I set off to ride to Preston around 12:15 and when I reached the A6
roundabout over the M6 took the cycle route past the Hob Inn and
onto the old Tram Road cycle route. It was pleasant riding in the
sunshine and it was nice to ride away from the traffic. I reached
the River Ribble where I turned left through Avenham Park and on to
the railway Station.
Crossing the River Ribble into Avenham Park Preston
I caught the 13:41 Glasgow train as far as Carlisle. The station
there is still covered in scaffolding as its massive refurbishing
continues. My next train is the 15:12 to Sanquhar and the departure
screen said it would leave from platform 3. I reached the platform
to find the train was there waiting even though it was only 14:45. I
loaded my bike and waited. The train left on time and trundled
through the sunny countryside.
On the train to Sanquhar
At Dumfries 3 cyclists and bikes got on and they were still there
when I reached Sanquhar. I was the only cyclist that got off. The
sunny day was over and the cloud had rolled in as I set off cycling
SE along the busy A76. I had a strong headwind and sections of the
road surface was quite rough making for an uncomfortable ride. I
didn't have many miles to ride to Mennock where I turned left to
join the B797 through the hills towards Wanlockhead.
Starting my ride at Sanquahar
It is a steady winding climb between spectacular hills and
originally I'd planned to camp a few miles up at a spot I've camped
at before. As rain is due overnight and into tomorrow I thought I'd
continue over the pass to reduce the wet riding tomorrow. I was
disappointed to see that most of the lay-byes were strewn with bags
of rubbish left behind by roadside campers. There were also the old
embers of campfires. When I reached the flat area where I'd
originally planned to camp there were already three cars there so I
was glad I was moving on.
Wanlockhead
As well as general rubbish strewn around each drainage gully had
empty drinks cans on it as they'd been washed there by the rain. The
climb steepened as I got higher but it was nice to see some areas
near the heather with groups of beehives set up. After a descent and
flat stretch another steep climb took me to Wanlockhead village and
a sign saying 'Wanlockhead highest village in Scotland (1530 feet
above sea level)' There was another steep climb to the actual summit
of the pass and a border sign for Lanarkshire.
Leaving Leadhills
I checked for a phone signal but there was none. I continued down
into Leadhills village with a tailwind and a feeling that rain was
due anytime. Through the village I found some flat ground on top of
an old spoil heap and pitched my tent. The expected rain arrived
during the night. There was no FM reception for my radio but I
was able to get long wave and radio 4 to check the news and weather
reports.
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Whittle Wanderer
