This is a ride across southern Scotland, from the west coast to the east coast.  It will become an officially designated route later in the summer, but this is a chance for a sneak preview.  The ride will cover about 250 miles in four days, over countryside that is undulating rather than wickedly steep, with no more than 1200 m climbing each day, or there are flatter options.  Each stage starts/ends in a reasonably-sized town and there is the potential to do only part of the route.  For this reason, each stage is bookable separately.  You will also book your own accommodation, for maximum flexibility.

The route is generally on less-busy roads, although there are a few unavoidable sections of trunk road to get over bridges.

We are joining forces with Out Velo for this trip.  People who are members of both please book via one or the other, not both so you don’t claim two spaces!

The overall plan is:

• Day 0, arrive Stranraer
• Day 1, Stranraer to Kirkcudbright. 74 miles, or a shorter 56 mile route
• Day 2, Kirkcudbright to Lockerbie. 46 miles.  Lockerbie is rail-connected to Edinburgh, Glasgow and England and is a possible leave or join point.
• Day 3, Lockerbie to Hawick. 53 miles, or a shorter 45 miles
• Day 4, Hawick to Eyemouth. 72 miles, or to Berwick-upon-Tweed, 48 miles, or take 2 days over this leg.
• Day 5, travel home

You need to book separately for each day you intend to participate.  Please let me know should a day in the middle fill up so that you can’t book end-to-end.

Day 2 – Kirkcudbright to Lockerbie – Monday 17

This is an easier day after the excess of the day before!  45 miles, 730 m of ascent.  A signposted cycle route takes us to Dumfries, via Castle Douglas.  Depending on how we are progressing, it may make sense to buy some lunch in Castle Douglas, to eat before we get to Dumfries.  The route into and out of Dumfries is on cycle track along a former rail line.  We eventually have to leave this to head, via Lochmaben, to Lockerbie for the night.

Lockerbie was the site of the UK’s worth terrorist incident.

Possible leave point – train connections to Glasgow, Edinburgh and England.