http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: New cycle route from Strathyre to Kingshouse unveiled en Mon, 18 May 2026 10:49:12 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12010#post-139180 Thu, 09 Jan 2014 18:42:04 +0000 crowriver 139180@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>Grrrrr! Damned government providing money for cycle routes that people might use, how very dare they!</em></p> <p>Eh?</p> <p>It's supposed to be a national cycle route, not a CX challenge course. Aye, some folk will find the steep gravelly switchbacks and whin dust trails fun, many will say 'no thanks' (or words to that effect) and take the road... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12010#post-139164 Thu, 09 Jan 2014 16:58:02 +0000 Wilmington's Cow 139164@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The extra weight will have improved your traction at least.... :P </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12010#post-139150 Thu, 09 Jan 2014 16:15:34 +0000 kaputnik 139150@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@Wilmington's Cow - marginally less fun with 30kg of junk on the bike on a blazing hot day with no breeze! But it could have been raining :) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12010#post-139146 Thu, 09 Jan 2014 15:47:53 +0000 Wilmington's Cow 139146@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>(I quite enjoyed the switchbacks when I rode them) ;) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12010#post-139145 Thu, 09 Jan 2014 15:46:45 +0000 Wilmington's Cow 139145@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Grrrrr! Damned government providing money for cycle routes that people might use, how very dare they! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12010#post-139140 Thu, 09 Jan 2014 15:06:20 +0000 crowriver 139140@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Aye, but as kaputnik notes above, there are a few other 'missing' or poor links on that route that could do with sorted too before the cycle path becomes a viable route for anyone except very unhurried riders. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12010#post-139139 Thu, 09 Jan 2014 15:03:56 +0000 slowcoach 139139@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>So it might have been better to say that TS is filling in a missing link in the long-distance route, which also happens to provide a safe route between the 2 small communities they mentioned? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12010#post-139138 Thu, 09 Jan 2014 15:03:41 +0000 crowriver 139138@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Having cycled up the A84 to Lochearnhead, I'd say anything that improves the cycle path alternative is to be welcomed. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12010#post-139134 Thu, 09 Jan 2014 14:53:36 +0000 fimm 139134@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>It is Sustrans Route 7 (I thought it was a Sustrans route).</p> <p>I don't wish to cycle my road bike on a non-tarmac surface. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12010#post-139129 Thu, 09 Jan 2014 14:22:31 +0000 shuggiet 139129@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>It's in my top 5 Scottish cycle routes (has there been a thread for this?). Gorgeous scenery at multiple places like by the falls in Callendar, history with Rob Roy's grave in Balquidder, and the joy of doing the viaduct.</p> <p>It's great that this route is being upgraded, but it's an easy choice for the govt, and as mentioned by WC, removes no space from motorists ,and arguably will give them more as the number of cyclists going via Balquidder is reduced. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12010#post-139123 Thu, 09 Jan 2014 13:57:13 +0000 kaputnik 139123@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The Callendar - Killin route is one of the most beautiful I've done (doing the Balquidder detour, which is fine and lovely too if you're not in too much of a hurry)</p> <p>There were some bits at the end of Loch Lubnaig, before Strathyre, which were really more MTB territory, and I had to get off and push the touring bike up some steep gravelly switchbacks as you left the old railway alignment and climbed into the forest for a bit.</p> <p>Likewise approach to Killin at top of Glen Ogle is forestry tracks, but I managed to cycle it on the tourer and even overtake some MTBists into the bargain.</p> <p>Path into Killin along the old railway is muddy whindust but was OK in summer.</p> <p>Climb out of Lochearnhead back up to the railway is something else! Endless switchbacks on a very steep but mercifully tarmacced surface.</p> <p>The moral of this route is that wherever it leaves the old railway trackbed, it gets compromised. Still, the cycle up Glenogle is worth it all, you'd be mad to go on the road as you're missing the spectacular views and viaducts. Plus it's a horrible busy road. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12010#post-139119 Thu, 09 Jan 2014 13:45:58 +0000 EddieD 139119@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>It is indeed hardpack, but I managed it well enough on 23s - the only bit I had problems with was the initial bit from Kilmahog to Loch Lubnaig. </p> <p>It's certainly one of the most beautiful routes - and you can see how it would have matched the WHL for beauty when the rail was there.</p> <p>Sadly, the mobile cafe at Glen Ogle seems to have gone - getting a cuppa and a bite there was always a high point of the route.</p> <p><a href="http://goo.gl/maps/v59V4" rel="nofollow">http://goo.gl/maps/v59V4</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12010#post-139116 Thu, 09 Jan 2014 13:41:20 +0000 fimm 139116@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>There is a bike route up the hill from Lochearnhead into Glen Ogle using the old railway line. I belive it is hard packed rather than tarmac, though, so not something I would use. I think there's something going south of Strathyre as well. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12010#post-139115 Thu, 09 Jan 2014 13:40:56 +0000 cb 139115@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"Does it link up with other quality bike routes?"</p> <p>To the north all the way to Killin off road; to the south all the way to Callander off road. So you'll now be able to go Callander to Killin on a traffic free route.</p> <p>This bit was always the missing link. There was a quiet road option via Balquidder, but it was a bit of a detour. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12010#post-139108 Thu, 09 Jan 2014 13:26:30 +0000 twq 139108@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>How many people is this short path benefiting? Does it link up with other quality bike routes? Looks lovely though! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12010#post-139101 Thu, 09 Jan 2014 12:36:19 +0000 cb 139101@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I would guess a new bridge would be relatively expensive compared to the cost of resurfacing the old railway alignment (I assume that's what the route will mainly consist of), so maybe not that much of a saving?</p> <p>The valley floor here is not known as Loch Occasional for nothing so any bridge / approach paths would probably need to be reasonably substantial.</p> <p>Also the road makes you go up a bit of a hill. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12010#post-139087 Thu, 09 Jan 2014 11:51:40 +0000 EddieD 139087@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The road from Strathyre to Balquhidder is very quiet, so all you need to do is put a bridge in at Stronestanley, and then a short section of pathway to Kingshouse. Then the money could be spent where it's really needed. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12010#post-139086 Thu, 09 Jan 2014 11:51:27 +0000 Wilmington's Cow 139086@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Except that announced route (which should be a lovely route) takes no space away from motorised traffic... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12010#post-139085 Thu, 09 Jan 2014 11:46:00 +0000 slowcoach 139085@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><a href="http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/News/Minister-announces-funding-for-a-new-cycle-path-in-the-Trossachs">Minister announces funding for a new cycle path in the Trossachs</a><br /> "Transport Minister Keith Brown said:</p> <p>“I am pleased to announce funding for this new cycle path which will provide a traffic free route between the communities of Strathyre and Kingshouse. It will allow residents the opportunity to walk and cycle as part of their everyday journeys and provide access to existing routes in the surrounding areas.</p> <p>“The Scottish Government is committed to investing in cycling infrastructure, training and road safety projects through active partnerships with charities such as Sustrans to make Scotland a more active and healthy nation and increase the numbers of people choosing to cycle each day."</p> <p>Since the Scottish Government can justify spending on this route, surely it can justify other cycle routes even more? </p>