Cycle Routes in Scotland
Trip Routines
I try to go on one of my day trip cycle routes on my e-bike two to three times a month, but it depends on the weather and any commitments.
Trip Template
I plan the trip to combine fun & enjoyment with a good level of exercise. For me, in the summer this is a trip of 30 – 40 miles over the course of the day with a lunch break half-way through. If time doesn’t permit and in the winter, with shorter days and colder weather, I might only cycle 20 – 30 miles on a day trip.
A rough template I have in my head is to cycle for two – three hours in the morning, have a one hour break for lunch, then cycle for two – three hours in the afternoon. On level stretches of the route I normally cycle at a leisurely / steady speed of about 10 – 12 mph, without any assistance from the electric motor. However, I take frequent stops to admire the views, take photographs, chat to other cyclists or people I meet on the trip, etc. Consequently my overall average for the trip is usually about 8 – 9mph.
Arriving at the car park
Normally I take my bike in the car and drive to the start point of the route where I park the car. I unload the bike from the car and check the air pressure in the tyres with the foot pump that I carry in the car and pump up the tyres to the correct pressure as stated on the rim of the tyre. Then I spray some degreaser/lubricant on the chain and drive train. I also normally check the tightness of the bolts that hold my water bottle on the handlebars and also the bolts on the kick stand, as both these sets of bolts can become loose over time due to vibration on rough surfaces and pot holes..
I then slide my saddlebag onto the rack, fit the battery to the bike, press the power button on the display unit and that’s me good to go.
Returning to the car park
When I return I remove the battery and the saddlebag and put them in the car. I then roughly clean down the bike with paper kitchen roll that I carry in the car. Of course this is not a proper clean – it is only good enough to remove dirt and mud from the frame, the mudguards and the wheels and particularly underneath the drive motor casing that always gets covered in dirt.
I then struggle slightly to put the bike in the back of the car. My car is an SUV and with the rear seats folded down the bike fits in length- wise without taking the front wheel off. Although the weight of the bike is reduced because I take the battery off it’s still very heavy and it’s a bit unwieldy due to the wide handlebars on the bike. However, I’ve developed a routine to get the bike in and out without too much bother.
Trip Routes
I have several routes that I do at least once a year. I selected some of these routes from a book that I bought many years ago called “25 Cycle Routes Around Glasgow” by Erl B. Wilkie.
I also prepare some routes based on the NCN map that is available online from Sustrans. (Click here to go to the Sustrans website.)
Sometimes I look at the Ordnance Survey (OS) road map online to plan out my own routes on “B” classified or unclassified, quiet farm roads.
I have listed just a few of these routes below. The full list of my current routes can be found in the Articles page under the category “My Day Trips – Routes”
Each time I do a trip I complete a log of the trip and these are included in the Articles page under the category “My Day Trips – Logs”.
Day Trip Cycle Routes on cycle paths
Paisley - Lochwinnoch (Castle Temple Loch)
Distance: 10 mls. one way / 20 miles return
Terrain: Flat
Start point: Across from the car park at Stow Street, Paisley
Finish: At Castle Semple Loch at the village of Lochwinnoch
Route details : Click here
West Loch Lomond Cycle Path
Distance: 17 mls. one way / 34 mls. return
Terrain: Flat
Start point: At the car park at Lomond Shores Retail/Leisure Centre at Balloch
Finish: At the peir at Tarbet at the top of Loch Lomond
Route details : Click here
Glasgow - Loch Lomond (Balloch)
Distance: 20 mls. one way / 40 mls. return
Terrain: Flat
Start point: NCN 7 cycle path on the banks of the River Clyde at the Crowne Plaza Hotel.
Finish: At the town of Balloch on the shores of Loch Lomond.
Route details : Click here
Day Trip Cycle Routes on roads
Portobello - North Berwick
Distance: 20.5 mls. one way / 41 mls. return
Terrain: Mostly flat
Total Ascent : 1,273 ft.
Start and finish: Portobello Beach
Route details : Click here
Renfrew - Port Glasgow - Kilmacolm
Distance: 37 mls. linear then circular / 24 mls. circular section only
Terrain: Hilly
Total Ascent : 2,575 ft.
Start and finish: 37 mls. – Car park at Braehead entertainment complex, near Renfrew / 24 mls. – anywhere along the circular route
Route details : Click here
Renfrewshire Villages
Distance: 41 miles – linear then circular / 26 miles circular section only
Terrain: Hilly
Total Ascent : 2087 ft.
Start and finish: Car park at Braehead entertainment complex, near Renfrew
Route details : Click here
Day Trip Cycle Routes with steep hill climbs
Kirkintilloch -Kilsyth -Campsie Hills
Distance: 32 mls. circular
Terrain: Canal towpath then two long steep hill climbs in the Campsie hills
Total Ascent : 2,615 ft.
Start and finish: At the Barleybank car park in the centre of Kirkintilloch
Route details : Click here
Aberfoyle - Dukes Pass - Loch Katrine
Distance: 32 mls. circular
Terrain: Long steep hill climb immediately at start, hilly round loch and at start of road back then steady descent
Total Ascent : 2,917 ft.
Start and finish: At the Riverside Car Park off the main street in Aberfoyle
Route details : Click here
Glen Fruin & Glen Douglas from Balloch
Distance: 36 mls. circular
Terrain: Three steep hill climbs, one with hairpin bends, flat section at end
Total Ascent : 2,913 ft.
Start and finish: At the car park at the Lomond Shores Centre at Balloch
Route details : Click here