|
Stage |
Description |
Facilities |
Classification |
Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stranraer to St John’s Town of Dalry | This section follows quiet country roads and gravel tracks from the coast at Stranraer across open moors to the high hills of Galloway before reaching the village of St John’s of Dalry. The entire section is rated black due to the length, mixed surfaces and remoteness. In particular note the track is poor quality in places before the junction leading along Glenhead Burn (NX416804 to NX494794) . Long climb followed by fast descent with continuous attention required due to variable surface. |
StranraerFull services, including supermarkets, bike shops and train station (services to Glasgow).New LuceNew Luce post office and shop (limited opening hours) Kenmuir Hotel (open evening only)Bargrennan/GlentroolHouse o’Hill Hotel and Restaurant (open lunch and dinner)Glentrool Campsite (small shop in campsite office) St John’s Town of DalryG&M Newton General StoreLochinvar Hotel and Restaurant Clachan Inn Hotel and Restaurant Brookford B&B Bank of Scotland |
Black | ...calculating... |
| St John’s Town of Dalry to Sanquhar | This is a comparatively short day with a very easy start, but the hike-a-bike along the Lorg-Polskeoch Connector and the subsequent climb still make it challenging. The scenery up the glen to Lorg is stunning and remote, followed by forest on the descent. The entire section is graded as red due to the combination of physical challenge and way finding. |
SanquharNithsdale Hotel and RestaurantGlendyne Hotel and Restaurant Royal Bank of Scotland Bank of Scotland Nisa convenience store Co-operative supermarket Train station (services to Glasgow and Newcastle via Carlisle) |
Red | ...calculating... |
| Sanquhar to Moffat | The most varied section of the route following roads and easy paths to the baronial splendour of Drumlanrig Castle, then entering rough tracks from Durisdeer before a long ride through the forests and windfarms of Ae. This entire section is rated black due to the extreme remoteness of the central section and general physical challenge. In particular note extreme care is needed at the hairpin bend on the descent after Sweetbit Farm (NS804083 to NS853027). Also note that after Kettleton Byre Bothy (NS894036 to NX942977) caution is required on the climb due to the sharp rocks which can easily cut a tyre. Also in the descent from the summit shortly after extreme care is required as the track surface deteriorates significantly on the steeper sections. Multiple stream crossings. |
DrumlanrigTea roomRiks Bike Shop DurisdeerKettleton Byre bothy (in the hills above the hamlet)AeBike Shop and CafeMoffatNearest train station is Lockerbie (services to Glasgow/Edinburgh and the west coast main line to London)Wide selection of accommodation but Seamore Guest House is recommended as cycle friendly. Wide selection of restaurants including the Famous Star Hotel (narrowest hotel in the world). Co-operative supermarket. Bank of Scotland. Annandale Cycles |
Black | ...calculating... |
| Moffat to Tweedbank | The route regains the Southern Upland Way climbing into the hills above Moffat on a combination of landrover track and rough paths, before the rejoining the road at Over Phawhop Bothy and heading over to the Gordon Arms Hotel, Innerleithen and finally Tweedbank. While much of the route is on good surface with long, steady climbs,the section on single track along Selcoth Burn (east of Croft Head) requires care and for this reason this section is rated black. |
Ettrick GlenOver Phawhop BothyTelephone box at Ettrick TushielawTushielaw InnMountbengerGordon Arms HotelInnerleithenBike shopCafes Restaurants Shop Galashiels and TweedbankFull servicesRailway Station (trains to Edinburgh Waverley) |
Black | ...calculating... |
| Tweedbank to North Berwick | Although leaving the high hills behind this section of the route remains extremely challenging as a single day ride, making extensive use of the Southern Upland Way path. While the surfaces are generally good and the risk of incident low, the physical challenge grades this section black for a single day ride (maybe red if you split it in two). Also note extreme caution is required on the descent from Twin Law (west of NT647562) as the path contains two hidden ridges on the final straight descent. Most of this route is rideable but be prepared to carry over styles on a number of occasions |
LauderPost OfficeHotels Cafes Bakers GiffordCo-op shopLanterne Rouge Cyclists Cafe Pub HaddingtonFull servicesNorth BerwickFull servicesRailway station (trains to Edinburgh) |
Black/red | ...calculating... |