Spring Fling

CTC & Spring Fling Bike Ride

CTC RIDES – SPRING FLING 2012

The Cyclist’s Touring Club (CTC), Dumfries and Galloway Member Group, organises lead rides in D&G throughout the year. These broadly fall into two types, the Discovery and Sunday Rides, described below, and for some years now we have had a ride on the Saturday of the Spring Fling weekend. This year, in honour of the 10th Anniversary of Spring Fling were running rides on three days, as detailed below. These are very sociable rides with visits to studios en route, giving oppurtunity to see a great variety of work, speak with the artists and craftspeople and in some cases watch them at work. And we do lunch!

CTC D&G Discovery Rides are easy paced rides, of around 20 miles, for the more casual cyclist. Max speed is typically around 10 mph. They are designed to explore the country-side and features of D&G; in the case of Spring Fling Rides including visits to around 4-6 studios en route. SF Rides last longer than regular Discovery Rides as time is spent in the various studios.

CTC Sunday Rides are faster longer rides for the more experienced cyclist. Usually about 15 mph and in the 40-60 mile range.

CTC welcome all riders with a suitable safe bike. Ages 17 and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian, or have signed permission. And, this being Scotland, even in June please bring suitable clothing, waterproofs, water and snacks.

See our website http://www.dandgcycling.org.uk for general information on CTC rides in D&G.

Please note that the details below are based on best information at the time of writing. Routes and the order in which studios are visited may change depending on conditions and the ‘temper’ of the ride on the day. Spring Fling is a popular event and cyclists are cautioned to expect more vehicles on the minor roads (often single track) than normal.

For booking details please see below each ride.

SATURDAY 2 JUNE 

Ride A: Saturday 2nd June 2012: Discovery Ride – Tynron and Moniaive

Meet in Thornhill (opposite the Co-op) at 09:45 for briefing, and underway by 10:00. Anticipate back in Thornhill by about 17:00.

Studios

i. Freda Blackwood (Studio 53), Scrubbieknowe nr Tynron. Drawings and prints, and ‘Paper batik’. From life drawings to the endlessly fascinating stane walls of D&G.

ii. Jane Blair (Studio 51), Lannhall Cottage nr Tynron. Painting, inspired by the pastoral and weather patterns in the area.

iii. Clare Melinsky (Studio 52), Lannhall Cottage nr Tynron. Strong lino cut prints for illustrations, packaging and book covers.

iv. Melville Brotherston (Studio 48), Mill Studio nr Moniaive, Painting, exploring the drama of Scotland’s landscape.

v. Joyce Woodcock (Studio 47), Knockaughley House nr Moniaive. Fabrics using natural materials and dyes; from silk scarfs to narrative tapestry.

vi. Leeming and Peterson (Studio 49), The Institute, Moniaive. Creative photography, locations in D&G.

vii. Silvana McLean (Studio 50), The Tower House, Moniaive. Etchings and monoprints, with emphasis on the subtle patterns and colours of the seaweeds of Skye.

Lunch Stop

Moniaive. Green Tea Room or the Craigdarroch (rider preference)

Route

Leave Thornhill on the A702 through Penpont, then climb the ‘Clone’ to Freda Blackwood’s studio. Right onto the ‘alternative’ Tynron road and along the ridge to Lannhall Cottage. Now into Tynron and over the hill to Moniave (there are steep uphill and downhill sections on this stretch, but a great view from the top – make sure your brakes are in good order). Depending on time and conditions we’ll ride out the few miles to the studios on the Carsphairn road (47 & 48) and return to Moniaive for lunch, or ‘do’ lunch first and then the studios. We finish off with the studios in Moniave itself. The ride will return to Thornhill past the beautiful Maxwelton Chapel if conditions are favourable.

Distance and Gradients

 About 22 miles. All on tarmac, with one very steep climb & downhill (which we can walk).

Ride Leader & Booking

Mike Gray: 01387 270995 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

SUNDAY 3 JUNE

Ride B: Sunday 3rd June: Sunday Ride – Minnigaff and The Machars

Meet at Wigtown (town hall) at 08:45 for briefing, and a 09:00 start. Anticipate back in Wigtown by around 17:00.

Studios

i. Stewart Lammie (Studio 5), Minnigaff, Newtown Stewart. Landscape painting, the big skies and coastline of D&G especially.

ii. Kay Ribbens (Studio 2), Mochrum Park House nr Kirkcowan. Textile hats from the ordinary to the extraordinary.

iii. Lisa Hooper (Studio 1), Prints and batik works portraying the landscape, birds and wildlife of Scotland.

iv. Hope London (Studio 4), Bladnoch Bridge. Artwork, prints and drawings illustrating contemporary social issues.

v. Kim Ayres (Studio 6), ReadingLasses, Wigtown. Artist in residence at the 2011 Wigtown Book Festival – around 170 photographic portraits of the Festival authors and visitors, and the residents.

Lunch

In Portwilliam.

Route

The ride sets off along the quiet cycle route to Newtown Stewart and Minnigaff, then up to Challoch (with its fine church) and the Three Loch’s road. Part way along we’ll drop down to Kirkcowan and thence weave our way to the coast and enjoy the views down to Port William. Back over the N Machers to Bladnoch and finaly the few miles back into Wigtown and ReadingLasses (where we may just partake of more refreshments).

Distance and Gradients

About 55 miles. One steep climb (from Challoch up to the 3 Loch’s road) & several steady ascents. And, of course, some good decents!

Ride Leader & Booking

Ted Norfolk: 01988 700432 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

MONDAY 4 JUNE

Ride C: Monday 4th June: Discovery Ride – Forest and Coast

Meet in Kippford (car park) 09:45 for 10:00. Anticipate back around 17:00.

Studios

i. Christine Smith (Studio 37), Barnbarroch. Ceramics, from penguins to things large enough to sit on! Amazing what you can do with clay!!

ii. Phil Howard (Studio 36), Barrhill Road, Dalbeattie. This year focussing on the art and craft of the turned wooden bowl, from the utilitarian to the decorative.

iii. Roger Lever (Studio 35), New Station Road, Dalbeattie. Capturing the essence through photography, from the Western Isles to the Plains of Africa.

iv. Phillipa Sinclair (Studio 39), Colvend Public Hall. Colourist with strong colours drawing inspiration from the land, sea and sky, and the works of man.

v. John Threlfall (Studio 38), Rockcliffe. Painting and sketches inspired by the wildlife and habitat of coastal Britain.

Lunch

In Dalbeattie

Route

Initially leaving Kippford with a short climb to Barnbarroch, then cut to Dabeattie through the SW corner of Dalbeattie Woods. Leave Dalbeattie on the B794 and turn into the forest again, taking the easier paths down to Colvend. By road round to Rockcliffe, and lastly back to Kippford via the coastal path (may walk this stretch depending on conditions; about a mile). Lots of forest & coastal scenery. Since much of the ride is on forest roads and tracks, a wide tyre bike is recommended.

Distance and Gradients

About 20 miles. Grades are undulating and mild to medium.

Ride Leader & Booking

Mike Gray: 01387 270995 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)