ALMOST 300 cyclists descended on the ancestral home of the Duke of Buccleuch to gear-up for an annual charity ride.
Now in its fourth year, the Drumlanrig Tearfund Challenge saw the biggest number of entries ever on Saturday with cyclists coming from as far away as London to ride 84 miles through some of Britain’s most beautiful scenery. “The event went really well on Saturday,” said organiser Rolf Buwert, “the weather was perfect, and everyone had a brilliant time. “We do expect a few people to drop out at the last minute, but we had fewer this year, which demonstrates the riders’ determination to be at Drumlanrig and be part of the event. “On the day, 298 riders turned up.” The challenge, which took place on Saturday, is not a race, but a timer ride, where each rider tries to complete the course safely at a consistent speed, achieving a good personal speed. The three course options took them through the Nith valley, Mennock, Leadhills and Elvanfoot, Dalveen, Tynron, Moniaive, Loch Urr, Dunscore and Keir Mill, where the first bicycle was invented.
There was also a gentle tea and cakes ride to Dunscore church from the castle.