This is the Tour d'Écosse take two. Lionel Birnie and Simon Gill return to Gretna, the first town visitors to Scotland reach after crossing the border from north west England, to finally get their ride underway.

Starting from Gretna's Raydale Park ground, it's a ride of just over 75 kilometres to Castle Douglas. They tick off the first two football grounds – Annan Athletic's Galabank and Palmerston Park, the home of Queen of the South.

Lionel sets out alone because Simon has some last-minute mechanical issues that require professional assistance. On the way, they meet Giancarlo Rinaldi who explains the history of Scotland's Italian immigrants and that the bicycle was invented in Dumfries, and Lionel proves to be quite handy at curling... although Simon insists it's just beginner's luck.

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The Tour d'Écosse routes were created using the Hammerhead dashboard and Lionel and Simon followed the yellow line and the Karoo 2's turn-by-turn directions from Gretna to Dingwall. For a limited time, listeners to The Cycling Podcast can get a free heart-rate monitor with the purchase of a Hammerhead Karoo 2. Visit hammerhead.io and use promo code CYCLE at checkout when you've added both items to your cart.

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The Cycling Podcast was founded in 2013 by Richard Moore, Daniel Friebe and Lionel Birnie.

S10 Ep141: Explore | Tour d'Écosse stage 1: Gretna – Castle Douglas