Even though I live nearby I've never ventured up there, so plan to soon.
I've got the What Mountain Bike route guide from a few months ago so could follow that, but experience tells me they often miss the best bits. There's a reasonably large area up there, so what mustn't I miss?
I'll most likely be heading up from the Milngavie/Craigton end but wouldn't mind descending at the Old Kilpatrick or Dumbarton sides if the descent was worth it.
If you go via Burncrooks reservoir towards Loch Humphrey, you can pass the three Duncolms and descend either to Old Kilpatrick / Erskine Bridge or Milton, by Dumbarton.
The obvious route when descending from Loch Humphrey to the Erskine Bridge is the main Landrover track but better routes can be found if you explore the umpteen sheep tracks just east of the main track. Just after the start of the main descent, veer left off the track across a tiny wooden bridge made of railway sleepers and climb to the ridge south west of the Slacks. Most tracks off to the right will take you down the Kilpatrick Braes although some end in the trees. Most of the singletrack is uber narrow, quite smooth and rejoins the main track above Gavinburn Farm. It's a surprisingly tranquil area, given it's proximity to Glasgow.
Descending to Milton or Dumbarton means going west along the south shoreline of Loch Humphrey, which can be muddy and rooty, before the track improves towards the Lang Craigs. Various options, above or below the crags, exist. A beautifully smooth grassy trail then winds down towards Overtoun House. Descending again from there to the National Cycle Path can be via Milton Brae (tarmac road), a tarmac path to Dumbarton Council Offices or a cheeky wee path behind the houses. The National Cycle Path goes back from Milton to the Forth & Clyde Canal and Erskine Bridge.
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Can post more pics online if you want a peek at the terrain, views etc.
Ally, ive got a route stored (along with a few others on mapmyride) Here. Used to ride that area a lot and there is some cracking trails. Another route you could do is follow the outer edge of the Humpreey loch round right (takes you the long way but its ridable due to a road) and then follow a fait path off into fields (you'll see it). This will take you onto a fireroad (take a right at the juntion) and past the black loch. Go through the trees and you come out at the top of Overtoun House trail (watch out its filled with walkers on a good day). Enjoy a fast flowing downhill to Overtoun House and then the road off the hills to Milton/Dumbarton where you could catch a train back.
Excellent, that's given me a couple of things to look for. I think the first time I'll just head up from the Milngavie end and come back down, but if it looks good I'll probably head up quite often and just explore.
Wouldn't mind seeing more pics downshep, if you've got a flickr album or whatever.
Allyharp,
We didn't 'miss the best bits'. 😉
The ride over to the Wangie is worth it to create a long loop starting and finishing in Milngavie. Only a part of the route approaching Burncrooks reservoir is a bit vage but you just head for the Dam and cross the stream just before it - easy. You can also add on the climb and descent round the path from the Wangie to the Queen's View Car Park if the weather has been dry...
Climbing up the fireroad then cutting off before the first gate means that you can do a steep but doable switch back climb on grassy track and singletrack to the trig point above the Cochno. You can then traverse west on singletrack towards Loch Humphrey, skirt round it's southern flank then connect up with the Crags walk. Nice and fast grassy descent to the old estate house below it finishing with a narrow straight line hoon down the side of a fence to Milton below. All good stuff.
The mountain bike club do this route as a night ride and will be doing it next Wednesday at 7pm meeting at the main car park at Bowling Canting basin if you fancy joining us?
If you want more big hill riding, there is a wheen of stuff in the Campsies behind Dumgoyne. Again all rideable up and down and well worth the effort.
Cheers
Sanny
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/65034686@N00/sets/72157618853494751/show/ ]Random Kilpatricks pics[/url]
Some great photos there downshep. I'm just down the Clyde at Dunoon and have often wondered about the trails up behind Dumbarton. Might have to come and give them a try.
If you want a change of scenery 'doon the watter' then give us a shout... cowalmountainbikeclub@yahoo.co.uk and we'll show you some trails over here.
Cheers,
Rob