National 2025 – Balloch O Dee Campsite, Newton Stewart, Dumfries & Galloway – 4-7th Sept 2025

[Steve T]

Finally got the piccies off of my phone . . .

This was Fridays "Steves little Bimble" ride . . . 138 miles later

Steve T

 

[RickSkye]

Was having a really crap time packing up, things breaking, stuff refusing to pack into original container. People wanting hand shakes (joke). But after most had left, it stopped raining, so was able to get kit on in the dry. Then catch on waterproof trousers broke, so relying on zip to hold, thankfully it did hold till home. Left at 08:33, home at 14: 50. With 23 miles spare between range and actual miles to go, chickened out and refuelled at Perth Tesco.
Went north from camp site on some really knarly single track, cattle grid with the bars sunk, bit of a crunch as I went over it, but stayed on. No cars for first half hour and only 6 for the second.
Got thru Glasgow before substantial rain, had to ease off for a bit, but largely dry for rest of run home. The hastily purchased, cheapest breathable jacket, from go outdoors, XXL, performed great for an over jacket.

Thanks to all for a great time and some great chats.
Simon and me discussing the lunacy of cave diving, then Simon pointing out what we do for a pass time may be lunacy to others.

But highlight of the trip was the custard doughnut from Debs, maybe it was the company or the ambiance, but one of the best I have had.

Looking at the other posts, with theirs great photography, the insta 360 looks amazing.
I only took 2 photos, that was at the café that was shut.

Oh, once one more because the wife didn't believe me. We live a sheltered life

Huge thanks to everyone for organising and participating.
Hope everyone is reinvigorated and set to get back to the day to day challenges of life.
I am just off to scrape the moss off the path, so wife doesn't slip again.

 

[LargeWayRound]

Its been a long time since I was at a XRV event so great to see all the old friends agsin.
Well done to Steve for organising and Debs for looking after the moneys.
Also well done to Steve for not taking the car
Had a great time and a good laugh
Apart from not finding a open cafe on Friday but the search continued on Saturday and we finally found one. With the odd marching band , shire horses, awesome roads and comic moments thrown in.

 

[The Don]

some stunning photos! Glad you all had a great time and even more peed off I could not make this year ......

 

[Rubberchicken]

The toilets deserve a mention...

Quite roomy, and just a few pictures of kittens shy of what'sherface from Harry Potter... "A-hem"

 

[Rubberchicken]

And then there is the bed situation...

 

[Rubberchicken]

One of those beaches you don't associate with Scotland somehow

The lighthouse. Hell of a view

Some involuntary hedge trimming when a wanker in a 3 series came around the corner all racing lines leaving me nowhere to go but straight into the scenery. Note tyre track for trajectory - pretty much straight through the middle of that big bush next to where my bike is parked:

You know you've done a job when there's grass hanging off the other side of the bike too.

Raiders Road was fun

Bet it's popular with wild campers judging by the mess

Love a bit of scenery...

On the way back, said hi to Hadrian's Wall, and anyone familiar with the book and/or film "Stardust" will understand why I just had to stop for a picture in this particular town:

And that was that. Buhbye UK, see you next time

 

[Stubbsie]

A tip top weekend of wit, banter and repartee, not forgetting catching up with everyone and introducing Lou to you all.
She had previously met Debs, Glenn, Hudders and Jim Millington.
Some top scoff catering was muchly appreciated and thank you Debs for organising a super weekend soirée.
Great ride out to the most southerly point in Scotlandshire, the Mull of Galloway, then Portpayrick for a mooch,then off to Stranraer to the medieval house/victorian prison to visit Hudders old cell mate.
The haggis and chips with curry sauce was fab too.
A smooth ride home via Castle Douglas then we hit the rain, torrential rain, we both remained dry and got home safe and sound.
Lou says thank you for welcoming her for her first National.
Once again thanks Debs et al for a super Scottish National

 

[Rubberchicken]

Yes. Thanks Debs and Steve for organising, it was great fun once again.
Also thanks to Whealie and Cabbie for the banter and the food.

 

[Cabbie]

you mean sun block and straw hat right....?

 

[Stuart D]

Thanks for a fab weekend, even tho it was too short. Thanks to all participants, with a special thanks to Steve T & Debs.
How do we fancy Machynlleth for 2026?

 

[Whealie]

What a fab place for the National and great to see so many familiar faces. This i a bit of a screen dump of pictures. Glad to see a few were taken of Cabby et al sleeping in the roundhouse. See you all the second weekend in September next year, if not before.

 

[Rubberchicken]

Ha, I saw that salmon thing as well, considered taking a pic of it but forgot in the end.

I like the big tent small tent juxtaposition of this:

I did conclude that my "going minimalistic" approach might've been a bit too much for a basecamp, do have to admit that Vango ballroom is looking pretty good for aging knees.

 

[RickSkye]

Who gave me this sore throat and runny nose!

 

[Cabbie]

Who gave me this sore throat and runny nose!

#Covid

 

[boboneleg]

Sorry I missed you all this year , it looks like you all had fun

 

[Lowflyer]

What a fab place for the National and great to see so many familiar faces. This i a bit of a screen dump of pictures. Glad to see a few were taken of Cabby et al sleeping in the roundhouse. See you all the second weekend in September next year, if not before.View attachment 5018View attachment 5019View attachment 5020View attachment 5021View attachment 5022View attachment 5023View attachment 5024View attachment 5025View attachment 5026View attachment 5027View attachment 5028View attachment 5029View attachment 5030View attachment 5031View attachment 5032View attachment 5033View attachment 5034View attachment 5035View attachment 5036View attachment 5037View attachment 5038View attachment 5039View attachment 5040View attachment 5041View attachment 5042

Something fishy about that salmon

 

[Rubberchicken]

Oh, turns out I had some damage after all.

The bike tipped over on the ferry home while I was strapping it down. I'd loosely tied one strap to the right hand crash bar and while tying down the left side I had to take a detour because the strap had a knot in it, then all the straps for half the boat were already taken, and by the time I had another one and was about to tighten it, so many other people had tied their bikes down that that steel cable they run across the deck ran a LOT tighter and my loosely tied strap suddenly pulled the bike over. Into a bulkhead. Arse.

I thought the only damage was a snapped plastic strap buckle on my tank bag and having to put the doubletake mirrors straight again, but wait there's more. I never even noticed this on the 90 minutes motorway home, but this morning something was decidedly off:

Dotted line for effect:

Yeah that's bent allright.

 

[Rubberchicken]

Oh yeah, here's one of Cabbie rocking his grey beard