r/Glasgow Tools

trackslack

Reddit URLhttps://www.reddit.com/user/trackslack
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r/Glasgow posts100
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Interests:

  • Like the Carling advert from a few years ago https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTzvMCl4Ses by trackslack (Mon 14th Oct 2019 5:22pm)
  • Was on it with a bike recently - was £2 for a single by trackslack (Sat 26th Oct 2019 10:31pm)
  • The Monklands scandal was the other way about - all the councillors were Catholic and one of the allegations was they were favouring Coatbridge over Airdrie as a result of that. by trackslack (Thu 31st Oct 2019 12:40am)
  • If it is full on sprints then i'd stay away from the cyclepath, it's just a bit busy to be safe - you dont want to be head down sprinting and some kid or dog walker step out in front. Glasgow Green might be alright, Bellahouston too (there is an outdoor velodrome there....its not a proper one with banking etc but it will do for some traffic free intervals). Down by the Riverside and go up and down there or another alternative would be to do some hill sprints - like doing a loop featuring Gardner Street in the west end. by trackslack (Tue 5th Nov 2019 8:56am)
  • When the bakery and daily record building were knocked down it was originally to make way for a big tech development centered around Cisco Systems as their European hub. by trackslack (Sun 1st Dec 2019 10:47am)
  • Yeah i remember it, iirc it was called jolly rogers and had a pirate flag outside. Would get raided and close for a bit then open up again. I dont think there was any pretense of it actually being a legitimate shop - all i remember is the lists of music, films, games and computer programmes and lots of plywood! by trackslack (Thu 23rd Jan 2020 2:59pm)
  • Dales are still open for click and collect. by trackslack (Thu 9th Apr 2020 9:19am)
  • There is a cyclelane painted on the road through Giffnock and Newton Mearns etc, shortly after Malletsheugh it becomes a segregated lane. by trackslack (Sat 6th Jun 2020 12:53pm)
  • If you continue on the path to Paisley then that will go down to Lochwinnoch and Kilbirnie virtually all traffic free apart from a short bit in Elderslie, alternatively there is a fork shortly after Elderslie and that can take you towards Bridge of Weir and Kilmacolm. Again all traffic free. If you were to head that way there are lots of quiet lanes off of the cycletrack too - there are signs up as 'Renfrewshire leisure lanes' but i cant find a map of them to link to. Depending on where you are starting out from it may be quicker and easier going on the road through Renfrew (this can be busy though) or taking the cyclepath over the Erskine Bridge and heading towards Bishopton to access these lanes rather than going through Paisley. by trackslack (Sat 6th Jun 2020 1:02pm)
  • Houston / Georgetown road is probably the most popular TT segment in the west of Scotland. Rise up to the roundabout isn't too bad - takes about 3mph off speed for the same effort. I know of a couple of TTers who go up near Kippen to practice as that is very flat - however not that close to Glasgow. Lochlibo road out of Barrhead and the A77 from Malletsheugh are both used for TTs but they are quite rolling. The West Ferry / A8 is a fast course but it is also very busy with traffic. Bellahouston can be alright but often will have people running on the track or kids playing. by trackslack (Mon 24th Aug 2020 11:27pm)
  • Gorky Park which is set in Moscow was partly filmed in Glasgow (along with Helsinki and Stockholm) Even has Rikki Fulton as a KGB officer! by trackslack (Mon 28th Sep 2020 2:52pm)
  • Will probably be part of the NATO exercise called Joint Warrior that is happening just now by trackslack (Tue 13th Oct 2020 9:45am)
  • Yes still on the go, although a lot smaller than they used to be. by trackslack (Wed 11th Nov 2020 4:03pm)
