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We have held events in England, Wales, Ireland and Scotland before, always quiet with gentle rides out, good chat and group evening meal. It 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 fifth visit to Scotland and the fourth to this site, again for a bunkhouse weekend with camping. The event is the last weekend of July. It�s high summer 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 but look out for the midges which the West side of Scotland is infamous for.

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 �43 per person for the two nights for a bunkhouse bed space including bedding MEMBERS ONLY.

Camping:

Camping is an option at �18 per person for the weekend. LARGE (which I am told will take a big wheelchair) 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, this is JUST before the end of the moon phase so you should be able to see stars if there is no cloud.

The Delta Aquarids Meteor Shower should have up to 20 meteors an hour at its peak which this year is on the night of July 28/ morning of the 29^th. The shower runs annually from mid July to late(ish) August. The second quarter moon will block most of the fainter meteors but if you are patient you should still be able to catch quite a few good ones. Best viewing will be from a dark location after midnight but remember the site has security lights. I plan to ride off site a mile or to to enjoy any show.

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, In 2014, 3 full dress 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 2 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 probably cook in the bunkhouse kitchen, which is what we did in some previous years. The campers were allowed in because they were well behaved.

Plan:

Arrive Thusday (28th) , arrange your own food

Ride out on Friday (29th) and then a group evening meal

Gentle Ride home on Saturday (30th).

You will be able to stay longer if you want to enjoy the area, the end of the moon phase and Maybe more meteors by arranging it with the camp site. But be warned there are lights on the site which steal the darkness away.

Cost per person is �43 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.

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