Road · United Kingdom
Kelvindale to Loch Lomond
A flat 71 km road cycling loop from Kelvindale through Temple, Garscadden and Clydebank, with 212 m of climbing.
At a glance
- Best for
- Flat, steady riding
- Distance
- 71.3 km
- Elevation gain
- 212 m
- Riding time
- 2½–3½ hours
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Mostly paved
- Traffic
- Mostly minor roads
- Food & water
- Longest gap 17 km
- Best months
- Jun to Aug
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start and finish
- Kelvindale
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 212 m
- 71 km
What it was like to ride
Route description
- Kelvindale
- Temple
- Garscadden
- Clydebank
- Park Mains
- Bowling
- Brucehill
- Alexandria
- Gateside
- Kelvindale
The route starts near Kelvindale and progresses through several suburbs including Jordanhill, Anniesland, and Clydebank before reaching Balloch at 29 km. The surface is mostly paved (81%) with a small section of gravel or unpaved (5%) and some unmapped terrain. Roads include cycle paths (26 km), minor roads (14 km), and main roads (8 km) with 8.5 km on main roads lacking cycle lanes and 5 km on roads posted at 80 km/h or more.
The climb begins shortly after Balloch from km 28.5 to 31.1, gaining 66 m over 2.6 km at an average gradient of 2.6%, peaking at 82 m above sea level. The terrain is predominantly flat (85%) with short steep sections up to 4% gradient near km 31. The route proceeds past Gartocharn and Drymen, joining the eastern return toward Bearsden, Summerston and finishing in West End.
Facilities along the route include cafes such as Cafe 81 at 6.4 km, Dandi at 20.2 km, and Skoosh at 46.6 km. There are convenience stores like Day-Today at 3.1 km and supermarkets including Asda at 19.2 km and Co-op Food at 28.9 km. Water taps are available at 13.4 km and 28.6 km. Bailout points include stations at Kelvindale (0.5 km), Clydebank (7.6 km), Dumbarton Central (19.8 km), Balloch (28.4 km), and Hillfoot (65.5 km). There is a 17.4 km stretch without café, shop or water between 46.8 km and 64.2 km.
Why ride this route?
- The flattest of the 4 rides from Glasgow.
Highlights
- Climb past Balloch with 66 m gain
- Forth and Clyde Canal Towpath for 12 km
- Near Hill of Dun mountain at 14 km
- Route around Loch Lomond area
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 28.5 km | 2.6 km · 66 m · 2.6 % · max 4.3 % | 82 m |
Traffic, surface and gradient
Mostly minor roads and streets on the map; 8.5 km is on main roads without a cycle lane.
- Roads
- 37% cycle path · 20% minor road · 12% main road · 9% quiet street · 10% other roads and tracks · 12% unmapped
- Main roads
- 8.5 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 5 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Cycle paths
- 26.4 km on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane
- Main roads used
- Forth and Clyde Canal Towpath (12 km), A811 (3 km), C9 (3 km)
- Surface
- Predominantly paved: 81% is mapped as paved, 5% as unpaved or gravel and 15% has no surface data.
- Gradient
- 8% climbing · 6% descending · 85% flat
Food, water and services
The longest stretch without a café, shop or water is 17 km, from km 47 to 64. Along the route: 123 cafés and restaurants, 58 shops, 3 water points, 10 petrol stations, 15 public toilets and 9 bike shops.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 1.2 kmLock 27 · pub · 30 m off route
- 2.7 kmToilets · 90 m off route
- 6.4 kmCafe 81 · café · 40 m off route
- 9.3 kmHenry's · petrol station · 60 m off route
- 13.5 kmPaton's Place · café · on the route
- 16 kmToilets · 40 m off route
- 19.7 kmMurco · petrol station · 40 m off route
- 20.1 kmDumbarton Pharmacy · pharmacy · 120 m off route
- 20.2 kmToilets · 120 m off route
- 28.6 kmTop Up Tap · drinking water · 80 m off route
- 28.8 kmWell Pharmacy · pharmacy · 60 m off route
- 28.9 kmToilets · 30 m off route
- 46.6 kmSkoosh · café · on the route
- 46.7 kmToilets · 60 m off route
- 46.8 kmTop Up Tap · drinking water · 50 m off route
- 65.4 kmLiggy's Cake Company · bakery · 30 m off route
- 66 kmReach Pharmacy · pharmacy · 50 m off route
- 66.8 kmBP · petrol station · on the route
Need to bail out?
- 0.5 km — Kelvindale (station), 60 m off route
- 7.6 km — Clydebank (station), 240 m off route
- 19.8 km — Dumbarton Central (station), on the route
- 28.4 km — Balloch (station), 100 m off route
- 65.5 km — Hillfoot (station), 40 m off route
Worth a stop
- 7.8 km — ORP Piorun Memorial (monument)
- 12.6 km — Antonine Wall (ruins)
- 19.8 km — College Bow, arch (monument)
- 45.2 km — Catter Law, Motte (archaeological site)
- 65.5 km — Antonine Wall (ruins)
Start and access
At the start and finish
- Trains and ferries
- Kelvindale (570 m)
- Food and coffee
- Cleveden Deli (120 m), spice of india (110 m), wok cusine (120 m)
- Shops
- Spar (120 m)
Know before you go
- 17.4 km longest stretch without cafe, shop or water from 46.8 km to 64.2 km
- 8.5 km on main roads without a cycle lane
- 5 km on roads posted 80 km/h or more
- 5% gravel or unpaved surface
