#GRAUDAX

After moving down to Galloway back in 2020 I’ve been out scouting all my new local tracks and trails. Even through the adversity of locals renouncing the The Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 I’ve some how managed to weave together a 100mi loop out of Castle Douglas. I gave it a trial run earlier this year and it is glorious.

Together with my pals at Studio Velo we want to organise a ride around this loop we’re calling the GRAUDAX. It’s an gravel – audax in that the route is set, there is a time limit and most of the terrain is questionable Scottish gravel. The challenge is to arrive at Studio Velo for 9am, grab a delicious cortado, make your way through some of Galloway’s finest groads quickly enough to get back to the Sulwath Brewery for last orders, that inconveniently closes at 6pm.

I say questionable because you will know fine well that gravel in Scotland doesn’t always mean nicely graded Type 1 forestry tracks. So please be suitable booted.

We’re hoping to get a decent squad together for Saturday 6th of August. We will be leaving Studio Velo in Castle Douglas at 9:30am. The route is remote so I encourage you to bring plenty of food along. There are however two potential resupply stops at around 75km (Clatteringshaws) and 127km (Gatehouse of Fleet). Other than that you’ll need to hold out for your pint of Galloway Gold and scampi fries in the brewery…

Please, please please bring the route with you. I don’t want to read in the Galloway News that some poor bugger got lost and went feral in the deeps of Galloway Forest.

I know not everyone uses Komoot so here is the Strava version, RwGPS version or if all else fails here’s the GPX.

DISCLAIMER

#GRAUDAX is not a race nor a sportive, it’s an open social ride. It is unsupported and you are responsible for your own equipment and more importantly, yourself. You join us at your own risk and you are expected to ride in a safe, considerate manner, both to other road users and other riders.

Call out the hazards, always bring spares, dress like a pro, fill your pockets with scran, enjoy the ride and don’t be a dick.