Friday 29 July 2011

Route 2: Fankerton Circuit

Hey again everyone, well here I am again for the second instalment of my blog.  With exam mayhem taking up the last month I've not found myself having much spare time to get out to cycle, but now that summer's here, I took this evening to explore a nice route to the west of my hometown, Denny.


Route 2:  Fankerton Circuit
Distance:  6.8 miles
Time:  1 hour
Difficulty:  50% (This circuit is largely uphill until the last mile)

The start of the route, uphill from the beginning
Looking over fields, the village of Stoneywood can be seen to the left,
and the Ochil Hills in the background
In this picture, the Glasgow suburb of Cumbernauld can be seen in the distance

Everybody loves sheep, right?

The summit to the right is Myot hill, to the left of it is Falkirk, then Grangemouth

Beginning of the quiet main road back to Denny (and Fankerton)

Just about in Fankerton, to the immediate left is an entrance to the Carron Valley

From rural to urban, the M80 motorway can be seen here, crossing on the bridge

Saturday 16 April 2011

Route 1: St Andrews to Leuchars

Hey all, it's been been a couple of weeks since I started my blog and this is only my first post!  Unfortunately my bike has been out of action until yesterday, when I took a trip to the little town of Leuchars, approximately five miles south of the city of Dundee, Scotland.  A round trip from my area, St Andrews, is about 13 miles.


Route 1:  St Andrews to Leuchars
Distance:  13.2 miles
Time:  1.5 hours
Difficulty:  20% (St Andrews to Leuchars is steadily uphill, but nothing unattainable by an inexperienced cyclist)

With the exception of crossing a few roads and a small part of the town of Leuchars, the route follows a cycle path, so for cyclists of all levels is a safe route (which also won't irritate motorists).

The start of the cycle path at St Andrews
Approaching Leuchars, to the right is the RAF air base
Leuchars town centre, where the smell of Chinese takewaway fills the air
Part of the cycle path that runs through woodland behind houses in Guardbridge




Part of the cycle path right next to the A91 road from Guardbridge to St Andrews

Distance marker on cycle path heading towards St Andrews
Back in St Andrews, the Old Course Hotel can be seen to the left

Tuesday 29 March 2011

Welcome to a Cycle Diary

Ever wanted to get up and go, forget about everything, if only for an afternoon?  Then get up and cycle!
In this blog I'll document some previously undocumented but great routes around Scotland, so you too can enjoy the freedoms just a bike and a backpack bring.