Glasgow Polloch and Glen Tilt

It's been a few days since I last posted any thing. I have been kept busy with a little more biking. Last week Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday I was in Bellahouston and Polloch Parks with some school groups who attend the Celtic Education Trust,(yes the same Glasgow Celtic) active steps programme. This programme has been set up in collaboration with the Glasgow City Council Education services to provide additional support to young people who may be struggling a little at High School. We had six groups for half day sessions. With a some initial input on the basics at the Bike Shed behind Bellahouston leisure centre we then set of to the MB trails in Polloch about a mile away. Given the time limits on the groups they got some experience on to the green (easier) trail and then on to the blue (moderate) trail. As these are mixed ability groups it is some times difficult to give each individual the level of excitement they would like or could handle. The facilities at Polloch are very good and even much more rare given their inner city situation. Bellahouston is developing into a bit of a cycling facility centre with a recently completed road circuit in the park and a vellodrome being built in the park at present.
Most of the City Council Culture and leisure outdoor service 'On Yer Bike' programmes are based there and the day trip programme meets there once a fortnight on a Sunday.
Saturday so the beginning of a six week 'On Yer Bike 2' programme. This is a short course to participants take cycling on to the city trails and cycle routes as well as develop their individual cycling skills.
On the Sunday past the 'On Yer Bike' day trip was to Glen Tilt. After a few hickups at the beginning, bus and trailer problems, we eventually got of to Blair Athol. The weather was ideal for cycling, bright but not to hot. The scenery in the Glen is some thing to behold and the 9 participants, 2 leaders Colin and Ronnie had a memorable day with aprox 17 miles being completed, not bad considering the earlier difficulties.
This Wednesday is the first session of an evening 'On Yer Bike 1' course 6.30 to 8.30 this is a basic skills programme helping the individual participant to become more confident on their bikes so that they can begin to explore more of the city bike trail.

Camping on the Rob Roy Way

The Rob Roy Way does not have a lot of camp sites along it's length. Most are some way of the route. Yesterday14th April, 2 brave walkers set of from Easter Drumquassie Farm, this camp site is on the West Highland Way about 3 miles outside Drymen and is the nearest camp site to Drymen and the start of the RRW. They were heading for Immervoulin Caravan and Camping site at Strathyre a long walking day aprox 29 miles. Their plan was to walk from Strathyre to Kenmore and be transported from Kenmore to Aberfeldy and then transported back to Kenmore the next day. However the long walking distances and early starts and late finishes has taken it's toll. Their plan was changed to include a stop at High Creagans camp site just 2 miles out of Killin. There is no longer a campsite at Kenmore the next nearest being Aberfeldy Caravan Park necessitating in the transport arrangements to and from Kenmore.
It is possible to camp along the RR way but as you will gather it does present some planning issues as well as some long days of walking. These days can be shortend by including the use of sites at Cobeland, Balquhidder Station. For information on the camp sites that can be used go to the RRW web site or contact bike and hike. Colin.

Mountain Biking and Walking the Rob Roy Way

Sunday 9th April. This week saw the continuation of the Glasgow City Culture and Leisure service outdoor teams Spring Break Programme. Each day from Monday the 3rd April groups of young people from youth groups throughout the city made their way to Aberfoyle by mini bus driven by the bold Willie, where they met up with myself and the bikes. After being kited up and some basic instruction on how to handle a bike we set of. The route taken varied depending on the groups over all abilities. They all visited the David Marshal Lodge visitor centre, for lunch and use of the very good facilities. The playground at the rear of the centre was a big attraction.
The route to the centre provides a good taste of riding skills, particularly the climbing side. It also allows the leaders the opportunity to suss out the fitness and skill levels. Most of the groups then undertook a longer ride into the forest park south of Aberfoyle and returning by the way of the cycle track. The feed back from the participants was when/how can we do more, this was despite some very bad weather which delayed some groups setting of. Next week we have another 3 days planned and the long range weather forecast is for more unsettled weather, we will see how the groups attending these sessions get on.
Thursday 6th April saw the first baggage transfers on the Rob Roy Way of the season. A party of 4 from Kirriemuir and on Saturday 8th a father and son from Bearsden.

Spring Fever in Glasgow

Saturday 1st April. This was Glasgow City Parks day when they opened Victoria Park up to lots of outdoor activities that can be done through out the city parks. There was sailing and model boats on the pond, a climbing wall, bowling, mini golf and many other activities. We were there with a small cycling skills course for children and young people. The event was open from 12 noon to 4.oopm. We were at it all of that time with a constant small line waiting for their go.
This proved so successful that we had to call a halt to the event at 4 with a number of young people still to have a go. We eventually closed up shop at 4.30. It is hard to say what the participants get out of this sort of event but we did try to build in some coaching and skills development. The course it's self did encourage development moving from initial stuff like brakes,awareness, steering. And body position then moving on to some more handling skills over small logs and a larger block. The weather turned out fine except for the cold wind all in all a good day. Colin.