CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Infrastructure

New cycle route from Strathyre to Kingshouse unveiled

(19 posts)
  • Started 10 years ago by slowcoach
  • Latest reply from crowriver

  1. slowcoach
    Member

    Minister announces funding for a new cycle path in the Trossachs
    "Transport Minister Keith Brown said:

    “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.

    “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."

    Since the Scottish Government can justify spending on this route, surely it can justify other cycle routes even more?

    Posted 10 years ago #

  2. Wilmington's Cow
    Member

    Except that announced route (which should be a lovely route) takes no space away from motorised traffic...

    Posted 10 years ago #

  3. EddieD
    Member

    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.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  4. cb
    Member

    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?

    The valley floor here is not known as Loch Occasional for nothing so any bridge / approach paths would probably need to be reasonably substantial.

    Also the road makes you go up a bit of a hill.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  5. twq
    Member

    How many people is this short path benefiting? Does it link up with other quality bike routes? Looks lovely though!

    Posted 10 years ago #

  6. cb
    Member

    "Does it link up with other quality bike routes?"

    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.

    This bit was always the missing link. There was a quiet road option via Balquidder, but it was a bit of a detour.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  7. fimm
    Member

    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.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  8. EddieD
    Member

    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.

    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.

    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.

    http://goo.gl/maps/v59V4

    Posted 10 years ago #

  9. kaputnik
    Moderator

    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)

    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.

    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.

    Path into Killin along the old railway is muddy whindust but was OK in summer.

    Climb out of Lochearnhead back up to the railway is something else! Endless switchbacks on a very steep but mercifully tarmacced surface.

    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.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  10. shuggiet
    Member

    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.

    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.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  11. fimm
    Member

    It is Sustrans Route 7 (I thought it was a Sustrans route).

    I don't wish to cycle my road bike on a non-tarmac surface.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  12. crowriver
    Member

    Having cycled up the A84 to Lochearnhead, I'd say anything that improves the cycle path alternative is to be welcomed.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  13. slowcoach
    Member

    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?

    Posted 10 years ago #

  14. crowriver
    Member

    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.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  15. Wilmington's Cow
    Member

    Grrrrr! Damned government providing money for cycle routes that people might use, how very dare they!

    Posted 10 years ago #

  16. Wilmington's Cow
    Member

    (I quite enjoyed the switchbacks when I rode them) ;)

    Posted 10 years ago #

  17. kaputnik
    Moderator

    @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 :)

    Posted 10 years ago #

  18. Wilmington's Cow
    Member

    The extra weight will have improved your traction at least.... :P

    Posted 10 years ago #

  19. crowriver
    Member

    Grrrrr! Damned government providing money for cycle routes that people might use, how very dare they!

    Eh?

    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...

    Posted 10 years ago #

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