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As it's not the victim posting this I'll just say:

Don't store your bikes in the close. It's not just a bad idea in terms of security, it's really selfish behaviour anyway.

Was @wiresmith with us too @cozey

That's awesome, thanks! I'll be giving appropriate credit so anyone who wants named is free to message me, otherwise I'll just be pointing out they're not all much routes and are just being collected together. If you're willing to provide a short write up, literslly just "Suitable for 25mm and above tyres, likely requires 30+mm gravel tyres, has been ridden fixed/SS" that'd be really helpful too. Obviously everyone's ability is different, so just aiming to provide a guide at the moment.

Pmccee, there's a small group of us on the Southside with "Gravel-capable" fixed gear/single-speed bike who are aiming to get out and do more gravel/off-road stuff. Feel free to let us know when you're around if you want to get out in a group. Same for you Cozey if you're looking to get out with others.

Now I've got a fixed gravel bike I'm thinking of setting up a site for gravel routes that can feasibly be ridden in a day, from Glasgow, without the need to drive (trains acceptable). Think Muirsheil, Whitelee, Cowal, Glentaggart, Mugdock, WHW, John Muir way, Kilpatrick Hills etc. Ideally I'm looking for a range of routes and some details so people can decide if it's suitable. Things like if a rider could get away with slick tyres or not, likelihood of mud, really steep climbs or difficult descents, distance etc. Not just for fixed gears. Essentially, they need to be routes that have been ridden so people know they can get through and won't be surprised by a 5 mile hike-a-bike across a Munro.

I'll probably start it as a RideWithGPS user and public routes and then decide if it's worth developing into something with a bit more of its own site, social media etc.

I have a couple of routes to get it started but does anyone have anything they'd be willing to share? I'm not on Strava so other methods preferable, but I'll redraw Strava routes if needed. Doesn't need to be a loop, as long as the start is accessible by train.

What Cozey says, but best to just get out and give it a go. Glasgow Wheelers leave at 9:30am on Sunday from outside the Kelvinhall (the actual hall, not the underground) and the pace is very sociable.

Over winter I generally prefer smaller group riding, so I'll get some stuck up on here as and when. Not sure if I'm out with the Wheelers this weekend but will let you know if I am.

The kilcreggan run isn't too bad, same with Glen Fruin. That early bit of the 82, while still not great, is wide enough. I wouldn't avoid those runs because of it. It's the Crianlarich down to Tarbert part I really don't like (never ridden up that section, but would be even worse).

It takes me about 35 minutes from Shawlands to get to the Kilbowie Roundabout, so not too bad but it does add an hour onto the ride time.

Apologise for the long post in advance...

All the clubs I ride with are different in terms of their club runs. Depending on what kind of ride I want, and what day I can get out, I'll choose who I want to ride with:

Glasgow Green: Sunday rides at 8:30am. Probably the most "club" like bunch. They always announce the routes on the Friday beforehand, have an m-check before they set off, have multiple stops and, usually, a coffee stop at a big enough place for everyone (currently suspended). They ride in several pace groups from 14-16mph no drop, up to 20+mph race pace. Routes are rotated but essentially they have about 4-6 that they ride in one direction or the other. They're a big club so most riding is on main roads. All groups ride in a rotation in the summer and some switch to spells in the winter. Every group does the same route so you can step up/step down if you want as there are a couple of stops in the rides. Usually about 50 miles at most in length. On a nice day they can easily get 30+ riders out in different bunches and 40+ isn't unheard of. If I don't want to think about what to do and don't want to ride all day I head out with GGCC. They have no rules on mudguards in winter... Also, currently rides are only open to club members. With so many people it's the only way they can handle the current restrictions.

Lomond Roads: Ride on Saturday. Old school club. Most riders know each other very well and it feels like what you would expect a club run to be I think. Usually run 2 groups, one 16mph on a shorter route and one 18mph on a longer route. Rides are on their website and can vary from 60-100+ miles. They ride spells and they're a great bunch to ride with you want to get to know the roads out west. Rides can obviously be quite long, especially if there are mechanicals, but they have some great routes. Fair warning they use the A82 and the A8 on some rides which I'm really not a big fan of, but it's never felt unsafe. If I'm up for a bigger ride or I have to ride on Saturday I ride with them.

Glasgow Wheelers: Ride on Sunday. Smaller membership but like Lomond Roads. Aim is to run one shorter, slower group and one longer, but numbers usually mean it's a single group and people extend at a point if they want to. Rides announced on Friday and club captain decides the route. Really friendly bunch and a later depart time of 9:30am which may or may not work for you. I'd prefer a 9am depart and there is a tendency to hang about a bit if people have stopped at Tinderbox for coffee. In the summer they run some really long, all day rides which are great.

The other option is you could head out with those of us who do longer rides on here? I rotate between club riding and doing my own thing with mates, either geared or fixed, and you'd be welcome to come along. Pace can vary a bit, from an easy 16mph spin in the sun to 18+mph hilly leg shredding and it usually depends on who's out, but we're honest about pace so won't say it's going to be easy then smash it up every hill.

Hahaha. There was a 5 minute conversation about how nice the bike was after that too!

Spotted @Polka_Dot on his lovely road bike the other week, cruising round Queen Mary Ave/Queen's Park ave, while I was pushing the pram around.

What Wiresmith said for track. A few GGCC folk now race for Torvelo but they'll still hang out together. Road racing is turning into a team dominated discipline these days, but Nightingales and the Ivy seem well represented. Of the three I'm a member of, the Wheelers have some very good TTers and track riders, Lomond Roads have some good TTers and Glasgow Green have a mix or TTers, track racers and road racers (although they've lost a lot of racers to Torvelo). You don't have to be a club member to race though.

I know every time I try it I end up hurting myself.

Yeah, 3. Lomond Roads, Glasgow Wheelers and Glasgow Green. All are a bit different, are you looking to join a club? what kind of riding are you after?

What kind of racing? Bunch or TT?

I know it, although not sure which one it is.

New tag: Easy one. Go in, say hi and if you can donate an old bike part.

Old tag: secret skate park, Sawmillfield St.

Damn! I thought that was a clever one.

New tag: the same, but not anymore.

Old tag: Synagogue, Niddrie Road.

I commute pretty much past it every day, just need to think of the next one...

No clue? I know where it is though...

Freewheel? Might as well use gears... :D

New tag, Brutal commuter stop:

Old tag, Gorbals boys Statues, Queen Elizabeth Gardens:

It's a good one to go up, I didn't get any hassle.