So, once again the Masonic Arms in Gatehouse of Fleet was the starting point, with Duncan still being the only one who can remember how to get on a bike.
Managed to take a picture of the pub this time. Go me.
Set out following National Route 7 again, but this time instead of turning off to Anwoth, it was straight on and up towards the old railway line.
See, route 7.
Uphill for nearly 7 miles along a very quiet road.
This is Rusko Tower, built in the 16th Century, and now someone's house.
Someone clearly doesn't mind the mud, do they?
Still climbing, but up to 340ft now.
One of the funky mileposts you see every so often when out on a bike. The Royal Bank Of Scotland spent a few quid sticking these up all over the country.
Before they went bankrupt of course.
Well, almost at the old station now. That's Cairnsmore in the distance.
Up to 510ft now, and it's the old trackbed of the Dumfries to Stranraer line, "The Portpatrick Railway". It's a fairly good surface here, but it's hard work cycling along it, as the impression of the sleepers is still evident. You need rear suspension and a fat arse to be able to get any speed up in comfort.
Looking the other way, this is the actual station building, although now it's someone's house, so you can't go along there.
A couple of pictures of Gatehouse Station culled from the internet again. Looking west towards Creetown, the buildings are still recognizable in the photo from the 1960's.
So, lacking the suspension, it's back off the railway line and onto the adjacent road, which makes up the official "offroad" route 7, onto the Cairnsmore of Fleet nature reserve. That's the Big Water Of Fleet viaduct you can see in the distance. 20 arches.
The Clints Of Dromore rising up. The railway line runs just the other side of that little green hill, and in places goes through very narrow cuttings. This way is a bit longer, but mainly downhill on some nice tarmac. Apart from avoiding the sheep, a nice respite after the climb up from the sea.
Viaduct!
Quite impressive stuff.
All the brickwork was added to strengthen the viaduct during the war, to carry the convoy cargo that came into Stranraer on the west coast.
And they held it all together with bits of old rail. It's seen better days really.
Risking life and limb to get these shots.
It doesn't lean as much as this picture shows, honest.
Up the embankment, and onto the old trackbed, and this is the scene at the end of the viaduct.
The security fence has been partially removed, after having been closed off for a decade or so.
Supposedly, Sustrans own it now, so it's possible they're planning to make it safer and open the route up in future.
Artistic shot. It's really high up actually. No safety net or anything.
This is possibly for keeping sand in. It just sort of hangs over the edge of the embankment. Quite odd.
You can still see the impression of the old railway line and where the ballast was banked up at the sides. 43 years since the track went.
It's a very big embankment leading up to the viaduct.
Look how clean that bike is. Makes a nice change.
This is looking west, back along the line towards the old station
So, viaduct behind, it's off again along route 7 and onto the proper off-road bit.
A dark and dingy forest.
But just around the corner, here's a scene of devastation. Looks like a bomb's gone off.
This is where all the trees have gone. A lot of logs, stacked up along the roadside for the next mile or so.
The logging machines make a bit of a mess of the road, so when they're done, they fill in the muddy bits and the holes with this really coarse crushed stone. Not nice for cycling on at all. There was a bit too much of this.
Action shot! We've had cows, we've had sheep, and now we have goats.
Wild goats. They weren't hanging around to have their picture taken though.
Where was Doctor Doolittle?
Cairnsmore. Don't often get to see it from this angle. The sun came out at this point, and with no cover, it was baking hot.
Wherever the loggers have been, there were these solitary trees trunks left standing every few hundred yards. Maybe it's for the birds.
A bit further along the trail, looking back at Loch Grannoch.
Past the highest point now, which is about 900ft, so until we get to Clatteringshaws Loch, most of it is downhill.
First view of Clatteringshaws Loch in the distance.
The loggers are working in this area, and the track is starting to get churned up.
The other side of the logging activities, looking back up the hill. Very muddy in the middle section, rather precarious on the steep downhill bit. Looking forward to that section on the return journey.
Almost there now. That's the first look at Clatteringshaws Dam.
And there it is up close.
Built in the mid 1930's, so it's quite an old one.
Can't get along the top of it though, which is a shame. I'll be in trouble again, taking all these pictures.
Peering through the railings and looking along the top of the dam.
So in the gathering gloom, it's time to head back the same way.
See, official Route 7 signs.
That hill looks far more intimidating when you're tired. Didn't look that steep on the way down.
It is that steep. For a mile. The muddy bit up beyond these logs was fun. Very low gear, just trying not to stop, because you wouldn't get going again. At least the logging crew had stopped and gone home by this time. You don't want an audience.
Our intrepid explorer discovers the mythical source of the Black Horse's Best Scotch.
Lots of pedalling later and the forest gives way to the Big Water Of Fleet Viaduct again.
And yes, the water really is that colour. It's the peat that does it.
Luckily, don't have to pedal up there.
So, back the same way down the valley to Gatehouse and the pub, before heading off to collapse in a big heap.
Time for one last artistic shot of dusk across the Fleet Bay.
Next time, it'll be back on more familiar terrain, and perhaps someone else might manage to do some cycling as well.
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