
Map at
http://cycling.visitscotland.com/images ... aps/322656
The section I used as a through route is described as part of a circular route which might be worth doing.
http://cycling.visitscotland.com/find_r ... shaws_loch
In general though in the area if you get off the A roads the traffic is almost non existent, certainly less than the highlands.
Re: Dumfries and Galloway: touring ideas?
This map shows Sustrans and National Cycle Network routes
www.dumgal.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=1733&p=0
A bike does more miles to the banana than a porsche.
www.dumgal.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=1733&p=0
A bike does more miles to the banana than a porsche.
A bike does more miles to the banana than a Porsche.
Re: Dumfries and Galloway: touring ideas?
Howzabout a theme?
The Wicker Man (Great British Horror Film) was filmed around here.
The sitesmake an interesting set of points to tour between.
Alternatively there is also the Lochs and Glens (South) or the "Tour of Britain" has repeatedly visited this area and can provide routes.
Finally there are too many historical sites to mention but BBargrennanis famous for its Neolithic tombs as an example, as well as the hospitable "House o' the Hill" Hotel
The Wicker Man (Great British Horror Film) was filmed around here.
The sitesmake an interesting set of points to tour between.
Alternatively there is also the Lochs and Glens (South) or the "Tour of Britain" has repeatedly visited this area and can provide routes.
Finally there are too many historical sites to mention but BBargrennanis famous for its Neolithic tombs as an example, as well as the hospitable "House o' the Hill" Hotel
Re: Dumfries and Galloway: touring ideas?
Lovely part of the world for cycletouring, done some on solo and tandem. Intend to go back one day soon.
Re: Dumfries and Galloway: touring ideas?
The routes from the Birthday Rides 2006 can be viewed on the CTC Scotland web page http://www.ctcscotland.org.uk/br2006/.
Also the Sustrans map "NCN Lochs & Glens South" has a lot of information and is more useful that the usual Sustrans strip maps. Available from http://www.sustransshop.co.uk/products/5064-ncn-lochs--glens-south and is half-price at £3.49 until 31 March 2009.
Also the Sustrans map "NCN Lochs & Glens South" has a lot of information and is more useful that the usual Sustrans strip maps. Available from http://www.sustransshop.co.uk/products/5064-ncn-lochs--glens-south and is half-price at £3.49 until 31 March 2009.