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A recent article on Glasgow mtb riding spots in a magazine painted a somewhat different picture of the reality of owning and using a decent mtb in my "beloved" city.Much of the countryside and parklands in and around Glasgow has been ravaged by the worst recent weather in years including 2 severe hurricanes within a month.Lack of council funding has left many trails abandoned and treacherous to ride.Also,Cathkin Braes shares a notorious reputation with Pollock park as the location of high profile murders in the city and with frequent muggings,thefts and assaults of cyclists its no wonder that more riders have to travel to the trail centres-funds permitting.Despite the 2014 Commonwealth games hype, unless an extensive security system is put in place and sustained Cathkin will be a thieves playground and ultimately will end in its demise.
Um, okay...
in my selfish little mind it is funny to read this after years of people moaning that the 7stanes trail centres were built too far away from where they lived!!!
Pollok Park doesnt have a notorious reputation, its a lovely park!
The problem it has from a mtb perspective is the marked trails there are so short there is little point riding them
What are these 'facts' you speak of?.
Er.. Think the worst thing that's happened in Pollok park recently is a box full of abandoned puppies!
Yes, there's rough bits, but there's rough bits everywhere- the mag article was just playing on stereotypes a bit..
I've been up to Cathkin a few times, once there was a few neds in the woods but I didn't bother them, and they didn't bother me!
Edit- as per the above posts, the OP hasn't actually said what they think the "facts" are!
Granted the weather has not been kind, but theres so much riding on the outskirts of glasgow, think your painting a very pessimistic view of the riding in the west of scotland and the central belt in general 🙁
Having lived and ridden in and around Glasvegas for almost 20 years I can firmly state that the original post is indeed a great steaming pile o' pish.
A recent article on Glasgow mtb riding spots in a magazine painted a somewhat different picture of the reality of owning and using a decent mtb in my "beloved" city
could you tell us what magazine and which article or do we have to guess
where was I during these two severe hurricanes?
I think he is talking about this months MTB mag. Got to say though, the outskirts of Glasgow offer some great riding, Kilpatrick Hills, Mugdock and Carron Valley, Arrochar, and Ardgarten a reasonable drive away. I think we do pretty good for choice.
Mountain bikes weren't designed for city use. Have a look at an OS map and you'll see some pointy things up the coast a bit.
I think he is talking about this months MTB mag. Got to say though, the outskirts of Glasgow offer some great riding, Kilpatrick Hills, Mugdock and Carron Valley, Arrochar, and Ardgarten a reasonable drive away. I think we do pretty good for choice.
Exactly ... 😉
Cathkin Braes, sadly, went through a number of years where it gained a reputation for Cottaging and other such antisocial behaviour. Since the work has begun on developing the Commonwealth games mtb course most of that has been halted. Plain clothes police and park rangers are around and the numbers of cyclists and families using the park have increased. Whilst dog walkers can be a pest, they help populate the park too. So, slowly but surely the braes return to use and will provide a great venue. I grew up near here and as teenagers we'd go up there satellite spotting to no harm. The bedrock provides challenging riding and there are tonnes of natural features. Pollok Park is 20 minutes from the city centre and if you combine the green blue and red routes you get a fun city course a few laps of which provide a good work out. But it'll always be a city park route, it doesn't pretend other wise. Further out to Mugdock is perfectly rideable (it's in east dumbartonshire though). Was out there on Sunday and ground conditions were surprisingly good. So I really don't know what the op's issue is. Glasgow is built in a valley. There is good landscape to ride north and south with some facilities moments from the city so that people can get out and spin their wheels practically on their door step. Can I suggest the open moves to Fort William as he's clearly missed the point in so many ways.
I thought my post would have caused controversy and was based on genuine experiences shared with others and also having lived in Glasgow all my life (50 years).There are scores of neds riding about on decent bikes at others expense and personally Ive witnessed many cases of bike thefts or related vehicle break ins including outwith the greater Glasgow area-Carron Valley for instance.As for the person that missed the hurricanes,you must have been out of the planet as one was even featured on you-tube.Glasgow housing association were still repairing damaged property over 6 months later-including mine!If others havent had any bad experiences that`s great,but in imho owning and riding a decent mtb IN AND AROUND HERE can be "interesting" at least.
