Dumfries and Galloway

[Dodgy69]

Me and a mate are planning a 2/3 day trip in October. DnG is the destination for night 1. Probably crossing M6 at some point on day 2/3. My questions regarding DnG are, where to go, where to stay, best roads etc.

I've never been to this area as a grown up, went to Ayr as a child, but with no memories. Be a nice run for the new bike, not bought yet. MT is staying.

So if anyone's been up there and have any pointers, please tell. Cheers.

[tricol]

not bought yet

Oh what is it?

I've done plenty of mountain biking up that neck of the world. I'd imagine you'll find some great roads.

[Dodgy69]

not bought yet

Oh what is it?

I've done plenty of mountain biking up that neck of the world. I'd imagine you'll find some great roads.

Been looking at touring, pillion friendly type bikes, nothing purchased yet.

[demographic]

Well, I'm no expert but I do really like the road between Langholm and Hawick.
Kind of flowing but don't mess with the logging trucks, then don't brake for anything.
I guess thats mebbe more The Borders?
Oh and the M6 changes into the M74 as you get into Scotchland.

[Druid]

B709 from Langholm up through Eskdale is pretty. It's narrow and bumpy so not a fast road but it doesn't sound like that's what you're after. Turn left' at Crosslee and take the road over the tops and left onto the A708 past St Mary's Loch to Moffat.

The B797 between the M74 and the A76 climbs up to Wanlockhead, allegedly the highest village in Scotland. Like so many Scottish roads the scenery is spectacular.

The Galloway forest is the other side of the A76, lots of good roads through there

The Devil's Porridge Museum in Annan is worth a look if you're interested in modern(ish) history

[Felix]

Ah St Marys Loch. Ill be spending the night there not this but next Weekend. Not a lot of people know but the old Tibbie Shiels inn across for the Cafe is also a camp site what costs shitpence a night I was told they opened the Inn again for food but yet to be confirmed.

[wheelnut]

What sort of roads do you like? Fast and flowing or nadgery and scenic?

[Skub]

Scotchland in October?

Wear thermals and bring de-icer.

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

A77 Ayr to Stranraer is a nice scenic road, but the sun was shining when I went along it

[Dodgy69]

On work dinner break at mo, will study these suggested roads later with map. I like a nice mountain pass with a bit of white line road in-between.

[Dodgy69]

B709 from Langholm up through Eskdale is pretty. It's narrow and bumpy so not a fast road but it doesn't sound like that's what you're after. Turn left' at Crosslee and take the road over the tops and left onto the A708 past St Mary's Loch to Moffat.

The B797 between the M74 and the A76 climbs up to Wanlockhead, allegedly the highest village in Scotland. Like so many Scottish roads the scenery is spectacular.

The Galloway forest is the other side of the A76, lots of good roads through there

The Devil's Porridge Museum in Annan is worth a look if you're interested in modern(ish) history

On the list.

https://sobt.co.uk/mennock-pass/

[Druid]

B709 from Langholm up through Eskdale is pretty. It's narrow and bumpy so not a fast road but it doesn't sound like that's what you're after. Turn left' at Crosslee and take the road over the tops and left onto the A708 past St Mary's Loch to Moffat.

The B797 between the M74 and the A76 climbs up to Wanlockhead, allegedly the highest village in Scotland. Like so many Scottish roads the scenery is spectacular.

The Galloway forest is the other side of the A76, lots of good roads through there

The Devil's Porridge Museum in Annan is worth a look if you're interested in modern(ish) history

On the list.

https://sobt.co.uk/mennock-pass/

I did in in February in a campervan. I keep thinking I need to get there on a bike in the summer.

[Beancounter]

B709 from Langholm up through Eskdale is pretty. It's narrow and bumpy so not a fast road but it doesn't sound like that's what you're after. Turn left' at Crosslee and take the road over the tops and left onto the A708 past St Mary's Loch to Moffat.

The B797 between the M74 and the A76 climbs up to Wanlockhead, allegedly the highest village in Scotland. Like so many Scottish roads the scenery is spectacular.

Agreed, the A708 past St Mary's Loch and the Mennock Pass are both spectacular. Did them in the car last year and they were great fun.

@Dodgy knees I'm heading to Scotland (Prestonpans) on Saturday for a few days. I know we're heading to Perth/Fife on one day but there's talk of heading out around the Borders and down to D&G the other days, time and weather permitting. Will be interesting, we normally head further north towards the Cairngorms or west coast, neglecting the south.

