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Kirkpatrick Macmillan Bicentenary

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Started 12 years ago by crowriver
Latest reply from sallyhinch

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Kirkpatrick Macmillan ride Dumfries Glasgow Bicentenary

crowriver
Member

2 September 2012 marks the 200th anniversary of Kirkpatrick Macmillan, Scots inventor of the first pedal bicycle.

I presume the CTC will once again be organising the annual Kirkpatrick Macmillan Rally near Dumfries. I have heard of tentative plans to re-enact his 68 mile ride from Dumfries-shire to Glasgow (minus knocking down the pedestrian, of course). It's a charidee ride though, and I've had enough of those just now (see threads passim).

I have an inkling to do that route sometime, just for fun. Might other forumers be interested?

Posted 12 years ago #
kaputnik
Moderator

Might indeed.

Anth might have the Sunbeam up and running for the tricentennial run too! ;)

Posted 12 years ago #
crowriver
Member

From the ~~hasty internet browsing~~ in-depth research conducted so far, it would seem Macmillan's route would have followed what is now the A76 through Kilmarnock, which might not make for the most pleasant cycle ride. Alternatives would include NCN 7 via the Ayrshire coast, or the (as yet incomplete) NCN74 through Moffat and over the hills. The latter might be a tad strenuous!

We might be able to cook up a DIY route given decent maps. CycleStreets a bit incomplete in that region, but Googol maps/Sustrans online mapping may help.

Posted 12 years ago #
Roibeard
Member

In the recent Sustrans sale, I bought the southern Scottish NCN maps and the National Byway South West Scotland map as the NCN isn't well developed in this region.

There may well be some routes or part routes there than would be appropriate, although I think the Byway runs west from Carlisle rather than north.

Would you like these brought to Peter's Yard on Friday? I'll be late, so a handover then might only work if you're around near 0900...

Robert

Posted 12 years ago #
crowriver
Member

Oooh, Rob, that would be handy. I just have the Lochs and Glens North map. Might just make it to Peter's Yard this week for a change, as I am going in for a late start at work on Friday. Sorry, I meant heading to my more northerly ivory tower...

If practical, I shall try and devise a route which allows a visit to the nearby Scottish Cycle Museum.

Posted 12 years ago #
cb
Member

One option:

Dumfries to Cycle Museum is easy by quiet roads. Then back roads to Sanquhar.

B740 to Crawfordjohn. Then north on the B7078 (a cycle route) following the line of the M74. Route choices increase the close to Glasgow you get.

Posted 12 years ago #
crowriver
Member

Interesting. That's partly National Route 74. Shadowing M74 might be a bit grim mind. Will look at it though.

Another possibility is B729-A713-B730-B751 skirting Kilmarnock, then A77 into Glasgow, shadowing M77. Quite a bit longer but possibly more scenic. Suggested on CTC forum.

Posted 12 years ago #
splitshift
Member

scottish cycling museum !!!!! oh oh we are going yes, please !!!!Hope they dont mind 20 teenagers !!

Posted 12 years ago #
Roibeard
Member

I think a CCE trip to the Scottish Cycling Museum would have to be done (at least partially) by bike, and taking your oddest bike would be compulsory for those that have a choice.

I'm sure we could easily make the cycle racks as unusual and intriguing as the exhibits!

Robert

Posted 12 years ago #
crowriver
Member

I've been looking again at routes (thanks Roibeard for the loan of maps). B7078 looks quite interesting, using as it does the former A74 'ghost' road. However it is quite far from Macmillan's original route, likely to have been what is now the A76. B729-A713-B730-B751 is closer to his route. I'm a bit torn on this one.

Looking also at possible dates. Some way ahead, but I'm looking at Saturday 4th August as a likely date. It would have been this month but the schedule is just filling up, as it does. July I'm out of the country.

Any forumers who fancy a longish ride from Dumfries to Glasgow (circa 70 to 90 miles depending upon the exact route) please mark 4th August in your calendar.

Posted 12 years ago #
sallyhinch
Member

Let me know as plans firm up. 70-90 miles is a bit much for me, but I can let other Dumfries folks know...

Posted 12 years ago #
Tom
Member

Don't expect the Cycle Museum at Drumlanrig to be vast. It's very good but quite small. The tea-room is perfect for hungry cyclists. And there's a shop which has some bike related books, maps etc. Well worth a visit.

Posted 12 years ago #
Claggy Cog
Member

I love some of the artifacts. I am old enough to remember the John Bull blue tin puncture repair "outfit" very clearly, but I particularly like the Camberwell one, having lived there for some time, (do we still call them outfits - probably not). I also vaguely remember Romac puncture repair kits, although not using them, perhaps they belonged to the owner of the one of the first big bikes that I rode, a sit-up-and-beg Raleigh belonging to my great-aunt.

As for the enamel badges, I think some of them are wonderful.

Posted 12 years ago #
crowriver
Member

I'm edging towards the shorter route via Sanquhar and the old A74. 92 miles instead 113. Somewhat less climbing involved too.

Initial routes below. May need fine tuning, especially the Glasgow section.

http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=409377

http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=409371

@sallyhinch, you could maybe just do the run to Sanquhar, then retrace steps or hop on a train?

Feel free to notify Dumfries cyclists you think may be interested. I might contact the local CTC branch too. I'll probably stay in Dumfries the night beforehand, as I'm coming by train. If you know of any good, reasonably priced B&Bs please advise.

Posted 12 years ago #
sallyhinch
Member

On the whole, getting the train to Sanquhar and cycling back to Dumfries is more my speed ... much more downhill!

I know the local CTC guy, I'm sure he'd be happy to spread the word. There's also the vintage bike folks - they might well be up for it. There's one chap who does quite impressive distances on an assortment of ancient bikes, and all in tweed of course.

I've only stayed in a Dumfries B&B once so can't really recommend any, FWIW it was this one http://www.glencairnvilla.co.uk/ and it was fine.

Posted 12 years ago #
crowriver
Member

Just back from a very hot sunny place. Edinburgh and Scotland rather dreich as usual. Forecast is looking a bit grim for the weekend so the ride is on hold.

A pity because if the weather was a bit drier it would make a nice trip. However I'm not prepared to cycle a century in pouring rain and thunderstorms.....neither I imagine is anyone else!

Sigh.

Posted 12 years ago #
crowriver
Member

Aargh. It's only gone and turned into a lovely day. Should have gone...

Posted 12 years ago #
sallyhinch
Member

no, you made the right call. Torrential rain and thunderstorms here in Dumfries. Can't imagine it would have been much better further north from the scary black clouds...

Posted 12 years ago #
gembo
Member

Sunny in Ayr in the morning but clouds rolled in (according to my mum)

Posted 12 years ago #
crowriver
Member

Phew! Thanks folks. We've been enjoying a nice day i Edinburgh but rain due tomorrow I reckon...

Posted 12 years ago #
crowriver
Member

Thinking about finally riding this route in the summer. Unfinished business...

Unfortunately the Scottish Cycle Museum no longer exists. It seems to have been turned into a gift shop and tearoom.

Posted 6 years ago #
sallyhinch
Member

There's still the cottage at Keir Mill.

If you firm up plans and are interested in company let me know, I can spread the word locally. I'm sure the CTC lot would be interested. I'd offer to join you for some of the route but I'm very slow.

Dumfries to Sanquhar via Keir Mill can be done all on back roads and is lovely. Not gone further north. Avoid the A76 as much as you can because it's really horrible

Posted 6 years ago #

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