What's with the font?
Okeydokey.
whats with the random font changes rickygreen? 😐
you must have been out of the planet as one was even featured on you-tube
I've been featured on You-Tube falling drunk into an open dishwasher in a chalet in Morzine.
Not sure that makes me famous though 🙂
Not causing any controversy, just confusion , the things your talking about you will see in any major city in britain, so are you talking about thefts or riding in general?
Lived here for nearly 5 years. Not lived anywhere better for riding or dodgyness on my doorstep. @That said, I'd not ride in pollock park or other inner city spots much because theyre dull. I suspect that those complaining havent experienced living in a flat English rural village?
Headline! There are people out there that will steal stuff. Inner city areas can be a bit rough. Topography with only a 12 metre drop will probably be limited in adrenaline. Sounds like extreme weather and random font changes are you only source of pleasure. On the up side, the world's ending on the 21st.
If you think Glasgow is bad, try Liverpool. We have the same crime / poverty issues but its utterly shite for MTBing. At least Glasgow has hills nearby...
There wasn't actually any hurricanes...
There wasn't actually any hurricanes...
What about hurricane bawbag?
What's with the font?
Something to do with the character the OP is using for his apostrophes (alternate font turns on and off at apostrophised words)
collinstiffee - Member
Cathkin Braes, sadly, went through a number of years where it gained a reputation for Cottaging and other such antisocial behaviour
Wouldn't let you join in?
Glad I'm from Edinburgh, our riding's better and our gays are far more social 😛
There are scores of neds riding about on decent bikes at others expense
Where exactly?
There wasn't actually any hurricanes...
[url= http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8477/8265575872_b85b48d4d9.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/49017178@N04/8265575872/ ]alex-higgins[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/49017178@N04/ ]Doubledunter[/url], on Flickr
I just wanted to point out to others-esp non Glaswegians that come for a short visit that it`s not all sweetness and light despite what the mag article said.Sorry,regardless of all the regenerations,you need to keep your wits about you.The weather is an added distraction.Rant over.
Ride in pollok all the time and ive never seen any bother in over 10 years of riding there. plenty of riding up at mugdock with no problems.
ps sorry about the font changes,laptop issues as well as crime and weather.haha.keeeeeeep riding.
Has anyone got a copy or link to the article at all? I don't know which mag it is from above.
The one downer with mountain biking around Glasgow is that is is not as accessible to the masses as Edinburgh, with the trail centres they have nearby. There is a lot of good riding, and since moving to Torrance I can do a good bit of varied riding from my door. Pollok Park etc are small areas and not much of a draw.
HOWEVER...
[url= http://www.kirkintilloch-herald.co.uk/news/local-headlines/residents-back-outdoor-hub-plans-1-2231104 ]Lennox Forest outdoor Centre[/url]
Also, please show your support for the above on facebook etc. This could be the first serious bike trail centre around Glasgow and the topography indicates it could be a belter!
Hmmm I hope this Lennox forest venture doesn't trash the nice quiet open access we have up there now and make it another crawling trail centre 🙁
As per Innerleithen etc there will still be a myriad of natural trails. The trails up there now may or may not be in the build area, too early to know at this stage.
Facts according to who?
I used to ride up there every week with the Craig McMartin (Freeflow) boys until I moved darn sarf, and saw neds on one occasion. They tried to throw a bottle at us, but it was a woeful attempt and we rode off.
There's trouble everywhere if you look, I wouldn't let it put anyone off, despite the doomsday predictions of the OP.
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This is a very odd topic.
I've no doubt this is a troll but I'll bite. Op you're talking utter guff mate. Have you ever lived in any other city? I live next to pollock park and run/cycle round there twice a week. I've never once seen or had any bother, and don't know of anyone who has! Actually I find it much safer than in any inner city park I've previously cycled. Oh, we don't get hurricanes this far north despite what neds on you tube tell you.. 2 very intense tropical depressions that blew a few trees over in pollock park...which the nice wardens let me keep for firewood
rickygreen(whoever you really are)= complete dickhead
I must say, as a non-local: that's a pretty weird first post from anyone.
