Jo had mentioned that they had done a loop from Drymen to Cove and back on the bikes. I’d heard of Cove but couldn’t place it. As it transpires there are at least 3 “Cove’s” in Scotland but the one that Jo was referring to is in Argyll and Bute, on the South-West of the Rosneath Peninsula. I’m not sure if I have been there or not – if I have it was probably as a child and I’ve certainly not been by bike. So a plan was brewing – Jo’s route was about 73 miles – from Stirling it was going to be more like 100+ and I wasn’t sure if I was ready for that – but I do like a challenge and it also involved a wee ferry crossing – taking a ferry anywhere always makes it a bit more of an adventure.
The weather last Saturday looked promising so I had clothes looked out and pannier ready for an early start, which, as per usual, didn’t start as early as planned. I headed to Carron Valley and over to Kilsyth via the Tac Ma Doon Road – it is much more challenging to cycle up the the Tak Ma Doon Road but I’m not ready for that yet – for someone who is a nervous descender I’m not sure I was ready to go down it either but made it safe and well, although I think my brakes may have been protesting.
Berty B survived coming down the Tac Ma Doon Road
From Kilsyth I picked up the Forth and Clyde Canal tow path and headed towards Glasgow – I love the canal tow path and it’s great that you can get to Glasgow and see very few cars – but if you want to cover distance go early in the morning though – Sunday afternoons, especially, the path can be busy. Along the way I spotted herons, swans, tufted ducks and other bird life.
Near Maryhill the canal splits – one way takes you onto the Glasgow Spur, the other to Bowling. I’d not done this section for quite some time and couldn’t remember which way to go – unfortunately the sign has been vandalised so this didn’t help. A friendly gentleman wasn’t much help either and was somewhat surprised that I wanted to cycle to Bowling when I asked which way I should go – “Bowling’s an awfy long way hen – at least 9 miles hen – you’ll no make that today hen”.
Berty B meets Bankies Bike, Clydebank
I had a 50/50 chance of getting it right and I did, and carried on to Old Kilpatrick, where you can do a nice wee loop up and through “The Glen” and onto the Erskine Bridge – the bridge is busy and noisy but both pedestrians and bicycles are well protected from the cars and lorries zooming past.
The Forth and Clyde Canal and the River Clyde, Taken from the Erskine Bridge
From the other side of the Erskine Bridge I carried on to Bishopton and Langbank – navigation wasn’t difficult but I was in new territory so I kept stopping to check my map. At Langbank I met the A8 which would have taken me to towards Gourock where I planned to get the Kilcreggan Ferry – however the A8 was too busy for my liking – now having had a closer look at the map I should have climbed up and out of Bishopton and picked up the Old Greenock Road but I’ll know that for next time. A combination of the A8 putting me off and I wasn’t making as much distance as I would have liked, I agreed with myself that I had bitten off a wee bit more than I could chew and decided to head back to and over the Erskine Bridge.
From the bridge I looped back down through The Glen, back on to the canal tow path and continued to its end at Bowling (“you’ll no make that today hen”).
From Bowling I followed the Sustrans Route No 7 to just outside Drymen – the section from Balloch to almost Drymen is especially nice. From here I took the quickest route back to Stirling – there are better and quieter alternatives but my legs opted to go for the most direct one. Jo saw me as I was approaching Stirling – she was in a car going the opposite way – she tells me “I was looking strong” – Jo obviously saw me when I was moving and not when I’d stopped for my 2nd or 3rd breather and re-fuel on that stretch of the road!
Despite not making it to the Kilcreggan Ferry, far less Cove or the rest of the loop that I had planned, a great day out never the less and I will be back! 95 miles all in and incredibly lucky with the weather – just one brief vicious attack of stinging hailstones.
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