I’d planned a cycle ride across Scotland partly to have a birthday
that is a bit different. Yesterday I replaced the rear brake shoes
on my Surly bike and as I set off for the rail station this morning
they rear brake failed completely. It’s possible a brake pad had
detached but there was no time to investigate so I had to set off
with just my front brake operational.
Glasgow Central Rail Station
I set off just before 05:30am and cycled to Preston Rail Station
where I arrived with plenty of time. I was on the 06:40am Virgin
train to Glasgow. My ticket was booked in advance and cost £10.55. I
had to take all my panniers off to hang my bike from the roof hook.
It was a pleasant journey and I arrived at Glasgow Central Station
around 09:10. I set off north through busy traffic to connect with
the canal that would take me to the Forth & Clyde canal.
Speirs Wharf
Forth & Clyde Canal
I reached Speirs Wharf in cold sunshine and set off along the
towpath. For a while I was riding on cobbles and was glad to leave
them when the towpath had a smooth surface. After a few miles I left
the canal to ride along the road to the industrial estate where the
workshop is of the artist Andy Scott.
Sub-station camouflage
Forth & Clyde Canal
Speirs Wharf
Sunny morning
I was hoping to say hello but the security guard on the gate said he
was in America and had been working there for the past 6 months. I
have cycled to see some of Andy’s work previously including The
Kelpies near Grangemouth & Aria near Cumbernauld. I re-joined the
canal and set off towards Kirkintillock. After a couple of miles a
couple of cyclists were riding towards me and stopped for a chat.
They were on road bikes and interested in my bike. They were from
Glasgow and both 71 years old but didn’t look or sound it. Even
though the lovely sunny day continued it was quite cold and earlier
there were some patches of ice. I stopped briefly as I crossed the
road at Kirkintillock to enjoy a bit of warm sunshine before
continuing.
Kirkintilloch
Forth & Clyde Canal
Further along the canal were some lady canoeists. Further on was a
man on a bike giving instructions to one of them. It was an
enjoyable ride as I continued to Bonnybridge where I left the canal
for a short way to descend the hill to the Tesco Express supermarket
to buy 2, 2lt bottles of water for 49p each. I re-joined the canal
and continued to the Falkirk Wheel boat lift.
Forth
& Clyde canal
Below the Falkirk wheel
Falkirk Wheel boat lift
Kelpies copy & Falkirk Wheel
I followed the path up by the lift to the higher car park where
there was a small scale copy of The Kelpies artwork. I re-joined the
towpath again and was now I was on the Union Canal. It immediately
went into a short concrete tunnel with a wide towpath and lighting.
Once through there was a basin then an upward flight of locks. Above
these I was hoping to camp but I couldn’t find anywhere suitable. I
continued for a few more miles then came to an interesting tunnel.
It was longer and had quite a bit of water falling from the rock
roof.
Top of the boat lift
Canal tunnel above the Falkirk Wheel
Canal tunnel above the Falkirk Wheel
The
impressive and colourful Falkirk Tunnel
Falkirk Tunnel
Falkirk Tunnel
There were lights for the whole length and some were of different
colours making it look very attractive. I tried a few photos. It
was the Falkirk Tunnel and is 636m long and constructed by working
from both ends and from the bases if three shafts driven down from
the surface. The first passengers were so scared that the canal
company laid on horses and carriages to transport them overland.
Camp 1
The Union Canal in Scotland is 31 miles long and united
Edinburgh with the Forth & Clyde Canal from 1822. After a period of
decline it closed to boats in 1965. Following restoration it was
reopened to all in 2002. Further along the canal I reached a
bridge and a sign saying "Old Drove Road" I crossed the bridge and
wheeled my bike into the woods where there was a nice pitch for the
tent. A bonus was a good phone signal and an FM radio reception.
Return to
Whittle Wanderer
