Sunday 23 May 2021

Distinguished Gentleman's Ride - Glasgow - 2021

 Rode into Glasgow today for the Distinguished Gentleman's Ride. It was a bit wet so I had to wear waterproofs on the way there, but it dried enough that I could take my overtrousers off. Once again, due to the Covid-19 restrictions this was a 'solo ride', with each participant riding by themselves and not in an organised group. I decided to ride around some landmark buildings in Glasgow and take some photos.

First stop was Glasgow Cathedral.



Next was George Square.



Coming away from George Square a Police van stopped next to me at a set of traffic lights and an officer looked at me in my dapper riding costume, smiled and gave me a 'thumbs up'! Next stop was  Riverside Museum


I had intended visiting Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum but crossed the river before I remembered! I rode on to one of my favourite Art Deco buildings, Luma Tower


I called in at Triumph Glasgow, finishing point of previous Rides, but it was closed and there was no-one there. (I had though some other riders might have been there). The rain started getting a bit heavy, so I headed home.

I was a bit disappointed that I didn't see anyone else taking part in the event, but that was inevitable due to us all riding separately. Hopefully next year's event will be a group ride once again.

The purpose of the Ride is to raise funds for cancer and mental health charities, and you can still donate on my page.




Monday 17 May 2021

A ride on the cyclepath

 Sorry for being a bit quiet but I haven't been anywhere interesting on my bike due to the, soon to be relaxed, Covid-19 restrictions.

About a week ago I went for a ride along my local cyclepath from Kilbarchan to Lochwinnoch. This is part of the Sustrans Route 7 and is built on the trackbed of the Dalry and North Johnstone Railway more commonly know as the 'Kilbarchan Loop', which closed in 1966.

It was a nice sunny day, so I decided to shoot some video, the first time I'd videoed from a bicycle. The camera was mounted on a chest strap with an external microphone clipped to a strap on my helmet. It was really just an experiment to see what it would be like.


Found a photo of the old Kilbarchan Station. I don't know when the photo was taken, but the line was only 2 tracks wide at the time, it was later widened to 4 tracks. Next to the station was a gasworks, so trains would stop on one of the 'extra' tracks to unload coal.

The 'tower' I pass is Kenmuir Hill Temple, more details here. Note the very Scottish euphemism ' made his money in the West Indies ' - he was a slave owner. When I was at school we were taught that no Scots were involved or profited from slavery, blatantly untrue, and there is still a degree of denial on the subject. I've walked up to the 'temple' a number of times, there is a very good view from it.





These photos were taken back in November and it was a bit misty

The outdoor centre at is within the Castle Semple Country park which has a lot of woodland walks.

It was a very nice day out but it reminded me of how unfit I am!