UKC

Hi.

I am looking for safe cycle routes around glasgow. Anything between 1-3hrs but the main condition is minimal interaction with open public roads and  start/end in glasgow.

I will have childers from 7y old upwards and would prefer to stick to cycle paths and minimise riding on roads.

What are your recommendations?

Thank you.

Canal paths. Use Komoot if that helps.

You’ve got a couple of options starting from Glasgow.

a) Follow the river Clyde East to the park at Cunningurloop.

b) Follow the river Clyde West towards the transport museum then follow the river Kelvin North through Kelvingrove park and on to the canal at Maryhill locks and then Stockingfield bridge.

Once on the canal tow paths it’s theoretically possible to go all the way East to Edinburgh or all the way West to Balloch but these will obviously be too far to go. Depending on where you are starting from in Glasgow the canal tow path network can be conveniently accessed from Spiers Warf or from the footbridge over the M8 near the big Tiso at the Northside of the city centre.

Edit: Here’s a link to the cycle path network… https://explore.osmaps.com/?lat=55.8572&lon=-4.26322&zoom=10.4932&a...

Out & back along the canal west to Bowling or Balloch

Out & back along the canal east to Auchinstarry or wherever.

Get the train to Paisley Canal and then cycle route to Lochwinnoch for ice cream, cycle track continues to Kilbirnie. Only a short section on roads.

Train to Drumfrochar (avoids a lot of the climb out of Greenock but check if the steep gradient/traffic is suitable), up (very steep) to Papermill Road, Greenock Cut (flat) & direct return (a steep bit) from Ardgowan Fishery Cafe.

And if you go along the canal east or west, there are options to cut the ride short if necessary at various railway stations.

If you are willing to travel a bit and want a fun day out, take your bikes to Loch Katrine, get on the steamer to the far end of the loch, and cycle back. You obviously need to travel to get there, but my niece loved it at that age!

Ice cream at both ends. An athlete such as myself needs a nutrition plan.

Indeed - also a nutrition plan that suits most 7 year olds!

That's me, aged 7 and 633 months.