[Dodgy69]

Post up any nice bits of DnG if you do go. I've ridden the 708 from Moffat a couple of years back and yes, very scenic. Not forgetting the bloke with the full size spitfire in his front garden in Moffat either.

There's also the 701 out of Moffat I've also heard is a great road.

Planning to be done, bike to be purchased.

[Beancounter]

Post up any nice bits of DnG if you do go. I've ridden the 708 from Moffat a couple of years back and yes, very scenic. Not forgetting the bloke with the full size spitfire in his front garden in Moffat either.

There's also the 701 out of Moffat I've also heard is a great road.

Planning to be done, bike to be purchased.

Headed to D&G on Wednesday. Circumstances meant it was a late start and therefore a Calimoto route to a destination (Prestonpans, East Lothian to New Galloway, D&G) rather than exploring D&G.

I did the B797 from Abington through Leadhills and Wanlockhead to Mennock/A76. The B797 has just been resurfaced for the first six miles heading south east and is lovely. The rest of the road is in good condition though there was fresh surface dressing coming through Wanlockhead. There are a couple of bits that can catch you out, particularly the left/right chicane bridge across the burn about 1.5 miles from the A76 junction - Google Maps doesn't do it justice as it's easy to approach it too quickly and there are no chevron boards or warning triangles.

IMG_20220928_131936 (Small).jpg (85.11 KiB) Viewed 301 times

IMG_20211018_122530 (Small).jpg (81.79 KiB) Viewed 301 times

At the A76 headed south to Thornhill and picked up the A702 towards New Galloway. Once at Moniaive I picked up the B729. This is largely singletrack with passing places. The scenery is amazing, the road surface less so. There are a couple of deep potholes but they're easy to spot and avoid because it's not a fast road. I also got buzzed by an RAF A400 Atlas whilst on the B729.

Couldn't get my phone out quick enough -

IMG_20220928_150629 (Small).jpg (98.52 KiB) Viewed 301 times

On to the B7000 to St. John's Town of Dalry - more of the same as the B729. From there on to the A702 to Elvanfoot (J14 of the A74(M)). The A702 is mint. Properly mint. Little traffic, beautiful scenery and twisty tarmac. There are a couple of sections, a mile long each which have been surface dressed and require care but other than that it's amazing.

Once back at Elvanfoot I headed south on the B7076/B719/A701 to Moffat and then the A708 out past St. Mary's Loch. By this point it had started to rain and I was concerned about losing daylight (the headlight on my GSA might as well be powered by a hamster on a wheel) so headed north on the B709 to Traquair and Innerleithen which is another good road - not fast but very involving.

[Felix]

I was down St Marys last weekend and found a nice wee single track road

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/Tweed ... authuser=0

This is the decent down Talla Reservoir



Im sure i seen Prince from Purple Rain

[Dodgy69]

Progress made.....GS bought and first night of two booked. Savoy Park Hotel, Ayr.

From Ayr it'll be over to Mennack and over the pass. Under the m74 picking up 701 just north of Moffat and up towards Peebles. We will then turn downwards somewhere. A7 or A68. 2nd night somewhere in Northumberland, not booked yet, route not sorted. We may just follow our beak.

[demographic]

I worked up at Leadhills for about a week a while ago.
The road from Elvenfoot to Leadhills was even a pleasure in a beat up Transit van.

On a side note, the gamekeepers up at Leadhills have been caught out killing birds of prey time and time again, it seems to me that whoever owns the grouse estate up there will know damn fine well it's going on and is complicit. I did hear who owned it but I forgot.

[Druid]

A68 is a better road than the A7, unless you're in a hurry

[Beancounter]

Progress made.....GS bought and first night of two booked. Savoy Park Hotel, Ayr.

From Ayr it'll be over to Mennack and over the pass. Under the m74 picking up 701 just north of Moffat and up towards Peebles. We will then turn downwards somewhere. A7 or A68. 2nd night somewhere in Northumberland, not booked yet, route not sorted. We may just follow our beak.

The A701 is a good road but I think the A708 along St Mary's Loch is better. The A68 is better than the A7. Watch out for speed cameras on the faster roads.

If you've got the time, you could do the A713 from Ayr to Carsphairn, on to the B729 to Moniaive, then A702 and A76 to Mennock - though I'm now torn between the Mennock Pass and the A702 to Elvanfoot.