Cycling Dumfries
Contact details
Our activities
About us
The pedal bicycle, or so legend has it, was invented in Dumfries and Galloway by Kirkpatrick Macmillan. And it’s no wonder that he did, for the county has some of the best cycling in the country – from the mountain biking trails of the 7Stanes to the miles and miles of quiet rural roads beloved of cycle tourers and racers.
And yet when you look at Dumfries and its surroundings, relatively few people are using bikes simply to get about, depending instead on their cars.
We’re hoping to change that and bring the bike back right into the heart of the community where it was born. Cycling Dumfries is a new kind of cycling campaign – not just for the people who already cycle, and not just for the racers or the mountain bikers or tourers. It’s for everybody who might like to use a bike, or use their bike more, to get to work, school, the shops, the pub, or just out and about.
We campaign for better cycling conditions in and around the town. Some of the things we've done include writing to Councillors, working with Dumfries and Galloway Council on strategies and policies, running the Dumfries Bike Breakfast and demonstrating by cycling to COP26 in Glasgow. We're always keen for more people to join our small campaign group and welcome all comers, whatever your background. You don't even have to have a bike! If this sounds like something you might like to get involved in, please contact us. We usually meet once a month, either virtually or in person.
To find out more visit https://cyclingdumfries.wordpress.com/
Information about the group rides
We meet most months to plan campaign activities and events. These meetings are usually the first Tuesday of the month 6 - 7:30pm in Dumfries. The venue isn't always the same so please follow our blog or facebook page or become a member and receive email updates.
We also run various ride programmes throughout the year.
These include summer rides in July and August for beginners and families, starting from 3 miles for families and anyone new to cycling.
They are safe escorted rides using traffic-free paths and quiet roads wherever possible, lasting no longer than a couple of hours and starting from 3 miles. They’re suitable for all the family and particularly beginners, or anyone who just wants to ride at a gentle pace in congenial company. See https://cyclingdumfries.wordpress.com/summer-rides/ for more details.
Our monthly curiosity rides programme of accessible sociable rides explores the quiet roads and cycle routes around Dumfries.
They’re longer than our summer ones – about 20-25 miles – and a wee bit hillier, but they’ll always be taken at an easy pace with an emphasis on taking time to discover some hidden delights of the area rather than just putting in the miles. Oh, and usually stopping for lunch…
So if the distance seems a bit much for you, just think of it as two 10-12 mile rides – much more doable! See https://cyclingdumfries.wordpress.com/autumn-winter-rides/ for more details.
We also run work parties including leaf clearing, bramble lopping and litter picking on the dedicated walking and cycling routes. And sometimes we run extra ride programmes so check out https://cyclingdumfries.wordpress.com/whats-going-on-2/ for all the latest events and activities.
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