Peoples, someone I know wants to organise a sponsored cycle, for a worthy cause, from bowling, to grangemouth, via the F+C canal. Fairly old hat , but I am not too keen.Possibly 13, /17 year olds, many with with very varied cycling ability, through glasgow........mmm! How good/bad is this route, ? I tried to use the search facility to find previous posts, but I am stupid so cant find them !I suspect the person in question( the organiser ) is well meaning but perhaps not thought this out ? Any views on this gratefully appreciated !
Scott
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Infrastructure
sponsored cycling !
(6 posts)-
Posted 10 years ago #
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@splitshift - Bowling to Falkirk is all off-road canal path, Falkirk to Grangemouth is a local route that Sustrans think is offroad (could be shared use pavement).
I've done the canal bit, and there wouldn't be any traffic hazards, just the hazard of open water nearby...
The route isn't all surfaced, but I managed find on my hybrid. Others, more sympathetic to their machines might prefer alternative routes as the path dust is rather abrasive on brake pads, wheels and drive components.
Without checking the Grangemouth stretch in detail, it's probably fine.
Robert
Posted 10 years ago # -
Hmm - the canal is about 35 miles long. The surface is pretty mixed, if it has been raining heavily then sections could be quite muddy. My main concern would be the possibility of someone ending up in the canal, unlikely but still a possibility. Also, the canal is pretty wearing to cycle along - while there are no uphill sections (excepting a few locks) there are also no downhill sections and the surface is rough enough to mean you can't freewheel for anything more than a few seconds. Could be a bit of a slog for anyone not used to being on a bike.
Posted 10 years ago # -
I would be more concerned about the difficulties of large groups on the canal - can be difficult re passing. getting back to anyone in difficulties etc
Posted 10 years ago # -
35 miles could take forever. My experience of these things is that 90% of the group can maintain a decent enough pace but it only takes one slow rider (and there will be one) to slow the whole group down.
I've done a sponsored canal ride from Edinburgh outskirts to Linlithgow with 10 to 15 year olds and that worked ok. Nice weather and plenty of parents helping. It's not so far and we had plenty of time.
I've also taken a similar aged group (about 12 riders) into Edinburgh from Ratho. That was a bit of a nightmare once we got into the busy bits as walkers got understandably pi**ed off at having to jump out of the way of a long spread out group. I was the back marker so took most of the abuse.
It's easy to think that your group won't get spread out and will listen to you when you tell them to be courteous and slow down etc, but in reality...
I've also done various cycling/kayaking combined activities where the cyclists and kayakers swap over half way through. Best not to give the kayakers a destination/deadline. I remember on one occasion getting a slow paddler out the water and running down the towpath with the kayak to catch the others up!
Posted 10 years ago # -
thanks , yes all pretty much my own thougts, not all sure that 35 mules for kids, on bmx etc will be a good idea ! will consider very carefully
scottPosted 10 years ago #
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