Yes, it's definitely not a description of Glasgow I recognise.
And I live in Maryhill.
Anyone heading out on Sunday morning? I fancy Mugdock...
I have to disagree with the OP also, although there is no need for personal insults nick1962, this isn't pickbike!
I lived in Nrth Glasgow for 24 yrs until 1996 and I cant say I had any issues with the riding at all.
You think it's bad on the west coast. I'm in Edinburgh & there is a squirrel raiding my bird table as we speak. ..In Broad Daylight!!!
another shout for Mugdock and Kilpatrick hills.
Only last week there was 15 of us met with FC woodland trust officials to look into some natural trail building up the kilpatrick hills,
rickygreen, you're from Edinburgh, aren't you?
I want my money back. The OP promised THE FACTS, and all I can see are poorly punctuated anecdotes. I did my PG Dip in Glasgow years back, and while you had to be fairly streetwise back then, I never felt particularly threatened there. Which is saying something for someone with a Home Counties accent.
If the OP has witnessed bike thefts, muggings etc, I'm sure he can point us to the relevant statistics.
For example: [url= http://www.strathclyde.police.uk/about_us/statistics/crime_statistics/ ]Strathclyde Police crime stats[/url]
I picked all the fun ones, and compared the last three years. With a few exceptions (Naughty Neds in Calston, it would appear) reported crimes are fairly static or moving downwards.
I'm making some tea. Anyone have biscuits?
YouTube + "facts" = bearing re-seller and conspiracy theory fan.
Brycey love the pic of the two guys going off that wee lip. Lived in cathkin for 4 years now, never any problems with neds, the gay guys usually stay well out of my way and the dog walkers are ok. With freeflow up the road having an interest the the new trails things will get better as it becomes more populated.
I've lived here in Glasgow for 20 years now. I ride in Pollock Park regularly in the evenings after work (as it's close to my flat) and have never had any bother. The same goes for Mugdock and Carron Valley.
Hurricanes? Do you mean when it was a wee bit windy? Pretty normal for the west coast of Scotland in winter IME.
OP way to go reinforcing negative stereotypes.
another Glasgow rider here. Suspicious troll methinks, first posting from OP
iainc were you at the FC meeting a few weeks back??
hainman...any more details on the trail building proposals? (at the risk of highjacking the thread!)
hainman - no, wasn't there, think some of the club committe were though (GMBC) ?
I've been featured on You-Tube falling drunk into an open dishwasher in a chalet in Morzine.
Link please?
Another weekly Cathkin braes and pollock park rider here and never had any issues in many years riding both, on day and night rides.
OP talking shite, no idea what his angle is.
[i]Hurricanes? Do you mean when it was a wee bit windy? Pretty normal for the west coast of Scotland in winter IME.[/i]
To be fair there were a couple of days it was a tad windier than usual, however the OlP fleas come across as something of a frame queen. At 50 years old you should know better.
At 50 years old you should know better.
Wrong way round.
05 years old.
hainman...any more details on the trail building proposals? (at the risk of highjacking the thread!)
Not really. It was an initial meeting with the local riders to see what we'd like. Nothing promised yet.
I kinda understand what he's trying to say.... The article in question paints a slightly rosier picture of Glasgow than is the reality for MTBers but thats not to say Glasgow is in any way bad.
I'm originally from Edinburgh and for the last 8 years have lived in Paisley.
Most of my riding just now is at Mugdock which I do once or twice a week with a large group, Gleniffer Braes now and again and the odd blast round Pollock Park as well as trips to Trail centres whenever I get the chance. I can get to most of the 7 Stanes within a 2 hour drive and have some prettty tasty local trails so all in all compared to most places in this country Glasgow is pretty good for MTBers - of course it would be fantastic having some untouched trails within spitting distance of my house but hey-ho thats just how it is.
When cycling in and around Glasgow not once have I had any bother - never seen any "real" neds in Mugdock or Pollock Park and any neds I've encountered up at Gleniffer have been fine - who knows... maybe the fact that I'm 15 stone, unshaven and usually covered head to toe in mud stops them from bothering me. I usually say hello in fairness and ask if they've any spare bucky 😀
I was brought up in a pretty tough part of Edinburgh and learned very early on not to show any fear and speak to people with a confidence that will unsettle them and get them on your side.
