BACKGROUND...
Sixteen years ago a small group in CTC Scotland had the idea of commemorating the invention of the pedal bicycle with a rally in May - the "KM Rally" - based at Drumlanrig Castle and regularly patronised by many cyclists from Scotland and the North of England. In 2006 we are pleased to invite the whole of CTC and other cyclists to join us for the CTC Kirkpatrick Macmillan Birthday Rides in July/August. This will be held under the auspices of CTC Cycling Holidays & Tours Ltd. who offer financial protection and security.
For KM regulars, this is a different location, and we have many new routes but will also be visiting some old haunts. |
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BIRTHDAY TEA
The Crichton Royal, formerly a hospital, is now used by various universities and colleges. We have arranged to have a cyclists’ service in the Chapel in the centre of the park at 14:30 on Thursday 3rd August and the Birthday Tea will follow at 15:30. The Thursday rides will converge on the Crichton in time for both of these events. |
RIDES
A varied programme will be offered ranging from a 200k Audax to gentle potters. There will be up to 6 rides each day including some off-road opportunities. There will be leaders/guides for the family rides and most of the shorter rides. To supplement cafes and pubs arrangements are being made with Village Halls and Community Centres for refreshment stops.
Our routes include the Solway Coast, the Nith valley, forests, moors and hills. The National Byway and two National Cycle Network routes pass through the area. Roads (apart from the A75, A76 and the A701) are quiet and ideal for cycling - even in August.
The terrain is gently undulating and, while those going on the longer rides may have some significant climbs, the majority of riders will find it relatively easy (after the Peaks and Bala!) but still stimulating.
The detailed route sheets are downloadable from this web site in pdf format so that you can plan in advance, and joining instructions and tickets you have booked will be sent to you some weeks before the event. |
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COMPETITION
We all like a challenge - that’s what Audaxes and the DATC are for. You may not all want to participate in an Audax, but we are providing a 200k one on Sunday 30th for those who do. See the AudaxUK web site for booking details. The Mini-DATC at the Birthday Rides became a tradition after only one appearance, so we are continuing it. We plan a series of events (Audax, Hillclimb, Freewheel, Treasure Hunt, Map-reading and off-road) to form the KM Mini-DATC. It’s fun, and a challenge. Surprise yourself - try it! As usual book for these after you arrive. Nominal charge only. |
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COURTHILL SMITHY
In the village of Keir near Thornhill, Kirkpatrick Macmillan developed his bicycle in 1840. One day’s rides will focus on this village. Close by is Drumlanrig Castle (home of the Duke of Buccleuch) which also houses the Scottish Cycle Museum. You may even get a chance to try out one or two of the machines there. |
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 MOUNTAIN BIKING!
the 7stanes - Scotland's Biking Heaven |
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- Ae
- Mabie
- Dalbeattie
- Kirroughtree
- Glentrool
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 All the centres have a range of rides from the very easy (normal off-road paths suitable for any rider) where you can simply enjoy the scenery and views - not everything is hidden by dense tree cover - to the frankly scary to be ridden only by those with considerable experience and adrenalin junkies.
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Why only 5? The other two are out of the district!
Mountain bikers come from all over the country to ride these superb routes.
Some of the centres have skills courses, where you can be taught how to do this kind of riding. |
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Getting there
We will have the use of at least one bus which can take 12 riders plus bikes to various centres for a day or half-day. Details of how to book will be announced later. There will also be a small charge for transport. There is no charge for using any of the routes in the forests. |
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Ae and Mabie are within easy cycling distance of the base, and include routes which can be ridden by a normal touring bike - give them a try.
Dalbeattie, Kirroughtree and Glentrool are easy to reach by car/minibus.These can offer challenges which you will find hard to match elsewhere in the UK. |
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CTC Branding
To mark a new partnership between CTC and Forest Enterprise Scotland a new CTC-marked route has been created at Glentrool. |
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for complete route details, locations & facilities go to www.7stanes.gov.uk
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THE VENUE
WHERE IS THE COLLEGE?
Just off the A701 (the Edinburgh Road). From the by-pass it is well signed as "Dumfries and Galloway College". We camp behind the main college building (entrance at the northern - left - of the main frontage. For cyclists, the old Caledonian Railway line has been converted into a cycle path and goes from the station to within a short distance of the College.
click here for MULTIMAP
WHAT FACILITIES WILL THERE BE AT THE COLLEGE?
We use the playing field for caravans and camping. As it is a 'live' playing field, vehicle movement will be restricted. If you want to use your car during the week, please keep it in the car park at the front. You may (unless we have dreadful weather!) keep it beside your tent/caravan, but the rule is 'Take it out, keep it out'.
We have space for caravans and motorhomes (no power hook-ups), and various sizes of tents. There are three pitch-sizes. Please measure up your requirements accurately. Space is tight, and we will decide how many pitches of each size there will be once we start to get bookings. We want to optimise the number of people into the available space!
