Here’s the route from Sunday, up through the town and on to the Cowcaddens Cycle Lane and over the rusty bridge – the planted areas are coming on and might even block out the motorway traffic soon.

Then it was up through Royston and on to Hogganfield Loch from where we delved into the Seven Lochs. Some of the paths are quite narrow – the routes need more people on them and perhaps some with scythes to cut the vegetation down! We made it through though and on to Drumpellier for a lunch break.

Then it was down to Kirkwood and back to Glasgow via Baillieston, Mount Vernon and on to London Road where the cycle lanes were full of riders from the Chris Hoy Tour de 4. A good day out – and we finished it in the West Bar to celebrate Colin’s birthday!

Here’s the route if you wish to check it out:https://www.plotaroute.com/route/3429877

Our next ride will be on Sunday 04 October, 26 miles out to Erskine and back see here for details

We visited the Seven Lochs Trail shortly after opening, a few years back. So this will be a repeat visit, taking in the route between Hogganfield Loch and Drumpellier Country Park.

On the way out, we hope to use some of the new Avenues routes around the north of the City Centre, before heading out to Hogganfield Park to join the trail. After lunch at the café at Drumpellier, we shall return via another route, briefly seeing the Monkland Canal and the West End of Coatbridge, then back through Bargeddie and Mount Vernon, to finish at Glasgow Green.

26 miles, a mix of paths, cycleways and streets, the occasional climb, and with most of the paths on the Seven Lochs Trail being made but unsealed.

We meet 10am at the north end of Bell’s Bridge, Congress Road, Glasgow.
We may see riders on the Chris Hoy Tour de 4 rides as we make our way out of and return into Glasgow, but expect little disruption to our route.

For further details of GoBike rides see: https://www.gobike.org/about-us/cycle-rides

Superb weather, superb scenery, but a rubbish screen print from Strava, unless you are into these segments, above. Sorry about that. Lots more info below:

You can see that the ride was fairly flat, apart from that inland bump in the middle of the ride. In compensation we had excellent views across the Clyde and out to sea, once we got down to Port Glasgow and then round the coast to Inverkip.

The 9 of us did a grand tour of housing, with cars (mostly 2 cars to 1 house) in Dargavel, before pausing for a rest and a photo and then moved on. We went up and over to Port Glasgow where we got down to the riverside.

Continuing west, we saw this mighty statue:

Then it was on to Greenock for lunch, but not before the delight of seeing this new cycle lane:

It was short, but sweet and gave us time to enjoy the views.
From Greenock we continued, mainly on serviceable cycle paths and shared paths, through Gourock and on to Inverkip. Here, with some time to wait for the next train back, some of us visited the Inverkip Inn before climbing the hill to the station, for a train that became full of people heading to Hampden to see Calvin Harris.

It was a good day out and here’s the route for you to follow should you wish:
https://www.plotaroute.com/route/3402161?units=km

Our next ride will be on Sunday 05 September, heading east to the Seven Lochs trail, between Hogganfield Loch and Drumpellier Country Park, about 26 miles.

This ride will take us down the River Clyde, starting off on the North side and using the Loch Lomond path, then crossing the Renfrew Bridge and joining the path along the A8 towards Bishopton.

From there we will cross the new Dargavel development, seeing how the paths are coming along, before continuing through Langbank, and towards Port Glasgow and Greenock. After a lunch stop in Greenock, there will be an optional continuation around the coast to Inverkip, passing the Cloch Lighthouse.

25 miles to Greenock, 35 miles to Inverkip, a mix of paths, some alongside main roads, and a section on an undulating country road. Return by train from a selection of stations in Inverclyde.

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

We will meet at the north end of Bell’s Bridge at 10:00am, next to Congress Road outside the SEC

If our usual meeting place isn’t available due to Commonwealth Games events, we will meet at the other, south, end of Bell’s Bridge instead.

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!