Our longest ride of the year will be to Edinburgh via Bathgate. Previously, we have done rides to Edinburgh starting in Airdrie, but this one will be cycling all the way. We will set out via the East End of Glasgow, climb steadily up to Coatbridge and Airdrie, and then join the railway path to Bathgate.

After lunch in Bathgate, we will continue eastwards, skirting Livingston, to join the Union Canal through Ratho, then leave it to head into Edinburgh through the western suburbs, and onwards into the City Centre. Finishing at Waverley Station for a train home.
52 miles, on a mix of paths, quiet roads and some busier roads in places. Options to return from other stations, including Bathgate (32 miles).

Meet, as usual, on the north bank of the River Clyde, at the SEC, just to the east of Bell’s Bridge, at 10:00 hrs on Sunday 05 July.

For more information about GoBike rides, see here

On Sunday 07 June, 5 of us set off on our ride to the sea. Out through Govan on roads some of which were new to us and then we joined the cycle route as we got nearer to Paisley. The rain started just short of Lochwinnoch, making it a good time to get into the cafe.

Back on the bikes we continued westward, keeping on the cycle route, with the rain starting again just a bit too far away from our destination. We kept going and finally arrived, in the wind and rain, right out at the shore in Irvine.

Then, realising that a train back to the city was almost due, we raced back to the station, with the wind behind us and just managed to get on the train at the back – bliss!

Here’s a link to the route: https://www.plotaroute.com/route/3343364?units=km which was 37.76 miles, as I recorded it.
If you should be downloading it, ignore the wee section right at the end – my hands and my phone were so wet just as we got on the train that I couldn’t stop the recording – hence it showing a maximum speed of 41.7mph – ScotRail assisted, of course!

July’s ride, 05 July, is longer still, east to Edinburgh, again with an option to cut it short and get a train back from Bathgate

This ride will go out through Govan and Paisley to join the NCN route 7 to Irvine, much of which is railway path. We will stop at Lochwinnoch for lunch at Castle Semple Country Park, or in the town. Once we arrive in Irvine we will visit the beach, before returning to Glasgow by train

38 miles, largely on paths and quieter roads, and most of the hill climbing is around Dalry. Option to return from Lochwinnoch station (20 miles).

We will meet at the SEC, just to the east of the north end of Bell’s Bridge at 10:00

For more information on GoBike rides, please see here

Seven of us set off, some weeks ago now, from the SEC and made our way north through Kelvingrove Park, North Woodside, Firhill, Possilpark, Parkhouse, skirting Milton and then Bishopbriggs to reach the Forth and Clyde canal.

A few miles along the canal towpath brought us to Kirkintilloch for a refreshment/toilet break, before we turned off the canal path towards Milton of Campsie, cycling past hordes of bluebells and wild garlic.

We continued past Lennoxtown to reach Strathblane. Then it was the major hill up to Mugdock Country Park – not many bikes there, but lots of cars in the carparks – these people don’t know what they are missing.

Lunch at the cafe was followed by a mainly downhill journey back through the park past the Mugdock Loch and then it was past the Mugdock Reservoir to Milngavie, on to the Bears Way. We cut through Bearsden and into the Glasgow University grounds before the official end of the ride with the choice of getting back into the city along the Kelvin Walkway or the busier Maryhill Road.

It’s almost time for the next GoBike ride, out to the west, next Sunday, 07 June – details to follow (or see the website)!

Then we will cycle along the path to Strathblane. We continue up to Mugdock Country Park for a lunch stop, then back into Glasgow along the Bears Way and Kelvin Walkway.

32 miles, mostly on paths and quieter roads, with a big climb up to Mugdock. Some unsealed paths within Mugdock Country Park.

We meet, as usual at 10am at the north end of Bell’s Bridge, Congress Road, Glasgow.

For more information about GoBike rides, see: https://www.gobike.org/about-us/cycle-rides

We cycled along and over the Govan Bridge, then continued west, into the wind and the hail and sleet started. Through Drumoyne and over the motorway towards Hillington – and under the motorway: decision time!
We turned around, into the snow and back towards the city. It was a joy to get into the Clyde Tunnel, where it was warm and dry.

Once north of the river again we made our way home, hoping that our next ride out, on Sunday 03 May, going north to Strathblane, will be pleasanter!

Then we will go into Erskine on the New Town’s path network, to end up at the waterfront. Next will be the Erskine Bridge, then return through Clydebank to Glasgow on the Loch Lomond path.

26 miles, a mix of paths and back streets, only a few short bits on busier roads, and little in the way of climbing. Potentially stopping in Clydebank for lunch.

Meet at 10:00 Sunday 05 April at the north end of Bell’s Bridge near the SEC.

For more information about GoBike rides see here

Just six of us set off on a rainy day – the official first day of spring, for a journey to the north -east of the city. Yet again, there was somewhere new for each of us.

We cycled into the city and up to Sighthill, before turning east to skirt Hogganfield Loch, some of our route along cycle lanes part full of mud and past flytipping sites. We skirted Lenzie and cycled through Merkland, before heading towards the Forth and Clyde Canal.

Here we met the most surprising structure on the ride:

Yes, we stopped at the south side and watched cars drive through before we ventured under the bridge, carefully keeping to the centre of the road to smile happily for this photo.

Then it was up to the canal for the ride back to Glasgow, with a lunch stop at the Stables Pub en route.
The ride officially finished at the Stockingfield Bridge over the canal, distance 23 miles with riders then making their way back home, most of us towards the city.

Here’s the route, should you wish to check it out: https://www.plotaroute.com/route/3247559?units=km

Our next ride will be on Sunday, 05 April, heading west to Erskine, see here for details

This ride will see us head northeast from Glasgow, stopping briefly in Hogganfield Park, see photo above, and then over the council boundary into North Lanarkshire and East Dunbartonshire.

We will use some country lanes and the Strathkelvin Railway Path, then head to Merkland Nature Reserve. After that, we will join the Forth & Clyde Canal for the return to Glasgow, with potential for a stop at The Stables.
25 miles, mostly on paths and quieter roads, but some bits on main roads here and there, and one big hill. Some unsealed paths as well.

Meet 10am at the north end of Bell’s Bridge, next to Congress Road, Glasgow.

For more information on GoBike cycle rides, see here.

Nine of us set off on Sunday 01 February, along by the Clyde and then through Newton as we started to climb – here’s the full route: https://www.plotaroute.com/route/3220777

From the high point we turned and returned to the city via Cathkin, Burnside and King’s Park – past lots and lots of pebble-dashed houses. The South City Way led us back to the Clutha crossroads (with its not-so-excellent traffic light system where the ride ended.

Of the 9 who set off 1 person left us when we moved away from the Clyde and 2 southsiders left on our return to the city centre.

March’s ride will be on Sunday 01 March, when we head out to the north-east via Hogganfield Park for a 25-miler.