  • Renfrewshire has a lot of quiet route options between Bishoption, Houston, Bridge of Weir, Kilmacolm, Loch Winnoch etc. Getting there on a quiet road is a bit trickier but if you take cyclepath to Erskine Bridge and over that isn't too bad. Alternatively join up with the Sustrans NCN7 cyclepath. That goes through Glasgow however it is a bit meandering around various streets and only really gets good from after Paisley then its Elderslie -> Lochwinnoch -> Kilbirnie (there is also a fork just after Elderslie which will take you to Bridge of Weir and Kilmacolm). Surface of this is great, its virtually all off road. For Whitelee Windfarm an alternative you could is try the back road to Stewarton (Old Glasgow Road) which you can join at Whitecraigs rugby club then before you get to Stewarton take the Clunch road and that will bring you out on the A77 where you will double back about a mile or so to get to the road over the moor that passes the windfarm. It's a quiet road and IMO a more pleasant cycle that the A77 cyclepath when heading south as the surface is a bit smoother and not quite as exposed to the wind. It's also worth having a look at a map at roads from around about Whitecraigs south - there are a few meandering roads that will take you down to Ayrshire - lots of criss crossing about but some of them have really good tarmac and worth exploring. by trackslack (Wed 24th Feb 2021 8:14am)
  • At the moment as you are finding out stock is very tight (and likely will be for months ahead) so you may not get much choice. Mtbs and hybrids are usually sized in inches and road bikes in cm but it's not as simple as just converting inches to cm which some make a mistake when comparing sizes across different types of bikes. A 22" MTB/hybrid is a an XXL frame and more suitable for someone about 6ft5 (for reference this would be the equivalent of a 62cm road bike) At 6ft then 20" is about right but you would be at the lower end of the recommended sizing and a 19" would likely work too. And if stuck between 2 sizes then go for the smaller, it's easier to make adjustments to make a smaller frame fit than one that is too large - plus it will be a little lighter too. by trackslack (Thu 25th Feb 2021 11:32pm)
  • I think its within the 5 mile outside local authority limit for exercise - if so then the walk up to Loch Humphrey will probably give you the most of the sunset. There is a car park at the north side of the erskine bridge and then its about a 20 minute walk up the road and path from there. by trackslack (Thu 18th Mar 2021 9:18pm)
  • Pretty much like /u/OldGodsAndNew says. The first gravelly bit will be a tough but is probably rideable with care on skinny tyres and that will take you to a nice viewpoint of the clyde down below. After that there is a bend and the gradient kicks up and the road surface gets looser and more washed away. I struggle getting up there on a mtb - i couldnt do it on my road bike. by trackslack (Fri 19th Mar 2021 12:31am)
  • I have earlier recollections of Taz bars than Freddos...disappeared in the mid 90s i think. by trackslack (Mon 10th May 2021 11:43am)
  • Yeah can still get them it is Taz bars that were discontinued by trackslack (Mon 10th May 2021 12:05pm)
  • I was on it last weekend and it wasn't too bad - pretty full but also got on the first ferry that arrived going both ways. Ferry is about every 20 minutes so if you have to wait it won't be long. by trackslack (Thu 10th Jun 2021 1:08pm)
  • Aberfoyle area is great particularly if you have a bike that can do off road riding on gravel / forest roads. The downside is the main road there can be very busy. There are quieter options to to get there (cycletrack to Balloch then Croftamie, Drymen) but will add to the mileage. Loch Thom / Greenock Cut is a nice ride (take the Old Largs Road which goes out the back of Greenock towards Largs). There are a few hiking paths in the hills there. If you dont mind a train journey to start then get train to Gourock then ferry over to Dunoon (the ferry to get is the Western Ferries one which is about every 20 mins and you dont need to book in advance) and do a loop around Cowal penisula. IMO those are the best cycling roads that are easily reachable from Glasgow and lots of places to wild camp. Arran is a good trip too but there isn't much availability at the moment on the ferry even as a foot / bike passenger. by trackslack (Wed 7th Jul 2021 11:50pm)
