June was another busy month for the club. Our first ride was almost 50 miles, starting from Falkirk and riding along canal paths to Linlithgow, then out to Queensferry, over the Forth Road Bridge, and back via Culross, Clackmannanshire Bridge , the Kelpies and the Falkirk Wheel. Many thanks to Alastair for leading. I think this “Two Bridges” ride will become an annual fixture.
The next day 5 tandem pairs took part in the first Ford ride Glasgow, which was good fun – we took part in the feeder ride from the south side, rode a circuit around closed roads in the city centre, and some of us even made it up Montrose St, an iconic challenge often used in road race courses in the city including last year’s UCI.
Our last ride was a more gentle affair but still a decent length at 40 miles, out to Kilmacolm and back with some added hills on the way out.
What a great weekend we had in Dunoon! Dry weather and the best team spirit made for great cycling. We were 10 tandem pairs and several solo supporters. Overall distance completed was 160 miles with varying levels of ascent, between 1500 feet and 3000 each day. Friday saw us leave Glasgow along NCN 7 /75 to Houston where we picked up country lanes to Kilmacolm for lunch at Birkmyre, who are always so good to us. Then a wider loop on more country roads high above Greenock before dropping down on a fast descent to the coast for an ice cream stop at the Esplanade before heading off for the ferry. Saturday was the big day – 7 tandems completed the 3 ferries , an iconic west of Scotland ride taking in Bute and the hills between Colintraive and Dunoon. Others opted for a more leisurely tour of Bute. Not content with that, on Sunday we tackled the Ardentinny Alps with 20% gradients. Whilst some had to push for short sections, 3 pairs cycled all the way – respect! Others opted for an out and back to Ardentinny, avoiding the hilly section. Some hardy souls then had a dip in the sea at Dunoon West Bay. We returned on Monday on a lovely route on the bike path above Greenock, then quiet roads to Ingliston Country club for lunch, then returning on the bike path to Glasgow. Many thanks to Martin and Bikexplore for hours of organising, and to the Esplanade hotel in Dunoon who made us most welcome.
Swimming in the Firth of Clyde
View from the Balcony of the Esplanade Hotel, showing palm trees and the original metalwork gate, looking over the esplanade to the bay. On a clear day Arran and Bute can be seen in the distance.
Julie and Martin on their tandem at the top of the second hill. Still smiling!
Anne at Tarsan Dam, showing hills behind and signage for the Dam
Ice cream stop! The Esplanade cafe does one of the best Italian ice creams in the West of Scotland
Lovely sunshine as we prepared to leave
The five minute ferry from Rubodach on Bute to Colintraive on Cowal we had all to ourselves!
Graeme, Michael and Chris on a break after the first hill
Tandems nicely lined up on the Gourock to Dunoon ferry
We’ll be having a taster session for new pilots and stokers on Saturday 20th April at 10.30am , in Bellahouston Park. Contact Anne for more information – contact details below
We decided on an extra ride this month to give members another chance to get into training for our Dunoon weekend. A hilly route with about 2000 feet of ascent over 38 miles took us up to the windfarm for a lunch stop then back over Bonnyton Moor, to Waterfoot, Thorntonhall and Carmunnock . We did get a rather severe soaking shortly after the start, inculding hailstones, but after that the weather improved and the sun came out. You could almost think it was spring, passing the wee lambs in the fields and all the roadside daffodils.
5 tandem pairs and one solo rider made a nice compact group. It was great to see our new e- tandem , funded by Cycling UK cycleshare scheme, in use once again. We did have a couple of mechanical problems along the way and our solo rider had to retire early with a bottom bracket problem! But a great day out none the less.
The picture shows Anne, Chris and Ian and some daffodils during a brief stop in Carmunnock.
