from my trip diary originally
posted at Crazy Guy on a Bike
Day 10, Ayr to Dumfries via the Doon Valley
Wednesday September 14, 2016, 67 miles (107 km) - Total so far:
507 miles (816 km)
I was trying desperately to close the gap, and do extra miles. I broke
secret camp by the river in Ayr at 7 a.m. and headed out of town. I was
so tired, and there was an uphill. I didn't have much in my tank. Just a
rice yoghurt thing. Didn't bother to boil water for tea. At Patna, a
sorry sort of town, found a bakery and bought two sausage buns for 1.90.
Also made my tea. It was a slog to Dalmellington where I woke up. I was
following the Doon Valley. I have an idea of the novel Lorna Doon, must
revisit it. But at a certain point the valley narrows, you can imagine
the highway robbers falling upon hapless travelers.I stopped at the
Carsphairn Tea Room which was a welcoming place. After placing my order I
said as an aside I ran out without paying once already on this trip.
Then as I got up to go after eating my cake I said bye bye and the guy
said, Aren't you going to pay? Sheesh.
The B road to Moniave was
excellent, though a big climb was involved, traversing the Southern
Uplands. The second half of the ride to Dunscore was downright pleasant,
then there was another climb, and equally long descent. I made it to
Dumfries determined to keep going and made it to the other side of town
when a downpour came, along with evening traffic . . .and I had to
reason with myself--is this safe. I had a warmshower host in my phone so
called James last minute and out of the blue. James said YES and met me
at the train station.
Now I'm clean, laundry is hanging up to dry, and there is a pizza party happening. 66.6 miles, and there is a plan for tomorrow!
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| First and Last |
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| traversing the Doon Valley |
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| B road through forests |
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| Moniaive is a village in the Parish of Glencairn, in Dumfries and
Galloway, South-West Scotland. Moniaive has been named best overall
small village in the Nithsdale in Bloom competition five times in a row |
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