  • If you head to Pollok Park and then take Kennishead Road (starts just south of the park) continue along that to the end then you will be at the Dams to Darnley Country Park. Quiet road and a path that will take you to Balgray reservoir above Barrhead passing a couple of other small reservoirs on the way plus a couple of waterfalls. I've seen people fishing there but you may need a permit, not sure though. If you were continue on further then the little lanes south of there have a few small fishing lochs dotted around as well. by trackslack (Thu 8th Jul 2021 11:42pm)
  • the town hall which is next the abbey by trackslack (Sun 31st Oct 2021 11:37am)
  • Had one this Monday - had results by Tuesday evening by trackslack (Thu 23rd Dec 2021 10:46pm)
  • This site shows details of military flights (although not all - only one showing over Scotland at the moment is a C130) https://globe.adsbexchange.com/ by trackslack (Fri 8th Apr 2022 7:00pm)
  • It's virtually all traffic free cycletrack from Paisley (starting at canal street station) to Kilbirnie via Lochwinnoch. After Elderslie there is also an option to take a fork that will take you out to above Port Glasgow via Bridge of Weir and Kilmacolm. Again all traffic free. Getting to canal street station is a bit more awkward - there is a cycle route there which is part of the sustrans network - some of it pleasant like through Pollok Park and along the White Cart but other bits are on road. It's signed at least so easy to follow. by trackslack (Sun 1st May 2022 6:45pm)
  • On the road to Largs and just outside Kilbirnie there is chocolatier called the Lime Tree. It does good ice cream plus it's all made on the farm so on the road up to it you'll pass the cows the milk comes from. They do various flavours however i think its all tubs rather than cones. Esplanade Cafe at Gourock is good too. by trackslack (Thu 19th May 2022 2:31pm)
  • Lochwinnoch is a nice mostly flat and traffic free on a cyclepath but the water at Castle Semple Loch (the loch right at Lochwinnoch) often isn't good for swimming in due to blue algae. However there are options close by - swimmers will tend to go to the reservoirs which are just to the south of it (like Barcraigs or Kirkleegreen reservoir.) For waterfall swimming then northside of Lochwinnoch has Caldermill or if continue up to Clyde Muirshiel visitor centre there are waterfalls there - Lovely quiet road for cycling on but also 3 miles uphill! White loch which is south out of Newton Mearns on the road to Stewarton is very popular with wild swimmers. Easy to get to but all uphill from Glasgow - easy ride back. The reservoirs at the Dams to Darnley country park often have swimmers but the main reservoir there at the moment is pretty low and looks to be getting drained for work. There are a couple of waterfalls though by trackslack (Sat 9th Jul 2022 3:31pm)
  • It will likely be the common hogweed (which is a native plant and not dangerous) which is the one you've always seen about. The giant variety used to only really be seen on some isolated river banks but the last couple of years its spread much wider. It doesn't look particularly normal or weedy it can be be metres tall. I think it's the sap from the stalk you have to avoid. by trackslack (Tue 16th Aug 2022 11:39am)
  • On streetview you can see all the previous times the road has been photographed - you can see the park gates open and basketball court in a couple of the old ones. by trackslack (Mon 24th Oct 2022 4:44pm)
  • A few years ago i remember a thread on twitter looking for the locations - this was on Dalmarnock Road. by trackslack (Mon 31st Oct 2022 8:33am)
  • Glasgow MTB club have a midweek ride every week (used to meet near Mugdock on a Wednesday and presumably this is still the case) plus something at the weekend. Most of the other Glasgow area cycling clubs are predominantly road clubs, however within these there will be riders that dabble a bit with mtb or gravel. A few years ago used to be a meetup group called Glasgow Mountain Biking that was very active but they are no longer on meetup and i think switched to facebook. I'm not on facebook so don't know if it's still on the go though. by trackslack (Mon 21st Nov 2022 6:19pm)
  • Baynes is pretty good. They seem to be expanding in the Glasgow area have one at Tollcross and a drive in near Braehead. Two Eight Seven bakers on the southside do something a bit different - macaroni hand pie (sort of like a pastie). Only open at the weekends though and it's not always on the menu. by trackslack (Sun 15th Jan 2023 4:14pm)
