Glasgow to Dunbar 2024

Graeme came to ours, and left his car, we are fortunate to have plenty of off street parking available. Karen drove and we then went and collected Trevor.
No problems on the drive through and arrived at Durham station for bang on 7am.
Colin N was already there, Peter Connor and Bob turned up few minutes later.
Conner had made it back from Dublin in time.

They had been slightly delayed as Peter had almost forgotten to collect Bob.
They had driven past his road end, fortunately Conner had asked if Bob had moved house as he used to live down that road.
Peter had to do a quick about turn and collected Bob.

The train arrived on time at Durham. It was a nice journey to Edinburgh and quite scenic for a lot of the way.
We had to disembark at Edinburgh for the connection to Glasgow, the sun was shining and the forecast was good for the week, so far so good.

Arriving at Edinburgh I had to admit I was unsure of where to get our connecting train for the onward journey to Glasgow, I hoped there would be someone to ask.
Luckily Connor was used to travelling by train and soon had it sorted, so we arrived at the correct platform well before the connection was due.
We checked in with Glen, Ian and Dave who were going up in the van, all OK having a nice ride up and on schedule.
So after our last minute hiccups it looks like it's all starting to fall into place with my planning.

We left the connecting train at Glasgow and found our way out of the station and into the City centre.
A quick check of a city centre map to get our bearings and we set off to walk through Glasgow taking in part of the famous Sauchiehall St
then on to the van meeting point, on the industrial estate I had found just the other side of the M8.
It had been a good decision to not have the van drive into the city as there was roadwork's and diversions everywhere.

After a short while we came to the meeting point and there was the van and the other three lads unloading the bikes.
Great to see the plans all coming together.

The van has arrived nice one Ian
All lined up ready for the off	The way ahead all nicely signed

From where the van was parked it was a short sharp climb up to the Forth & Clyde canal ,which was well signed,
and we follow the canal all the way to Falkirk so a nice good start to the ride.
A woman walking her dog decided to stop and have a chat I suppose 9 blokes cycling was a bit unusual.

As is our usual ritual we all line up at the start for a Photo
Nice picturesque spot but lots of graffiti on all the walls at the other side of the cycle path

We were only a mile into the ride and still on the outskirts of Glasgow, there was a woman who was walking a dog off lead, it decided to attack me'
I really don't know why dogs have to attack me when I'm cycling, but it was barking and jumping around my wheels so you have to stop .
don't want to risk running the dog over

After the dog incident we start to leave the outskirts of Glasgow behind and it becomes more rural.
We even see Herons wading in the canal fishing.

Then after 2.5 miles we come to the new artwork we wanted to see.
Bella the Beithir

Dave poses for the start of the artwork

The climb to Bella the Beithir

Bella the Beithir side view

Bella the Beithir face on

It was a gradual uphill to see the viewing platform at the top of the artwork, but we all wanted to see it so up the climb we go.

There were impressive views back towards Glasgow even though we had not come far it felt like an achievement

At the top of the viewing platform there was a couple of other cyclists, who were fairly loca so the offered to take our pics as a full group

Top of the artwork Glasgow East in background

Top of the artwork Glasgow West in background

The stop took longer than I had planned but it was a nice day and very impressive artwork

Trevor finds that he is missing his wallet, Big panic, should we retrace our steps to look for it?
We decide to ring Ian and ask if he will check the back of the van in case it fell out when Trevor was getting changed.

Fortunately Ian is at a point where he can pull over to check.
Good news its there, panic over

The rest of the ride to the Wetherspoons pub The Kirky Puffer at Kirkintilloch is uneventful,
just nice flat easy riding beside the canal enjoying the sunshine and the wildlife

Lunch stop right beside the canal

Its a Wetherspoons. They even have Haggis pizza on the menu

Its a nice day the sun is shining but the beer garden is closed, so we have to sit inside.

After lunch we set off again towards Falkirk, again flat riding and no problems
Just watching the wildlife, there are lots of herons standing in the water and seem totally unfazed by a collection of passing cyclists.

We arrive at Twechar Bridge, time for a break, and a map check even though we can hardly go wrong old habits die hard.

There is even a cycle repair station provided, we all hope we are not going to have any problems with our bikes.

Info signs	Bit of local information
Cycle tool station	Even has parallel bars to rest bike on when repairing, very thoughtful

We just cant help do a map check

Again its uneventful and lovely riding, warm sunshine, no wind, good surface and flat. Cycling paradise

Peter stops for a quick pose, just look at the way ahead.

Ice cream time

Rock climbers, look as if they are standing on a street lamp in this photo

We carry on towards Falkirk and the wheel, we all did a double take at this works sign, don't know who designed it but it needs a rethink

Next stop is the Falkirk wheel, what a feat of engineering this is.
We were even lucky enough to see it working and moving boats between the two levels.

The wheel on the other side of the canal	The signs pointing over the canal to the wheel and on to the Kelpies
Photos of the wheel from lots of angles	The wheel starting to turn
Information sign	Further information on the history of the canal
What a magnificent sight.

Then we carry on beside the canal along towards The Kelpies,
We found that the route was blocked beside the canal and we had to go up and round, it was a push up some steps, so much for a flat ride.

There is some interesting artwork along the canal

But we soon dropped back down to the canal side and carried on to the Kelpies
They are just a fantastic sight and well worth a visit.

After we had admired the Kelpies it was a simple route through the kelpies park, then an industrial estate and drop us out at the hotel, well that was the plan.
Unfortunately there was a lot of road works going on and the route was closed, we had no option but to
cycle down busy road that was narrowed with roadwork's, not a pleasant experience.
Soon however we reached the industrial estate crossed the road then got back on our planned traffic free route.
Made it to the Premier Inn hotel safely and without further incident, Ian was waiting for us with the van.
So all the bikes place in the back of the van and a quick shower and change of clothes.

Dave had lost his photo of our last years ride so we posed for one in last years t shirt and this years tops.

We all met in reception, except Conner who had some work to complete for his University degree,
he had just grabbed some fish and chips from a nearby take away and was back in his room.
The rest of us had a walk to the Chinese Buffet only 5 minutes away, it was great sensibly priced nice premises and lovely food.
We all came away stuffed full and agreed Hotel had done us a favour as the food quality and choice was much better than we would have got at the hotel.

What a great days cycling perfect conditions, interesting things to see and not to taxing.