Glasgow Gravel Routes

Arbroath smokie supper (battered) from The Bellrock in Arbroath > Anstruther fish n chips or any chippy in UK.

That's criminal.. a smokie should be gently grilled with some butter.

I mean you can have a traditional smokie too but for good ol' fish n chips its perfection as well.

I'm going to try that next time I'm back in Angus.

valuable information, if there's any other gems give us a shout!

continuing to update in the hope that it's of some use to someone

Another wee mile or so of gravel up behind Cathkin Braes (Blue); a worthwhile detour. FWIW the tarmac is lovely up round there too. Lots of paths marked in the Former landfill site but looks to be shut off completely

Note the red X: I went up to the farm from Cathkin Road and the (I presume) farmer told me there was no through road. It's clearly not true because the road is on the map and you can access the other side of it, looks muddy.
Not sure what the law is about rights of way on roads in farms but without a fight its a no

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I’ve done yer blue route, never tried the road up to the red X but don’t really remember seeing a junction on the blue route anyway so…

There’s a nice gravel path through to the marshland too. Also Coulter’s wood out towards the museum of rural life it’s worth a look.

its there, less gravel more grass
https://www.google.com/maps/@55.7935222,-4.185923,508m/data=!3m1!1e3

Fair enough.

I kind of think that unless it’s significantly better in some way than a route where there’s no hassle, is it worth it?

Talking of which, the newish path from Langlee rd to Kingswell rd, I did it a week or two ago and noticed a load of new ‘no entry’ and ‘private’ signs at the Langlee rd end and there’s a pile of barbed wire on the gate at the kingswell end too.

There was actually some people walking at the Langlee end and I tried talking to them about it. One of them seemed to be, or be related to, the landowner but she was pretty elderly and didn’t really give me much solid info.

That ones a bummer as i really liked using that path to get off the a77.

I would say those are bollocks but I've never been there. Does any of this apply:
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2003/2/section/6

Is that this road?

If it is that road, looks a bit like there are the beginnings of turbine hardstands on the satellite, maybe they're building a windfarm

possibly this one -although it's not quite the same place - they do move in planning, though

Aye that’s the one.

I guess if they are building turbines or something on it then that counts.

There’sa bit of a quarry at the far end (from your link) but don’t think it’s still in use.

Followed the John Muir Way up from Carbeth and round to the Devil's pulpit today. There is a nice detour where my blue line starts. Loads of forestry work right now and the track is freshly graded. A genuine gravel road in its current condition.

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Nice, thats my "yard" I live in Killearn which is just up the road from Devils Pupit. I've not done the route above but will check it out.

If you're coming from that side be sure and pick up the JMW (blue arrow) because the forestry track ends has been extended a bit and ends in a clear-cut bog over a wee bridge (red)

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Hi, I’ve just moved to Glasgow from London and looking forward to some proper gravel that you don’t have to ride miles to get to! I don’t know many people in the city so if anyone fancies a ride then do give me a shout.

Think I’ll probably try and go out this Saturday (5th August) if anyone wants to join. Open to suggestions about route, but happy to sort that. Will probably be ~70km at quite a chill pace leaving ~9am from near Charing Cross

if you just moved you have plenty of time, why not soak in the UCI stuff?

I've been living in Dundee so not so familiar with your turf, but a route I love is train to Stirling/Bridge of Allan then Aberfoyle/Callander (bakeries)/Killin -> Kenknock Road via Rob Roy way

I'm no-longer there but if you're starting in the city, there's no getting round 20+ k of roads getting out. Most of the 'gravel' is rough aggregate forestry track. Whitelees is your closest area where you can do continuous gravel. There are lots of sporadic patches of gravel but you have to contrive a way to link them up.
Seeing as you're north of the river, it's easier to go north. I could recommend heading to Milngavie and getting on the WHW. follow it to Carbeth and cross to pick up the JMW as shown in the map in my last post.
there are also decent bits of track above Strathblane.

Like I say if you're going for short days starting in Glasgow it's going to be a bit contrived.
3 lochs drive is fantastic btw, but around 100m round trip from Glasgow!

https://www.komoot.com/tour/1020672510?ref=wtd&share_token=aMY8jouCHe8rPjVxJjz7Auwe7ny1duy1QWr9rYHVzNxhaz9n7k

I'm claiming this as the Ultimate Aberfoyle Route when you get round to it...the "Lollipop" at Glenfinglas is...a bit much on a gravel bike, can cut that off for a more realistic day oot.

if you just moved you have plenty of time, why not soak in the UCI stuff?

And Brazin' Handmade Bicycle show on Saturday ;)

Is that up the track from Comer to the top of the gnarly descent to the WHW but instead of doing the gnarly descent you just turn around and come back the same way? That's just sadistic!

Glen Finglas loop isny too bad as part of a smaller route (though I did do it on a mtb) but as part of that day oot it might be a stretch!

Aye thats the Comer Road part, rather than add the drop and the semi hike a bike along the WHW up to Inversnaid. Its a class bit of track out and just as class back, the view deserves its place on the route. I guess if its your first time out there you can put up with the WHW part...

Yeah Glenfinglas is right on the edge of grav/mtb, on a gravel its very steep anti clockwise then rough down the other side, no rest bite, but its a lovely area.

Extremely hard day out.

Its a class bit of track out and just as class back, the view deserves its place on the route. I guess if its your first time out there you can put up with the WHW part...

The WHW ain't too bad with a freewheel right? It's a bit tight for fixed or coaster brake though I know.

Yeah you're right its not too bad, just mind being a bit "fuck this", might add it on....

Get in touch with these guys

https://instagram.com/glas_grav?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

https://www.instagram.com/p/BgPPDNGDBrA/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

This is what that descent to the WHW does to a coaster hub.