Routes in and around where we live.....Part 1

This post will definitely be a bit of a work in progress, as I have realised just how many options there actually are. Hopefully many will already know these well, however there may be some for whom this information will be of some use - even those exploring Glasgow for the first time.

National Cycle Route – Glasgow to Balloch, Loch Lomond

This route has two options for getting from Glasgow to Clydebank. The first is to take the National Cycle Route along the River Clyde to where it meets the Forth and Clyde Canal, or alternatively use the canal towpath all the way to Clydebank from it’s start at Port Dundas north of Cowcaddens. My choice for a nicer run if you have time would be to use the canal as you don’t have to worry about any road crossings etc. Once you reach Clydebank, you will stay on or join the canal path which will take you out to the sea lock at Bowling. If only there was a nice wee pub there it would be a perfect run. Leaving Bowling the route is mainly on cycle paths all the way to Balloch at Loch Lomond with some lovely scenery on the way. The path along the River Leven can be a bit of a slog and an energy sapper as you are on a slight incline all the way, so perhaps consider doing this route in reverse? Once you reach Balloch you can again take the train back to Glasgow or cycle back if you’re feeling energetic.

Total length of route – 21 miles - plan a minimum of 3 hours to get to Balloch.

Stopping places – McGonagles, the 'Sail Through Chip Shop' at Clydebank – on the canal (they even do Gluten free). Perfect if you’re only doing a short evening run along the canal and back to Glasgow via the cycle path. Bowling canal lock is nice for a picnic on a sunny day.

Pubs – Tullie Inn and the Balloch House are either side of the bridge above the cycle path as you reach Balloch. Both are near the station for those with tired legs or simply a thirst for a pint.

Option for shorter routes – Get the train back from several points en route including Bowling, Dumbarton and Alexandria.

National Cycle Routes 75 and 7- Glasgow City Centre to Irvine

This route takes you south west from Glasgow City Centre starting at the Clyde walkway to Irvine on the Ayrshire Coast via Paisley, Lochwinnoch and Kilwinning. Mainly on traffic free cycle routes ( about 75% ) this route is fairly easy to follow once you’ve done it a couple of times. At certain points you will be required to cross some roads, and any sections which require you to cycle on roads for short distances, these are generally quiet. There are plenty of signs but you need to look out for them and there are opportunities for getting lost – watch out for a turning after the footbridge leading into the park before Rosshall Hospital – you need to go straight on and not take a right as the sign here is not obvious. This route is fairly flat with only small gradients to deal with, but there are some hillier sections as you near Kilwinning on the minor country road. Don’t be fooled as we were that it’s downhill all the way after Lochwinnoch. Once you reach Irvine the Ship Inn can be found if you follow signs to the station but carry on under the railway track to the end of the harbour. Unless you want to cycle back you can get the train from Irvine back to Glasgow.

Total length of route – 35miles – plan a minimum of 6 hours to get all the way to Irvine.

Stopping places – Castle Semple Loch at Lochwinnoch – lovely for a picnic if it’s a nice day.

Pubs – The Brown Bull in Lochwinnoch and the Ship Inn on the harbour front at Irvine. Both do good food.

Options for shorter routes – get the train from Johnstone, Lochwinnoch or Kilwinning back to Glasgow.

National Cycle Route 75 – Glasgow to Gourock

This route follows the one above until you get to Johnstone. From here it branches off and follows a disused railway track all the way to Kilmalcolm which is well used by cyclists and walkers. Once you leave Kilmalcom, there are sections on small minor roads which are fairly quiet, with stunning views available over the Firth of Clyde as you reach Port Glasgow. The descent into Port Glasgow is pretty steep and can be a bit hairy! From here on in you are more or less on and off roads until you reach the Esplanade in Greenock where the route takes you on a pavement designated cycle only path all the way to the Gourock ferry terminals. Between Johnstone and Kilmalcolm there is a chance to branch off to the right where you will see signs for Houston which has a great pub (The Fox and Hounds) attached to a brewery for the real ale enthusiast. Houston also has several other pubs, a lot for a small village, which you can try if this doesn’t take your fancy. Allow an extra 40 mins or so each way if you decide to take this detour. Once you reach Gourock, again you can pop on the train back to Glasgow.

Total length of route – 26 miles - plan a minimum of 5 hours to get all the way to Gourock.

Stopping Places – plenty of picnic spots along the way. Bridge of Weir has a couple of coffee shops. You pass a big Asda just outside Johnstone where you can pick up a picnic.

Pubs – Pullman Tavern in Kilmalcolm, has a beer garden on sunny days but can be busy. In Gourock there are a couple of pubs within minutes walk of the railway station, and the Cafe Continental on Kempock Street does pretty decent food.

Option for shorter routes – none after Johnstone. Your next railway station will be Port Glasgow.

Glasgow - Erskine Bridge loop

For a map click   http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=201316007435304884837.0004a3a2a36e1a858f8c6&z=12

This is a route which can be broken down into several stages already described in other routes. Starting in Glasgow at the Clyde Walkway, the first leg is to ride out on the cycle route towards Bowling either on the canal or the National Cycle Route. As you approach the Erskine Bridge towering over you, you come to a road crossing marked by black bike gates to either side. Take a right over the bridge and then an immediate left onto the road going west. About a hundred yards further on you will see a path up to your right across the road, which leads up through the Lusset Glen ( which is very pretty ) to the bridge above. A steady climb up, with some fairly steep sections will reward you at the apex of the bridge where you can get great views west, or back over the city on a clear day.

Once you get over the bridge, take a sharp left before you meet the roundabout and slip road. There’s a path leading down here to the road below, which you then need to rejoin. Soon after you turn left down a quiet road which takes you to the shore, where there is a house, and you will find the continuation of this route as a path to your right. Effectively you follow this back along the Clyde – quite a nice route that I’m amazed we didn’t know about before, on past the Erskine Bridge Hotel – and it will finally take you out onto the road leading to Erskine itself – go left.

From here you’re on the road for quite a bit but they are quiet. Going straight on you will pass over one roundabout and come to a junction where signage to your left says – ‘No through route to Inchinnan’. You can however take this on your bike OK and carry on through Inchinnan and then on round the road at the north of Glasgow Airport runway. There’s a lay-by here where you can watch the flights approaching pretty close above your head! Continue on this road taking a left after the next bridge. Once you have crossed the next red steel bridge, the path appears again to your sharp left, again hugging the waters edge and taking you round the back of the Normandy Hotel. All you have to do is follow this path until it rejoins the road, where about 250 yards further on you will find yourself at the junction at Ferry Road. Options from here on are either the Ferry to Yoker or carry on through Govan as described before. Hopefully the attached map will help iron out any difficulties as this is actually quite a good run!

Total length of route – 26 miles – allow at least 3.5 hours

Stopping places – plenty along the way.

Pubs – The Ferry Inn, Renfrew / The Mint Hotel, not much really in Erskine to rely on.

Options for a shorter route – trains can be used on the north of the river, but there is no railway line within easy reach on the south side.