riders. This is a good thing – except for when it comes to looking at maps to see where you can go with your mountain bike. Some paths, tracks and trails are marked on OS maps, but by no means all of them; furthermore, where a bridleway marked by long green dashes will indicate a rideable route on a map of, say, the South Downs, you have no way of knowing whether that tempting-looking track marked on an OS map of Ayrshire is rideable or not. That’s where this guidebook comes in.
About the routes in this guide
Along the West Highland Way near Dumgoyne and the Campsie Fells (Route 19)
The routes in this guidebook are day, half-day and shorter routes distributed the length and breadth of central and southern Scotland, and which are divided into area sections in the guide. The route descriptions pay special attention to the nature of the terrain encountered as well as the major climbs and descents involved and any particular hazards to be aware of. Facilities and services en route are also included.
The routes are designed for maximum enjoyment of the mountain biking potential available in the area, hence there is some overlap and repetition in the use of particular stretches of path and track between several of the routes. Roads are avoided wherever practical, although in many cases stretches of road (mostly quiet country lanes) here and there can link up some great off-road trails.
There are also several environmental factors at play in the choice of the routes included in this guidebook. Firstly, where possible, routes that are viable year-round have been prioritised. For example, trails traversing a significant amount of terrain that becomes excessively muddy or boggy after sustained wet weather have been avoided. Of course, mud and wet are all part of the experience, but arguably not to the point where you can’t actually ride. As you may be aware, wet weather comes with the territory in central and southern Scotland, which is why many cross-country tracks and paths encountered out on the hills are metalled or surfaced. That said, the concept of ‘hike-a-bike’ will be familiar to most Scottish cross-country mountain bikers – that is rides where rough, boggy or steep sections require carrying or pushing your bike.
Another environmental factor is the impact of forestry management on trails. Forestry plantations are a bit of a double-edged sword for mountain bikers in the region. On the one hand many forestry roads and tracks can make for great riding and they can also open areas up that might otherwise be inaccessible by bike. Mature forestry plantation also provides great trail-building terrain. The downside is that forestry clearance work often destroys trails and turns the landscape into an un-rideable morass. Where there is a significant likelihood of forestry work impacting trails, these have either been avoided or flagged up in the relevant route introduction boxes.
Wind farms are another factor. The Southern Uplands bristle with them and the building of new arrays continues apace. Where routes in this guidebook may be affected by forestry work or wind farm development, notifications will be made in this guidebook’s ‘updates’ tab (www.cicerone.co.uk/747/updates) as and when they come to our attention. If you are aware of any such developments affecting these routes, please let us know at [email protected]
Snow biking in the Campsie Fells (Route 18)
Centres
Climbing the Wald Path above Durisdeer in the Lowther Hills (Route 1)
The routes in this guidebook are distributed the length and breadth of the region, although there are more routes in those areas with greater concentrations of excellent trails. Centres include: Glasgow, Greenock, Milngavie, Lochwinnoch, Sanquhar, Moniaive, Wanlockhead, Durisdeer, Glentrool, Traquair, Peebles, Kirk Yetholm, Gifford, Longformacus and Balerno.
Getting there and getting around
Essentially, there are two options for getting around the region. Firstly, most of the area is well served by the rail network. There are good rail links between Glasgow and the main towns in the region, and the branch-line stations in-between. Many of the rides in this guide can be started from and finished at nearby railway stations, and there are also options for extending or cutting short rides by means of other railway stations near some of the routes.
Most trains serving the region have dedicated space for two bikes. This is hardly adequate, although bikes can also go in the door areas – which can be a hassle if you have to keep moving your bike to let people off and on. Engineering works sometimes take place at the weekend on the Scottish rail network, and rail replacement buses do not carry bicycles – so check before travelling. Services on certain lines require bicycle spaces to be booked in advance. Timetable information, as well as information on engineering works and on bike restrictions, can be found at www.nationalrail.co.uk, tel 08457 484950.
The second option is to travel by car. There are car parks close by most of the routes in this guidebook (they’re indicated on the route maps), which can make travelling by car easier and more convenient than by train due to time restrictions, engineering works and long-winded rail connections.
Accommodation
There’s a diverse range of accommodation available to suit most budgets throughout southern and central Scotland, from campsites and bunkhouses to B&Bs, hotels and guesthouses. The Visit Scotland website (www.visitscotland.com) is a good place to start as it also lists cycle-friendly accommodation providers.
Book your accommodation well in advance of your trip, particularly during the summer season. Scotland is a very popular small country!
When to go
Big puddles in Mugdock Country Park during the West of Scotland monsoon season (Route 19)
Each season has it’s own particular charms, but paths, tracks and trails are obviously at their driest in summer, when you can fairly zip along ridges and enjoy greater traction on the uphills. The summer months are also busier than other seasons – especially at weekends and during the school summer holidays – which requires greater vigilance for other mountain bikers, walkers, horse riders and other folk out enjoying the landscape.
Spring and autumn are quieter, but the weather and therefore conditions on the ground are obviously less predictable. Winter can be an excellent time for mountain biking in the region, so long as you’re not frightened of getting a bit (or a lot) muddy. However, after prolonged periods of rain the predominantly peaty terrain can be transformed into a highly adhesive quagmire in places, completely clogging up your bike and actually rendering cycling impossible. Furthermore, wet sand and grit and can be remarkably efficient at grinding down your bike’s drive-train. Areas that are particularly prone to mud are indicated in the route descriptions.
Safety
Crossing moorland along the Maich Water, Muirshiel (Route 15)
Most of the time, mountain biking is a perfectly safe activity and far safer than cycling on roads. However, rutted, slippery and loose surfaces are frequently encountered and if you take a tumble at speed, you risk causing yourself considerable damage. Cycling downhill at speed is one of the great
