I have the next month off on Shared Parental leave with my son who is now old enough and enjoys the Croozer bike trailer.
We've just had him out for a 30km out and back to Ratho on the Canal which we enjoyed greatly, but I found the canal a bit busy & narrow with pedestrians with headphones in so struggled to get past in places.
We'd really like to get a few more cycles in over the next few weeks; nothing epic 30km / 3 hours is plenty and preferably with a cafe. Ideally looking for something like Rothemuchas forrest - smooth gravel tracks and undulating rather than hilly and preferably not a 2.5 hour drive away.
Other than the obvious Water of Leith / Edinburgh railway paths, who suggestions do you have. Preferably within 1- 1.5hr so drive from West Edinburgh.
Thanks
Beecraigs Country Park - not expansive exactly but nice mixture of paths, trails and varied woodland, very good playpark and a cafe
Falkirk Canada Wood & Falkirk Wheel - loads of trails around there in mixed woodland and interesting places to explore, cafe options aplenty
Falkland Estate - one of the most underrated placed in Scotland IME, lots of nice trees
Aberfoyle but staying more south and west of Aberfoyle (you may wish to wait for water to recede)
Tentsmuir near Dundee
Aberfoyle around Loch Ard, Duchray Water, Loch Chon area is great.
South of Loch Venechar - lovely pottering out to Brig O Turk Cafe (see goat ice cream farm before it closes this week and/or cafe at Brig O turk) and along side of Archray. There may be some out and back to see nice things, but it is lovely around there.
North of Loch Katrine - basically car free road. YOu could get ferry back or just return the way you came.
Fortingall and up Glen Lyon is spectacular at this time of year - and very, very few cars. Cafe at Brigde of Balgie is teh brilliantz.
2nd vote for Tentsmuir.
A lap of loch Leven also good
Pencaitland railway? Its an out and back and you can explore bits off it. Some kid friendly woods as well to explore
Dunfermline to Clackmannan railway, and or Devilla.
Falkirk Canada Woods is a tad narrow for a Croozer in places - wheels will be bumping along the trail edges.
Video’s quite a few years old but gives you an idea:
Also, Loch Katrine:
Not exactly riveting videos 🙂
Also, Loch Leven is about 20km around the paths and has playpark bonus.
And I imagine some of the Aberfoyle gravel routes might be well suited, but I’ve not ridden them.
Also - Galloway has the Raiders Road which is a pleasant spin - and out of season will be quiet: https://forestryandland.gov.scot/visit/forest-parks/galloway-forest-park/raiders-road-forest-drive
How about an island road? Loop of Cumbrae I found really nice.
West Loch Lomond Cycle Path? I need to go back it has been about 20 years since....
Also - Callander to Glenogle head - lovely route, beavers en-route and all off road.
That’s brilliant, loads to be getting into. Thanks. <br /><br />
think once the wee ones’ down tonight I’ll look the routes up on OS over a dram. Also have a look to see if we can get out to another bothy by bike with him too 😀
Falkirk Canada Woods is a tad narrow for a Croozer in places – wheels will be bumping along the trail edges.
Yes the "trail centre" bits definitely but for a trailer ride I was meaning the main tracks. The path network around there is extensive and you can link up great rides taking in Canada Wood, Falkirk Wheel, Roman forts, Canal, Callendar Park, Helix etc.
Possibly also Carron Valley?
Dunkeld, up past the Mill Dam to Loch Ordie, starting from the car park up behind the sawmill. At the Mill Dam, look for log dams and signs of beavers having munched lots of trees around the loch. Stay on that track along the western shore of the Mill, then continue northwards on this track all the way to Ordie.
On arriving at the wee bridge and sluice exiting at the west end of the loch, bear right, cross that little stone bridge and then go immediately left up a wee bank among bushes to a little cairn and stop there. Take some seed or cake crumbs to feed the robin and blue tits there above the shoreline, they're tame. it's a bonny sheltered spot and with a grand view out.
Cafe back in the village.
think once the wee ones’ down tonight I’ll look the routes up on OS over a dram
Map n flap evenings. What whisky is made for.
After last night's Big Bike Film night at the MacRobert you should definitely be thinking 300km gravel enduros from Colorado to Utah with a child & trailer
After last night’s Big Bike Film night at the MacRobert you should definitely be thinking 300km gravel enduros from Colorado to Utah with a child & trailer <br /><br />
Today reminded me of a a Dutch family on a cycle tour a few years ago we met touring on the Loire à vélo. The lass was iirc 8 and riding her own bike. The boy was 2or3 and in a croozer. One parent pulled the kid, other pulled the luggage trailer. Aimed for 20kms a day, camping and visiting loads of castles a the like. They were having a rare time. Quite inspirational. <br />
Would only work on a flat tour though!
