Time to ride
Spring is early this year in Scotland. Some days have the warmth of summer and those are a gift. More light, so time to check our favourite places. A few roads new to us that may work as loops for our guests and others not biked for years for no good reason. It is good to remind ourselves why we live here. This quiet part of Scotland is the very best to ride with quiet roads that would stretch to the moon laid end to end.
Between Newton Stewart and New Luce
A ride deeper into the south west of this peninsula and starting from Scotland’s Book Town - Wigtown. This part of Galloway is like stepping back in time and we head inland first; Kirkcowan, Balloch O’Dee, New Luce on a road new to us.
To the coast and of course the wind has turned as we ride to Port William. The day is now too warm for the winter clothing we are wearing, but we have one of the finest coastal rides in Scotland to ourselves. We are starting to worry about daylight and our own fitness and cut a section off our route. It may be summer today but we have winter legs.
Milton along the Solway Coast
Back at the car, too late for a cafe treat and with lips tingling from the unexpected strength of the sun. No one has had a better day on a bike than us today, I say it out loud and believe every word.
Fun to be had and a Beltie!
Thornhill a few days later and a similar plan, to beat the bounds to revisit and to explore. We tag on a new route out of town for the start. Crichope Linn near the hamlet of Gatelawbridge is almost unvisited but is listed as one of the finest in Scotland and then our favourite castle. Moreton Castle has few if any signposts directing you to it and a rough road to ride, but it is magnificently remote.
We descend to ride up the pink tarmac of Drumlanrig Castle, the pink palace not quite catching the low sun today. Out along an estate road and next is one of the best cycling routes in Scotland, Scaur Glen and the high hills down towards Penpont. We stop for a flask of coffee and lean a bike against a sculpture by Andy Goldsworthy. A secret place, perfect in every way today.
Morton Castle
Drumlanrig Castle
We are only just over the half way point and put our heads down a bit towards Moniaive. Trees, still just bear branches mean you see hidden things off to the side. Again it is far warmer than forecast and the extra effort is uncomfortable.
Dunscore and a road I have biked just once before and then at Keir Mill we turn right to cut across to Thornhill. This part of the route has history to the left and right from the Neolithic to the invention of the pedal cycle and a landscape to make you stop and stare.
Scaur Valley
Scaur Valley
Thornhill and again we are too late for a cafe treat. Long rides are back, the sun is back and some time soon our fitness may also be back.
Warren & Esther