Castle Douglas

[Boab]

So I find myself near Castle Douglas for a week early next month. Planning on taking the gravel bike, but have no idea what there is to ride in that area; it's been decades since I was last in that locality as a child. To the point where I've not ridden a bike in Scotland since the access laws changed, so don't actually know what I'm allowed to get up to, and where. Looking for some ideas for easy multi surface, forestry road, type rides that I can do from half way up Loch Ken. Anyone got any pointers, tips or advice...?

[sean_iow]

This loop I did last year isn't that far from there and might be of use.

https://www.strava.com/activities/9131410924

[fatbikephil]

Lots of graveling bob - head up the west side of loch ken via road and track to get onto the old railway which takes you west into the forest. Then it's a case of pic a fire road! Ncn down past loch rannoch v nice as is the route north to glen trool

[sean_iow]

The Glentrool NCN route is a cracker, recommenced. It's on the loop on that strava link.

[Boab]

Thanks both. We're staying at Loch Ken Holiday Park, which is half way up the East side of the loch, but right next to an old railway bridge. Photos on Google maps don't make it clear if it's passible or not, some show people on the bridge, other a big gate with a "Nae Trespassing" sign on it... I'll check out NCN 7, at a minimum it'll give me somewhere to cycle while checking out the area.

[sean_iow]

This bridge?



Photo taken from Strava which now has pictures on the 'maps' section, very handy. The heatmap does show some crossings but not very many.

[Boab]

That's the one. Would be handy in cutting out having to use the A713 to get anywhere else.

[fatbikephil]

Lots of history accessing that bridge with various debates on whether access rights apply or not. I think it's fine on the basis that you'll likely be across before anyone notices
Friends parents live in the old Parton station and they have been across a few times over the years, without getting any grief.

[Boab]

Lots of history accessing that bridge with various debates on whether access rights apply or not. I think it's fine on the basis that you'll likely be across before anyone notices
Friends parents live in the old Parton station and they have been across a few times over the years, without getting any grief.

Looks like I'll have to wing it and see what I can get away with when we arrive. I can see the line of the old railway heading off to the West, and I can just jump on that and ride...? This is where my knowledge of what I ca get away with is lacking...

[Boab]

Oh well. I thought this might bite me on the arse. I don't have a carrier for the outside of the car, and once packed, there was no room inside for the bike. Gutted.
Guess I'll be doing a load of open water swimming then.

[fatbikephil]

Oh well. I thought this might bite me on the arse. I don't have a carrier for the outside of the car, and once packed, there was no room inside for the bike. Gutted.
Guess I'll be doing a load of open water swimming then.

'Ware the Mosquitos! (and midges of course...)

[Boab]

'Ware the Mosquitos! (and midges of course...)

Totes forgot to take the Smidge! Thankfully it was either blowy or pissing it down, so the Winged Death were AWOL...

[Boab]

Just in case anyone else stumbles across this and thinks they can get across the bridge, you can't... Not sure you'd want to either, given the state of the planks.

[sean_iow]

Surely you'd just ride up over the steelwork at the sides like Danny Macskill

[fatbikephil]

Hmm, thats annoying. Of course no such thing as Trespass in Scotland

[boxelder]

The Trespass (Scotland) Act of 1865 disagrees

I had a pedal from Newton Stewart down to the Mull of Galloway around that week. Mostly on roads (v quiet ones) - down through Wigtown to the lighthouse and back up to camp at the castle ruin in Portpatrick. Loop north and back to Stranraer and then into S Ayrshire for a bit. Lovely.

[rudedog]

Nice, I grew up in Drummore (the last village before the Mull of Galloway) so know that area very well.