  • Despite being disappointed in the cafe it's still worth trying the Mother India restaurant. It's always been a level above the cafe and is still IMO the best Indian restaurant in Glasgow. However after that the one i go to most is Ranjits Kitchen in the southside but it might not be what you are after - it's not an extensive menu. But for a quick lunch it's great and pretty inexpensive. by trackslack (Sat 21st Jan 2023 8:32am)
  • Was a tax write off after Discovery took over Warner Bros. by trackslack (Sat 18th Feb 2023 12:04am)
  • As well as the other suggestion if you are a student then Glasgow and Strathclyde both have fairly active cycle clubs. Not all about racing but social rides too plus some circuits / spin classes midweek by trackslack (Sat 18th Feb 2023 9:07am)
  • The EWS has helped breath some new life into MTB in terms of race numbers and participation (XC is a shadow of what it was 20+ years ago and DH has always been more specialist) but they didn't have any influence over UCI deciding to bring these events to Scotland. It's been an ongoing process for years now - the MTB world champs were in Fort William in 2007 and there has been a round of the DH world cup there most years since. Then there has been track world cups, bmx world cups, Junior track worlds, commonwealth games, plus European Champs for road, track, bmx and xc mtb. It was after the success of the European championship that the decision was made to have the UCI cycling worlds as a multi discipline event every 4 years (2018 was the first time it had happened for the European championships too). As host of these Euros Glasgow had a proven track record of hosting a successful event - plus a lot of the infrastructure already in place for it so was in a strong position to bid. by trackslack (Tue 1st Aug 2023 12:50pm)
  • There are regular sessions for kids - bikes plus protective equipment like body armour and helmets can be hired too. It's only about £3 so IMO pretty good value for money. It does need to be booked though, like u/Johnus_Maximus says it is pretty full on. Riders need to be taught the basics first and demonstrate they are safe. Just turning up to ride without passing the accreditation is potentially dangerous not just for them but anyone else on the track. by trackslack (Tue 1st Aug 2023 1:05pm)
  • Will be through the Glasgow Club website similar to booking a football pitch, gym class or golf tee time. Alternatively could also ride it by joining one of local kids cycling clubs that use it (those sessions wont appear on the website) - Western Titans are BMX focused and Glasgow Riderz are a bit broader. by trackslack (Tue 1st Aug 2023 2:48pm)
  • It has still had the snow for the last year since it's 'temporary' closure - such a waste, most of the costs of running the facility but no income and noone getting to use it. by trackslack (Tue 3rd Oct 2023 3:28pm)
  • Paisley halloween festival is free and pretty good. Easy to get to by bus or train. by trackslack (Wed 25th Oct 2023 3:44pm)
  • One of the Italian track cyclists (Simone Consonni - he already has an Olympic gold and has been a previous world champ so would have been in with a realistic chance of a medal) broke his arm cycling to the velodrome on the day of his race after an e-bike delivery rider crashed into him on the cyclepath. The guy on the e-bike was going so fast he ended up in the Clyde after going over the barriers and had to be rescued! by trackslack (Sat 28th Oct 2023 5:50pm)
  • It's legal to cycle there but it's a bit tricky with the traffic and sightlines. The slipload leaving the motorway is 30mph but drivers need to look back quite sharply over their shoulder to see traffic (bikes or cars) coming from the Berryknowes road direction so you need to be very aware of what they are doing as well as looking at the cars already on the roundabout. The alternative road route would be to continue on Berryknowes Road to the roundabout then take the Langlands road exit and head to the tunnel cyclepath from there but that roundabout is probably even worse for potential accidents. by trackslack (Thu 16th Nov 2023 8:01pm)
  • To be fair the prices were worth fighting over! by trackslack (Thu 30th Nov 2023 3:14pm)