Total distance: 55.24 miles; total ascent 2215 feet; Ave Speed 10.2mph; Maximum speed 28.mph; total time in saddle 5 hours 26 minutes.
Today has been a day of unexpected r&r thanks to a reassessment of the route over breakfast. Russ couldn’t understand why he’d incorporated a couple of dog-legs into the route, which when removed, lost nothing in pleasure, but more than 16 miles off the days planned 72.
As a result I’m sitting in our room at the Gillbank Guest House in Thornhill at 5pm writing this entry. We are still a full day ahead of schedule, but were able to achieve this will only 56 miles for the day. This was actually pretty good news all round. We both looked and felt decidedly worn out this morning and after a miserable last hour’s ride in the rain, things have worked out pretty well and it was good to finish at around 3pm.
It was grey and very overcast as we left Carlisle this morning, but before we knew it we’d made Gretna and as a result obviously crossed into Scotland.
Russ hasn’t been to Scotland before and to be honest it’s not particularly impressive until you get north of Dumfries, when the countryside rolls out before you and immediately you begin to feel and understand that solitude of the Scottish countryside in a way that the Lake District and other touristy areas of beauty can’t quite deliver.
The cycle paths of Dumfries were up to the standards of their English counterparts before them, although they did take us through a particularly depressing council estate before the countryside enveloped us once more and we made our way towards Thornhill. Sadly it was this last part, the most attractive of the day, that delivered steady rain and when we arrived at the Guest House in Thornhill we were particularly pleased the be shown a nice room with large shower.
Russ dived in first and has also decided to wash some stuff, quite whether it’ll dry for the morning we’re not sure. More disappointingly I was about to have my shower when it seems all the hot water has gone. The guest house owner cannot give a decent enough answer as to why this should be, however I note from the guest information in the room they are heavily into green issues and make great play about showers operating at half pressure and only boiling enough water rather than filling the kettle blah blah. I guess therefore they only fire up the hot water for half an hour a day. Not impressed, still at least I can write this whilst waiting for the ‘boost’ button to work it’s magic.
We eat at a pub next door at 8 and then to bed. We’ve asked for breakfast at 7.30 so we can make progress to Largs, tomorrow’s planned destination.
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