Cycling in Glasgow

Cycling guide to Glasgow

Glasgow's routes split cleanly in two directions. North-west, a 71.3 km loop runs out through the West End, Maryhill and Clydebank, along past Old Kilpatrick and Bowling to Dumbarton, then up through Renton and Alexandria to Balloch, Gartocharn and Drymen before returning via Buchanan Smithy, Milngavie and Bearsden. With 242 m of climbing and a high point of just 83 m, it is the least demanding option from the city. South of the Clyde the ground rises. A 42.6 km loop from Giffnock climbs through Newton Mearns, Waterfoot and Eaglesham to Fenwick and Loganswell, gathering 441 m. The longest ride, 106.5 km with 733 m of climbing, follows the same moorland exit before dropping to Kilmarnock, Crosshouse and Dreghorn, reaching the coast at Barassie, Troon, Monkton and Prestwick, then turning inland through Tarbolton and Galston to return over Eaglesham and Clarkston.

Best time to ride

Rides here are recorded in May and August, with temperatures of 21°C to 23°C.

Terrain

The Loch Lomond loop is essentially flat, topping out at 83 m, while the southern routes cross moorland reaching 299 m and 309 m. Climbs are steady rather than steep: the 3.6 km rise beginning at 8.3 km of the Giffnock loop averages 3.4% with a maximum of 6.8% to 274 m, and the Prestwick route's main climb at 75.8 km runs 2.1 km at 3.7%, peaking at 6.4%.