All sorts of things have delayed my first ride this spring, but today was sunny and dry, if a bit cool. My first ride after the winter lay-up is usually not too far from home, just in case, so I headed into Castle Douglas, then northwards up the east side of Loch Ken to New Galloway, then down the west side.
Near Mossdale, a large deer suddenly bounded out of the trees and across the road about 30-40 yards in front of me. Luckily it’s a slow road, so I didn’t hit it, but it was a reminder of the unexpected hazards that we can face, even when riding at a gentlemanly pace.
Reaching Laurieston, I turned on to one of my favourite roads, through Laurieston Forest towards Gatehouse of Fleet. The sun shining through the new leaves in the forest is always beautiful at this time of year.
The road winds on through the forest, rising steadily until it emerges on to high moorland .
It carries on until it opens out to a fine sea view to the south, with the Isle of Man today clearly visible on the horizon.
Dropping down into the Fleet Valley at Gatehouse, I joined the A75 and had a rather faster ride back to Castle Douglas and on to Dalbeattie to refuel before heading home. The bike ran sweetly all the way, none the worse for its winter slumbers, and it was great to get out on two wheels again, even if it was just 60 miles on familiar roads.