Saturday saw 8 tandems take on 2 rides. The first group of two , ably supported by Ian as solo, went out to Bridge of Weir and back , a total of 24 miles. Lucky them, managed to avoid a heavy rain shower , whilst the rest pressed on into the headwind to Kilmacolm, having decided against opting for the original planned longer route up over the hills. After a welcome coffee at Birkmyre, the return journey was along country roads as far as Quarriers Village where we picked up the bike path once again, then the westerly wind gave us a helping hand back to base. A total of 36 miles and a few short hills. The picture shows the group before setting off after the break at Birkmyre,
Our ride on 25th June was determined by rail strikes and the need to avoid a large event in the city centre, so we opted for a run to Lochwinnoch. Heading out via quiet residential streets to Paisley, we picked up the cycle path to have a traffic free run most of the way. At Howwood we split into two groups, one of which continued along the path and the other tested pilots and stokers legs uphill for a mile and a half before a lovely descent into the village for lunch at Castle Semple loch. Then a pleasant return along the path via Leverndale and Ross Hall park . Four tandem pairs and 3 solos enjoyed the sunshine. At 32 miles, this was Helen’s longest ride to date, so well done Helen and all of the pilots and stokers on what was a pretty fast paced ride.
The gang next to Freddie Flintstone’s bikeLunch is coming!Blue skies!
Saturday 9th April brought beautiful blue skies, and a dry day, for our long awaited trip to the well-known cycling destination of Millport, the lovely seafront town of the Isle of Great Cumbrae.
The ferry crossing was busy and after a bit of a delay getting into town due to the bus being full (we had to wait for a second run – it was the Easter holidays!!) we arrived at Mapes bike shop where we were hiring tandems for the day.
The Glasgow Tandem Group were joined by the In Tandem Project’s Strathclyde Park group with a fabulous total of 10 tandems and 9 solo supporters and friends joining in the fun. The staff were well organised getting the bikes set up for each pilot and stoker. With a bit of a nippy wind to consider, and after much oohing and scratching of heads about the best direction for any headwinds, we opted to go anti-clockwise round the island and we set off in 2 groups.
We followed the road round the island as it followed the coastline with our pilots being able to describe wonderful scenery, and the fresh salt air sharpened everyone’s appetites for lunch. We stopped at Fintry Bay Patio & Restaurant which had plenty of outdoor seating in a sunny sheltered spot. Some people brought their own picnics and others availed themselves of the coffee and sandwiches not forgetting the massive slabs of cake. Ice- cream too!!! It was great too that everyone was able to meet up at this point and with the roads being so quiet, we decide to return to Millport in one big group – that did turn a few heads.
Some of the group even managed to go up over the hill route, and that’s definitely one for a return visit.
Bikes were dropped off, the bus was caught and the solo riders made a mad dash back to the ferry terminal. A final coffee stop in Largs was made whilst waiting for the train back to Glasgow.
All in all, a great day out, and one we can hopefully repeat later in the season with our own bikes (no excuses then for not going round twice or up over the top!!!)
On a cold February morning 7 intrepid tandems and 4 solo bikes took on a challenge to conquer the Clyde tunnel, a feat never before attempted by most. Setting off from Bellahouston the group headed out east and north over the Clyde at Broomielaw then west along the much improved cycle route towards the transport museum, enjoying the gently riverside paths as a warm up to the main event. Approaching the tunnel, excitement grew. Would everyone make it? Never a doubt, as one by one the tandem pairs set off, to be rewarded by Zoe filming their efforts as they emerged back on the south side of the river, some with more puffing and panting than others! After a brief stop to regroup, everyone set off west via Braehead towards Renfrew and the Clyde/Cart path which follows the river Cart as it empties into the Clyde at Renfrew.
Then, on through quiet streets, a pleasant ride marred only by the need to cross the busy motorway bridge – roll on the planned shared path linking Paisley and Renfrew. After welcome refreshments at the café in Barshaw park, all headed back to Bellahouston.
Welcome, and thanks, to Bob and Liza who joined the group for their first time as solo support riders. And well done all the Clyde Tunnel conquerors!
Jeremy somehow managed a selfie on the way up, impressive!
We went out for our last ride of 2021 on Saturday, with a small but friendly group of people who were prepared to brave the ride despite the miserable forecast!
We had a lovely but short ride around a few parks and stopped for coffee and bacon sandwiches, and managed to get most of our riding done before the rain started!
