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With my loaded with panniers I set off
at 05:30am to ride to Preston Railway Station. I had previously
bought a £9.60 single advanced ticked from Preston to Glasgow
Central. The weather was overcast for my ride to Preston. The train
was 5mins late but we still managed to arrive in Glasgow on time at
09:10am. The weather forecast wasn’t too good and there was a little
drizzle as I wheeled my bike out of the rail station and on to
Gordon St. |
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Some useful advice on the Virgin Train
loo seat
Please don't flush
Nappies, sanitary towels, paper towels, gum, old phones, unpaid
bills, junk mail, your ex's sweater, hopes, dreams or goldfish
down this toilet. |
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I cycled south to reach the Clyde then
west to where the motorway passes over. I followed the cycle route
through the roads to Kelvingrove Park then by the river to Ferry
Road. The cycle trail was very handy as it took me under the busy
roads where I was able to reach Castlebank St and Glasgow Harbour
Terraces. This was as my first objective as it is the location of
‘Rise’, a female angel statue by Andy Scott. |
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The light wasn’t good and the
cluttered background of buildings didn’t help. Across the road I
went through an underpass to join a cycle track heading back east to
the Scottish Exhibition and Conference building area. I crossed the
Clyde at Bells Bridge then along Pacific Drive to the Ibrox Stadium,
the home of Rangers Football Club. This was my second objective to
visit the memorial statue by Andy Scott for the 66 fans who died in
the 1971 tragedy. |
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Also commemorated were the dead of
other tragedies, 25 dead in 1902 and 2 fans in 1961. As I cycled by
the front I noticed the Scottish and Union Flags were flying. I
continued through Renfrew to the Erskine Bride. I’d driven over
several times but this is the first time on my bike. There are cycle
tracks on both sides but sign at the start of each had a sign saying
it was closed and diverted to the other side. |
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Another
sculpture by Andy Scott.
This is the memorial at
Ibrox Stadium - Rangers F.C.
to the 66 fans who died in 1971
2 fans in 1961 &
25 fans in 1902 |
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Crosing
the Erskine Bridge |
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The
Erskine Bridge from the canal |
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I took the west track and found no
obstruction of any kind. A high barrier fence prevented any decent
view. The weather deteriorated and when I reached the north side
torrential rain arrived. I’d left the bridge and was on the cycle
track again so was able to shelter under the bridge as I put my
waterproofs on. I followed the roads to my next objective and
Bowling Basin, the start of the Forth and Clyde canal. I joined the
cycle trail which follows the towpath. |
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Start of
the Forth and Clyde canal |
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Erskine
Bridge from the Clyde |
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Interesting displays by the cycle track |
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The rain varied in intensity for the
rest of the day. Further on it was interesting to see how the canal
had been incorporated into an extensive shopping complex. Further on
I left the canal for a while to Visit the Industrial Estate at
Craigmont St. This is where Andy Scott has his workshop. |
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He wasn’t here the last time I called.
A lady in the adjacent unit office said he was about but when I went
into his workshop there was nobody about. Doors were open and lights
were on but no sign of life. I rejoined the canal route and
continued through the rain to Kirkintillock. I left the canal for a
while to buy 2*2lt bottles of water (20p each) from Sainsbury’s. |
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I continued along the canal where the
towpath was very muddy in places. After the Kilsyth area I reached a
marina where I continued to the next bridge and a picnic area. I’d
hoped to camp here but there were too many people and fishermen
about. I continued in the rain to where there was a patch of wet
grass by the canal which was big enough to get my tent up. It was so
nice to get inside and out of the rain. |
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Whittle Wanderer
