Eden Valley Cycling UK

Because of the length of the route (110 miles approx)  the ride will set off at 9am from Central Avenue, Gretna.    To get to the start travel into Gretna and at the roundabout take the 2nd exit onto Annan road.    At the traffic lights turn left onto Central Avenue.   There is a free car park on the left after the shops. The route will be to Moffat via Lockerbie, then up the A708 past the Grey Mare's tail and St Mary's Loch.   We then turn south to Tushielaw and down the Eskdale valley to Langholm before the finish at Gretna.   There are potential refreshment stops at Lockerbie, Moffat where I expect we will stop for lunch (40 miles), St Mary's Loch and possible one or two places between there and Langholm.   I suggest you also bring some refreshments of your own.   The route cannot be shortened much after Moffat but can be increased if riders wish!!    This route is a good introduction to riding in the Scottish Borders and roads are generally quiet - even the A class ro

 Leaving Dalston Car Park at 10.30. Out via Wreay, Armathwaite (bridge at 11.30) and Kirkoswald (about mid-day). 20 miles there at a moderate pace. We'll arrange a route back after the picnic. If interested text Mike 07906896503. Don't forget Bill's more strenuous appetiser (see below) and Rachel's plan: Coffee at Melmerby at 11.00, then ride to Long Meg at 11.45. Rachel 07763032740

Thanks to Rachel for arranging a meet up at Melmerby on Sunday (see comment on previous picnic blog).   I'm planning to ride up Hartside before our summer picnic at Long Meg - it would be good to have a bit of company. I will be cycling from home and will be at Penrith Beacon Edge by about 10.00. If anyone would care to join me then let me know (07921 297 045).  Bill

 Ride this Wednesday 23 June, Yad Moss loop. Weather looking kind, should have a tail wind on the high tops!  Stops as required / requested!  09.30 Start at Langwathby.  Bike Route Planner - Ride with GPS Above should be the route, please message if riding 07531 211 513  Martin Young 

 Meet at Long Meg stone circle by Little Salkeld next Sunday at 1pm for a summer picnic. Come by yourself, or better still, come along with others. There are spaces on the Runs List (or use WhatsApp) to publicise your plans and let others know. Bring your own food, enjoy some good company and catch up with people you haven't seen for a while. Hope to see lots of you on Sunday

First time leading a ride so hopefully it all goes smoothly. A novelty for me as I don't normally plan routes I just head in a general direction & make it up as I go ... I never get lost though I just make unplanned diversions! Leaving Dalston at 09.30 hours for Caldbeck & over the common to Uldale (about 15 mile). Mae's tearoom for coffee or early lunch. Onto Ireby, Bothel & Gilcrux & north along the Solway Coast to Allonby & Silloth (about 40 mile) for coffee/late lunch/ice cream or BYO picnic. Return via Abbeytown, Lessonhall & Orton Grange. After Uldale the route is pancake flat .... honest! The route can be viewed & a gpx file downloaded from  here Please text me (include name) on 07855534727 if you intend coming along. Thanks.

 As per the list meet 0930 Kirkby Stephen Cloisters (free car park near the Grammar School if you drive)  the route which may be in either direction is about 90km with 1500m of climbing. There are places to buy things en route (Tan Hill and Barnard castle) in extremis but bring your own supplies if poss it's nicer to stop where there's a good view! Basically Brough via Gt Musgrave up to Selset res and over to Baldersdale thence to Cotherstone and Barnard Castle. Then over the stang into Arkengarthdale and up to Tan hill Inn and back down to KS. Choice of direction will depend on the wind on the day! please text me with your name if you intend coming Geoff  

2 Bike ride on Wednesday 16th June. 9.30am start from Glendale, Cotehill to Pooley Bridge via  Armathwaite, Salkeld Dykes and  Penrith.  Returning  via Greystoke.  Coffee etc possible at Pooley Bridge,  BYO for Lunch.  Please 'phone or text if you intend joining me, all welcome. 07802415607 James

 Hi there This is my first ride as a leader so hopefully we wont get lost. I will be starting from Frenchfield( bottom of hill) at 9.30am and heading out to Strickland  and then onto Maulds Meaburn , over to Orton then to Appleby via Sunbiggin Tarn and home via Colby and Bolton approx 45miles.There are coffee stops at Orton and Appleby but if you prefer to BYO that's Fine. If anyone is interested in joining me can you please text me on 07707215155. Harvey Thompson

Just Rachel and myself joined Geoff today - the rest of you moderate off roaders missed out! Absolutely cracking ride - bridleways and quiet tarmac to Orton and back which Geoff sussed out during lockdown. If he puts it on again in the future, do come along, you won't be disappointed. But - not on your skinny tyre road bike, definitely rough stuff so needs sensible size tyres / gravel / MTB.

Meet at Crowdundle bridge (bit of a layby) NY608282 at the bottom of station Road Culgaith. Bring lunch but we may be able to stop for a coffee in Orton. The weather looks to be dry but overcast. Route includes many options and can be mainly off road but nothing technical (maybe the odd push up a hill?) Gravel tyres 30mmplus best or mtb To give an idea of the route but certainly not all of this is necessary. click to enlarge Let me know by text if you are coming  Geoff

In addition to Bill's ride in the blog below, Rachel is offering a two bike ride at the other end of the county. Meet 9.30   Brough clock tower at junction of A685 and B6276. 11s at Tan Hill via South Stainmore. Then a 3 mile section off-road, narrow tyres not recommended, to Bowes. Then via Cothersone for a picnic lunch at Hannah's Meadow Nature Reserve (above Blackton Reservoir). Distance approx 40 miles. Text Rachel 07763032740

Starting from Dalston 09:30, ride around Carlisle and into the Debatable Lands up to Bewcastle. Return Brampton, Wetheral etc. Bring refreshments as opportunities are sparse before the afternoon - will probably stop for a cup of tea in  Lanercost. Map of likely route below. Please text (07921297045) if you would like to join me. Bill

Meeting for coffee at Melkinthorpe (11 am). A "one" bike ride afterwards to Shap Abbey. Bring your own refreshments. The ride will finish at Askham. Phone number 07763032740. Rachel.