e2e.bike

Cycling adventures across Britain and beyond

Menu
  • End to Ends
    • Britain
    • Ireland
    • France
    • Belgium
    • Spain
    • Austria
    • Liechtenstein
    • Poland
    • Slovakia
    • Isle of Man
    • Faroes
    • Cuba
    • Sri Lanka
    • Taiwan
  • Coast to Coasts
  • Yorkshire Ridings
  • Others
  • Writings
Menu
← PreviousNext →

Britain 13 (D2S 3): Clatteringshaws Loch to Stranraer

Posted on 25 May 20132 April 2021 by Rob Ainsley


A glorious morning, and what a view to wake up to: the mirrorlike waters of Clatteringshaws Loch in the heart of Galloway Forest Park, right there in front of my tent (picture). And all mine: not another soul for, literally, miles. Not quite mirrorlike enough to see my haggard reflection clearly, which after two weeks of cycling is probably just as well.


I went offroad 15 miles through fabulous loch and mountain scenery (picture) along National Cycle Route 7. Being a Sustrans ‘trunk route’, it was quite breathtaking: I had to keep gasping in amazement at how bad much of the surface was. Luckily I have 38C tyres on my tourer, though here, tractor tyres wouldn’t have been out of place.


After a lot more lovely Galloway scenery on back roads – where ‘rush hour’ is a tractor and car in the same hour – I got to Stranraer mid-afternoon (picture).


Stranraer’s clearly not a boom town, and the relocation of the Stena ferry port in 2011 to Cairnryan, up the road, hasn’t helped. Even the poundshop here has closed down. The harbour (picture) was hardly bustling, but the Custom House pub certainly was, with lots of families, and locals, and bike bloggers using the wifi.

Dunbar to Stranraer has been a memorable and very pleasant trip, with some of Scotland’s less-visited but glorious scenery. There were some of the most enjoyable downhills I’ve had in Britain, and two of the most beautiful and memorable campsite (both by lochs). But, er, just as well I didn’t come here for the beer.

Miles today: 48
Miles since Dunbar: 183
Miles since starting at Penzance: 893

Previous
←   Britain 12 (D2S 2): St Mary’s Loch to Clatteringshaws Loch
Next
Britain 14: Stranraer to Kirkmaiden to Stranraer →

You are here

e2e.bike > Coast to Coasts > Rhyming Coast to Coasts > Britain 13 (D2S 3): Clatteringshaws Loch to Stranraer

Recent Posts

  • Canterbury ales: Kent beer-hop 7 May 2023
  • Harrogate: Cherry blossom polish 29 April 2023
  • Tile Maps Trail 3: Whitby to Middlesbrough 21 April 2023

Random Posts

  • Interrail 9a: Mannheim rocket – the world’s first ever bike ride19 September 2022
    This morning we followed in the footsteps of the world’s first ever …
  • Middleton: Steamy experience at world’s oldest railway10 April 2023
    Yorkshire is a country – sorry, county – of superlatives. Of stuff …
  • Liège 3: Stairing into space3 November 2022
    One of the world’s most unnecessary ‘No Cycling’ signs is probably here …

Search e2e.bike

Find me

        
Facebook • Twitter • Linked In • Email
© 2023 e2e.bike | Powered by Minimalist Blog WordPress Theme