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Now open for bookings at �42 per person in Bunks or �18 per person camping

We have held bunkhouse weekends in England and Scotland before, always quiet weekends with gentle rides out, good chat and group evening meal.  This was like that last year and we hope the same again. I will ask Ced if he is free to lead any rides. 

This is our fourth visit to Scotland and the third to this site, this time again for a bunkhouse weekend. The event is the weekend after Late May Bank Holiday leaving the site on Sunday.  It�s May so we should have good weather, the Forest Drives will be open as well, so we can have �soft� road fun. We are sharing the Bunkhouse and its Showers/ cooking facilities.

Location:

Galloway Activity Centre, 01644 420626 Email [email protected] Loch Ken, Parton, Castle Douglas, DG7 3NQ  http://www.lochken.co.uk/

The site is ten miles north of Castle Douglas on the A713 road to Ayr, on the East side of the Loch Ken in south west Scotland, close to the border with England  The main route through the region is the A75 Gretna, then Dumfries to Stranraer road but Dumfries has both single track tarmacked hill roads as well as good open riding roads with little traffic.  But look out for the speed cameras, deer, sheep and gravel patches.   The centre offers a range of on-site sporting activities (Sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, canoeing, climbing, archery, fishing etc) if you want a break from riding.

Map

http://www.lochken.co.uk/directions

By Road

Aberdeen 220 miles

Dundee 150 miles

Edinburgh 90 miles

Glasgow 75 miles

Manchester 180 miles

Sheffield 220 miles

Bunkhouse

The cost is �40 per person for the weekend for a bunkhouse bed space including bedding MEMBERS ONLY.

Camping:

Camping is an option at �20 per person for the weekend. LARGE Washroom facilities are available in the Main Block which also contains the caf�. MEMBERS ONLY.

Dark Skies:

The Galloway Forest Park is the first area in the U.K. to be awarded Dark Sky status. The extremely low levels of light pollution make ideal conditions for night gazers and star spotters, even though it is a few days before the full moon (2nd June) you should be able to see stars if there is no cloud.

Forest Roads

The Raiders Road Forest Drive is just opposite the site on Loch Ken.  The Carrick Forest Drive is between Stinchar Bridge and Loch Doon. Both these Forest Drives are unsurfaced but ate suitable for road bikes given reasonable weather conditions and care, Last Year 3 RTs did the ride.

Facilities

The bunkhouse is a big lodge with 5 separate bunk rooms each with 4 beds.  We are planning to use 3 of them and they are available as twins to suit couples. There are 3 shower and toilet rooms solely for bunkhouse use. The bunkhouse has a communal area for eating and socialising. The lounge has DVD, video player, T.V. area, dining table where we eat a group meal last year. The bunkhouse is warm with Central Heating.  There is a fully equipped kitchen with ample pots, pans and crockery. Self catering users need to know the closest supermarket is in Castle Douglas which is a 10 mile ride so it is best to shop on the way there. There are smaller shops in the locality if we have forgotten vital items.

There is a an on-site caf� that offers views of Loch Ken and across to Bennan Hill. Visitors can sit, enjoy breakfasts, coffee, home baking, basic meals and watch some of the action on the water or even see some Red Kites swooping overhead. If you wish to purchase more substantial meals such as a full Scottish breakfast, lunch or dinner then �The Smithy� tea room in New Galloway, the Ken Bridge Hotel or Clachan Hotel. all within 7 miles can provide this.  Or �Bunkhousers� can cook in the bunkhouse kitchen, which is what we did last year.  The campers were allowed in because they were well behaved.

Plan:

Arrive Friday (29th) , arrange your own food

Ride out on Saturday (30th) and then a group evening meal

Gentle Ride home on Sunday (31st).

You will be able to stay longer if you want to enjoy the full moon on the 2nd June by arranging it with the camp site

Cost per person is �42 Bunks or �18 camping

Organiser: George Baker

If you wish to pay by PayPal, Credit or Debit card please use the payment buttons below and select the number of places you require. You must then return here and submit the Booking Form with all your correct information.

If you wish to pay by cheque then just complete and submit the Booking Form and you will be given the appropriate payment instructions.

Now Open For Bookings