Riding the full breadth of southern Scotland in two days is no easy task. CW editor Simon Richardson prays for a tailwind on the new, 246-mile Kirkpatrick coast-to-coast route
As I climb slowly out of bed my thoughts immediately turn to my shoes. Are they dry? The previous evening, the first thing I did after check ing into our hotel in Langholm, tired, wet and dirty, was get in the shower and thoroughly wash my once-pristine white shoes. Covered in grime and soaked through, I got them sparkling clean before I turned the soap on myself. I’d smuggled some thick paper hand towels out of a cafe earlier in the day, knowing I’d need to stuff them in my shoes overnight. I can’t start a ride with wet shoes. I just can’t. So in that cafe, even before I was halfway through day one, my thoughts had leapt for ward to the start of day two.
The towels and heated towel rail had worked their magic. My shoes were clean and dry, and with fresh kit laid out, I instantly felt more positive about the 100 or so miles that lay ahead. A quick breakfast and we were soon getting the bike out of the back of the car.
It was raining. Hard. In fact it had been raining most of the night, and water was streaming across the roads.
Two minutes later, on a quick circle of the town to navigate the one-way system, I’ve picked up the route on my Wahoo head unit. I find myself riding past the front of our warm, dry hotel. Mile zero and my shoes and socks are drenched. Completely soaked through. Ah well, it was nice while it lasted. Let’s get going.
A wet welcome
I’m in southern Scotland riding the new K irkpatrick coast-to-coast route that officially opens this year. Named after Scottish Blacksmith K irkpatrick Macmillan who is credited with inventing the first treadle bicycle, it’s a 246-mile route from Stranraer in the west to Eyemouth on the east coast, along cycle routes, paths, quiet roads and through some stunning scenery. It’s a part of the country steeped in a bloody history of battles bet ween the English and the Scots, littered with castles and abbeys, and home to a rugged coastline and rolling green hills. And despite the rain we’re encountering, it’s something of a haven for cycling.
