Scotland’s Biking Heaven
‘Scotland’s Biking Heaven’ is how the Galloway tourist board describe the region, and it’s not just hyperbole. I have just spent a week in Newtown Stewart, which borders the Galloway forest, after hearing that it had been officially designated as a ‘Dark Sky Park’. (It has the lowest light pollution in Europe, which means it’s a star gazers delight).
Unfortunately star gazing in June is a waste of time because it doesn’t get dark until 11pm and even then the sky has a blue tinge to it. Dawn is 4am, so you have a very short window for star gazing. If it’s a cloudy day you can forget it.
Luckily I took bikes with me, and I’m really glad I did. The roads are very quiet which makes cycling a pleasure. Scotland has a small population compared to England, so you have the countryside and roads all to yourself.
However it’s not just the quiet country roads that make this part of Scotland a ‘Biking Heaven’, it’s the well maintained forest trails. I ride a Hybrid bicycle which is a combination of road bike and mountain bike. Inside the Kirroughtree forest are different trails, colour coded from green (easy) to black (severe).
The green and blue (moderate) routes are suitable for hybrid bikes and they are fantastic. I am now thinking about getting a mountain bike, because I would like to cycle the red (difficult) and black routes.
I shall return in the Autumn to cycle during the day, and star gaze at night. Sometimes it’s possible to see the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) from here and that would be a life’s ambition achieved. 
Marathon Runner, Drinker and Artist, Blogging for Pleasure and Profit.
Scotland?s Biking Heaven…
I found your entry interesting so I’ve added a Trackback to it on my weblog
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I see it’s your passion.
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John McNally
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June 29th, 2010 at 8:23 pm
Cycling is growing on me Michael.
I was knocked off my bike about 10 years ago, so that put me off for a while.
John
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Hi John,
Pity about the lack of star gazing but at least you got some exercise.
When in Scotland I have always found that the drivers are far more considerate on the roads than in our part of the UK. They always slow down and give cyclists and walkers a wide berth, here they seem to take delight in seeing how close they can pass you.
Regards,
Bill
[Reply]
John McNally
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June 29th, 2010 at 8:28 pm
I found that in Scotland as well Bill.
I have cycled in France, Belgium, Holland and Germany, and ALL OF THEM have better mannered car drivers than in England. English people seem to have an infatuation with the car, and everything takes second place to it.
I’ll be going back to Scotland in the Autumn, or Spring of next year.
John
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Thank you so much, there aren’t enough posts on this… or at least i cant find them. I am turning into such a blog nut, I just cant get enough and this is such an important topic… i’ll be sure to write something about your site
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John McNally
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July 15th, 2010 at 7:56 am
Blog nuts and everyone else welcome here Woodrow.
I hope you visit again.
John
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Hey, thanks a lot for the nice read. I would have liked to subscribe to your RSS feed. However unfortunately it never seem to be working in my browser. Are there other people having this trouble? I’ll come back in a bit to check back. Regardless thank you again for the good read.
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John McNally
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July 22nd, 2010 at 6:19 am
I haven’t got a RSS feed yet Lester, but it’s on my “to do” list.
John
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This is actually the second time I have noticed your internet site within the last couple weeks. Appears like I ought to take note of it.
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John McNally
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July 22nd, 2010 at 6:20 am
Third time could be lucky Cathleen.
John
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Hi John- quite a passionate post if I may say so. Scotland is an excellent place for mountainbiking, particularly with a hardtail bike.
Very jealous as it’s too far for me- perhaps I’ll convince my wife to holiday there (and bring my bike along as well!)
[Reply]
John McNally
Reply:
August 19th, 2010 at 3:43 pm
I didn’t realise my passion transmitted Adam, but you’re right – It was one of the best holidays I’ve ever had.
You are also correct, it would have been much better on a hardtail bike. 
I had a look at your site, and like the magnified bicycle photos, you really can inspect everything in detail.
Perhaps some regular flowers and chocolates will get you to Scotland’s biking heaven?
John
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