Part of the College building will be open to us from 0700 to 1045 (doors will be locked at 1100). This includes toilets, wash-hand basins and showers. There will be dish-washing facilities for campers, and also field toilets basically for night use. We will use the Sports Hall for some social events (strictly no plated shoes in there) and this adjoins the Refectory where meals will be served and the bar will be situated. There is a small shop for (probably unhealthy as they are liked by the students) snacks and several snack vending machines.
The Event Office will be a Mobile Unit adjacent to the Sports Hall entrance from the rear of the building.
Regrettably the College's accommodation block is now derelict, so you will need to look locally for guesthouses and B&B.
ACCOMMODATION & FOOD
Camping is at the Dumfries & Galloway College at Heathhall (about 4km NE of the centre of Dumfries). There is the Caledonian cycle path from the station to the College.
For those who want a regular bed, accommodation can be found through the websites or phone number listed below. It is suggested that when you find accommodation you book it directly with the establishment. Breakfasts, dinners, drinks and snacks as well as a bar will be available to all in the College Refectory. There is no need to book food in advance.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Arrival: You can arrive any time from late morning on Saturday 29th July and we hope that you will stay until the following Saturday 5th August. Please arrange to leave on that morning so that we can clear the camp site by evening.
Young People: For legal and safety reasons, participants under the age of 18 must have a parent or guardian with them.
Dogs: If you need a dog as a helper, you are welcome to bring it (please tell us when you apply to come), but sorry, no dogs which are purely pets!
GETTING TO DUMFRIES
by train/cycle
- Virgin West Coat Mainline to Carlisle, then cycle by NCN7 to Dumfries (60k) or
- Virgin WCML to Lockerbie (not all trains stop there) then cycle to Dumfries (20k) or
- Virgin WCML to Carlisle, then Scotrail to Dumfries, cycle to the College (4k)
Note: bicycle space on all trains is limited and needs to be booked
by road
from the South: M6 to Carlisle, then A74 & A75 to Dumfries ring road, follow that until A701 Edinburgh, follow signs to College
from North-East Scotland: A701 from Edinburgh. After Locharbriggs, follow signs to College.
from Glasgow: M74 to Beattock, join A701, then as above
The College is : Dunfries & Galloway College, Herries Avenue, Heathhall, DUMFRIES, DG1 3QZ
BOOKING
Send completed booking forms to:
CTC (BR2006), PO Box 510, Isleworth, TW7 6WP
Please download both a booking form and booking information sheet (DOC / PDF) . You can phone 0870 873 0061 and ask for one, but it will be exactly what you get here and will cost us postage and take extra time to get to you!
The detailed route sheets will be downloadable from this web site in pdf format so that you can plan in advance, and joining instructions and tickets you have booked will be sent to you some weeks before the event.
CHARGES
Registration will be £30 for each adult, and £8 for children aged 10-15. No charge for children under 10.
Pitches will be £80 for a standard pitch (11x11m) - a caravan, motorhome or large tent, £70 for 11x8m, and £50 for a small pitch (8x8m) for cycle-campers or a car with a one or two-man tent. There MUST be 6m clear space between your tent/caravan and the adjacent one, that's 3m left, right & back on your pitch. Don't underestimate your needs!
THE PROGRAMME
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Click here to see the final programme, which can help you to plan your week.
If you have got a printed booking form & notes, the web page may be more up-to-date than the printed one.
ENTERTAINMENT
- Burns Supper (Robert Burns worked in Dumfries)
- a quiz with a bit of a difference
- traditional Scottish Ceilidh
- bar
- Bo the Clown (entertainment for all the family)
- guided town walks and cycles
- hill walk and coach tour possible on one or more days for non-cyclists or tired cyclists
Prices for all these are on the booking form. We have tried to make prices for children either nil or only to cover the cost of supplied food.
VISITOR INFORMATION
GENERAL DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY INFORMATION
Dumfries & Galloway is a popular holiday destination, and there are plenty of things for the tourist and sightseer - gardens, natural history, museums, crafts. Even active people like cyclists might want to take some time out to join the tourists. You can get a flavour from the local tourist information website and on the first evening there will be a talk from a local expert on what there is to see in the area.
for travel information - what to see and do - cycling information
or to request Accommodation & "What to See & Do" brochures
phone Dumfries TIC : 01387 253862 or visit their website www.visitdumfriesandgalloway.co.uk
ACCOMMODATION - useful sites
Accommodation is best booked directly with the establishment you select.
www.dgaccommodation.co.uk
www.dumfries-and-galloway.co.uk
www.visitsouthwestscotland.com
www.dgvisitor.co.uk
www.bikingheaven.com
The College has also shown us a list of (uninspected) places it provides to students. These may have the advantage of being close to the College, but may sometimes be simply 'rooms' which are let to students, rather than standard B&Bs. View the list here.
QUESTIONS
QUESTIONS about the EVENT
Read these pages first, please! If that does not answer your questions, please email Event Organiser.
QUESTIONS about BOOKING only
Phone CTC Membership (who are handling the bookings) on 0870 873 0061
For more information about CTC and membership visit www.ctc.org.uk or phone 0870 873 0061.
If you want a paper copy of the printed brochure, click here
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