Meeting Point and Times
Meet on the north bank of the Clyde in the open space just east of Bell’s Bridge, Glasgow. It’s by the Armadillo, between the road and riverside path (see OpenStreetMap address). Rides usually start at 10am (unless otherwise stated).
Rides are generally around 20-30 miles in length, although winter rides are shorter. Often there is the option to return by train for a shorter ride. On longer summer rides a lunch break is usually taken in a suitable café or pub en route, although you are welcome to bring your own picnic if you wish. Rides are usually on tarmac surfaces (road or path) and suitable for most types of bikes (e.g. tourer, racer, hybrid, mountain bike). Occasionally, there may be sections of route on rougher paths or tracks – see ride descriptions for details.
GoBike rides are social rides for GoBike members, and are not a club run. We would ask that anyone coming along adheres to the rules of the road, rides no more than two abreast, and takes the safety of other riders around them into account when cycling.
A GoBike ride tackling one of Glasgow’s quadruple carriageway roads
Cycle Rides and Events for 2024
Rides organised by GoBike except where stated.
Sunday 7 April 2024 – The Annual Infrastructure Ride
Our postponed annual ride focusing on cycle infrastructure in Glasgow will now take place in April. We shall take a look at a number of new and recent developments on the north side of the city, starting by heading for the Riverside Museum where we will see the new bridge to Govan taking shape. Then we will follow the cycle route to the University of Glasgow, part of which is currently still taking shape, and see the new section of the University Campus built on the site of the former Western Infirmary. Then it will be off to the Claypits Nature Reserve, followed by Sighthill. Then we will continue east, and visit Hogganfield Park and Tollcross Park, before returning into Glasgow via the upgraded East City Way. We will finish at the Tradeston Bridge in time for lunch. There will be a zig-zag theme to the ride.
18 miles, with some mostly short sections on main roads.
Meet 10am Bell’s Bridge, Congress Road, Glasgow.
Rated:
Sunday 5 May 2024 – Bishopton & Erskine Bridge
This ride will see us heading out to Renfrewshire via Govan and Hillington. We will see progress on the Paisley-Renfrew path, and use the new cycle facilities in the Glasgow Airport and Inchinnan areas, then take a tour around the Dargavel area. After that, we will head for the Erskine Bridge and cross to the north side of the River Clyde. Return to Glasgow will be via Clydebank where we may stop for lunch.
30 miles, with one short section on a main road.
Meet 10am Bell’s Bridge, Congress Road, Glasgow.
Rated:
Sunday 2 June 2024 – Whitelee Wind Farm
For our June ride, we will head up to the Whitelee Wind Farm. The route out will be through the South Side of Glasgow, Rouken Glen Park and Newton Mearns, and the return will be through East Kilbride and King’s Park. Along the way we will see new cycle infrastructure in Newton Mearns and East Kilbride, as well as at the end of the ride in the Merchant City. For lunch, we will visit the café at the wind farm Visitors’ Centre.
45 miles, including around 10 miles off-road across the wind farm site, so will not be particularly suitable for bikes with skinny tyres.
Meet 10am Bell’s Bridge, Congress Road, Glasgow.
Rated:
Sunday 7 July 2024 – Loch Lomond & Gare Loch
Our July ride will see us cycle out to Balloch and Helensburgh. The morning route will be largely following NCN route 7 through Dumbarton to Balloch, and then after lunch, we will head over to the Gare Loch via Glen Fruin. There will be plenty of views to be seen along the way, and the return to Glasgow will be by train from Helensburgh.
40 miles, with the hills all after lunch.
Meet 10am Bell’s Bridge, Congress Road, Glasgow.
Rated:
Sunday 4 August 2024 – Strathclyde Park Circular
This ride will see us visit Strathclyde Country Park, with the outward route via Cambuslang, Blantyre and Bothwell, and return via Bellshill and Mount Vernon. The lunch stop will be at Strathclyde Park itself, and we’ll follow the East City Way to end up back at Glasgow Green.
30 miles, with some climbs here and there along the way, and a section on main road to get between sections of protected cycle lane.
Meet 10am Bell’s Bridge, Congress Road, Glasgow.
Rated:
Further rides around the Glasgow area will be announced shortly.
Key to symbols: | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Ride on paths (cycle paths, paths in parks, etc) | Significant/moderate hill climbing | |||
Ride on canal towpaths | Steps en route | |||
Ride on rough tracks (farm or forest tracks, unmade paths, etc) | Gate or stile en route | |||
Ride on quiet roads (residential streets, country lanes) | Ford en route | |||
Ride on busy roads | Train to start | |||
Booking required | Train home from finish | |||
Stall or static event | Ferry crossing involved |
= GoBike star rating: 1 being easiest, 5 most challenging, based on distance, gradients, etc.
Where do you want to cycle to? Let us know of your suggestions for future cycle rides.
For other led cycle rides in the Glasgow area see
CyclingUK Glasgow,
Belles on Bikes Glasgow, Belles on Bikes Cumbernauld
while for the Edinburgh area see Cycling Edinburgh
and for Ayrshire see CyclingUK Ayrshire.
Mellow Velo organises rides across Central Scotland, and occasionally further afield.
Bike Events Scotland lists cycling-related events from all over Scotland.