Dumfries Cycling.

We popped up to Dumfries at the weekend to see how Susan's Mum was getting on and took the bikes to try and get a few miles in. The town is an excellent cycling hub and the Tourist Office has published a superb guide to 'Cycling in and around Nithsdale'. We managed to do two of the recommended routes.

Saturday morning was bright and breezy so we headed out early to do Speddoch and Glenkiln round. This 25 miler followed cycleways out of the town before taking us to Glenkiln via an excellent climb over Speddoch Hill. It was challenging but never too hard and took about 2 hrs and 30 mins. to complete.

The River Nith and Dumfries.

Heading off along the Whitesands.

The route is well signposted out of the town.

A great day for riding - the Romanesque church at Irongray.

Another view of the lovely wee church.

Quiet well surfaced roads - great to ride.

The start of the climb over Speddoch Hill.

Susan halfway up the climb.

Steady climbing nearing the summit.

Taking the final bend of the climb.

Susan almost there!!!

Wide open views over the top of Speddoch.

On the descent to Glenkiln.

Sunday morning was wet and windy and we weren't very hopeful of getting a ride in. We'd just about given up when at 11.30am it started to clear and we went for it. The route we chose was the Lochfoot, Beeswing and New Abbey round. This 23 mile circuit followed some lovely quiet roads around Mabie Forest and gave some great views. 

Heading out of Dumfries on one of many excellent cycleways.

More quiet well surfaced roads on Sustans Route 7.

Lochfoot the first wee village on the route.

Turning for Beeswing.

Great weather after a dreich start to the day.

On route to New Abbey with Criffel as a backdrop.

The route had some steep little climbs on narrow roads and was an excellent ride.