[b]BUT[/b] - Cathkin Braes is on the doorstep of a pretty tough part of town and unless there is some form of security during the honeymoon period i can see there being some issues - doggers, gays etc. will just go somewhere else once there are a lot of big smelly MTBers spoiling their fun and as for the neds..... well I would like to think that through time they will learn that most MTBers are pretty strong, fit and more importantly FAST.
Will be interesting to see what comes of Cathkin once the dust settles - seems like theres a fairly active community and if the community gets fully behind it and the centre at St Martins goes as planned then it could be "pure dead brilliant" 😉
Just look at how much money MTBers spend in the communities surrounding the 7stanes sites!
To andynaismith,huge thanks for interpreting what I was trying to put across.It seems some people dont want to here the truth or did I just state the obvious?You would think that Glasgow and the outskirts were a mini Whistler the way some have ranted on ffs.I genuinely hope Cathkin takes off and blossoms and the site doesnt end up going the same way as the Garden festival did when it closed in 1988 ie a yuppie housing site.Maybe Ive just witnessed too much crime and shit having lived in Glasgows schemes and thats why I`m so negative.
*hear* ...obviously no interest in listening to what folk are saying, which is theres great riding outwith the city centre...im out 🙄
I've cycled in and around the north side of Glasgow for years. Attacks on cyclists are pretty rare but they do happen. I've had to take evasive action twice to avoid drunken neds coming onto Maryhill Rd to assault me. I'm talking about late night commuting around midnight though. I also had to burst through a group of teenagers who tried to stop me on the Canal bank one evening.
I remember a nurse got pushed off her bike in Cadder Rd a few years ago and broke her arm. Another cyclist was robbed of his bike on the canal bank at Milton. Again late at night. In the parks during the day it's probably pretty safe. On my own I would still keep my wits about me though. Like it or not there are some violent people about in many areas of Glasgow.
http://www.strathclyde.police.uk/whats_happening/news/2012/october/robbery-maryhill/
[i]To andynaismith,huge thanks for interpreting what I was trying to put across.It seems some people dont want to here the truth or did I just state the obvious[/i]
But you're not stating the obvious at all nor are you telling the truth. I was also brought up on a Glasgow housing scheme so that shit doesn't wash with me.
[i]Like it or not there are some violent people about in many areas of Glasgow.[/i]
As you find in any large town and city.
Phew,great start for my first post,most of you lot seem a right touchy bunch eh? There I was trying to pass on some info based on shared experiences with mates and fellow Glaswegians...tut tut.Whatever happened to our great Glasgow banter? Even Midsommer on TV had a cyclist killed. Lighten up guys.x
Ricky lots of us from Glasgow and area on here and to use the banter you like ' what a load of pish' 😀 Sure there are some bad area in the city itself, as in every big town, but less than 20 mins drive in virtually every direction there is loads of riding, whether the natural and lots of hidden stuff at Mugdock, the decidedly dodgy Cathkin, and the in between Glennifer Braes. Lots of variety for different weather, abilities etc.
The think I find most odd here is that you come on with a weird first post, making a confused point about not very much, and then get a bit tetchy about it. Why not come along on a Tue or Wed GMBC ride at Mugdock, enjoy some nice trails and a good cuppa and some banter afterwards ? always welcome to newcomers 😆
Been reading this thread with interest as I am moving to Glasgow in the new year - not sure whether to be excited by the riding or scared witless 😉
As ianic says
...if OP doesn't want to I'll certainly be looking to take you up that opportunityWhy not come along on a Tue or Wed GMBC ride at Mugdock, enjoy some nice trails and a good cuppa and some banter afterwards ? always welcome to newcomers
cakerider- great riding, but I think the OP has an axe to grid for whatever reason 😐
anyway, come along and see for yourself [url= http://www.gmbc.org.uk/ ]here with GMBC[/url]
😆
As you find in any large town and city.
But just more so in Glasgow. The murder rate in Glasgow is one of the highest in western Europe and twice as that of London.
http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/shocking-rise-in-scottish-knife-crime.15457796
I live in paisley and ride glennifer alot . most of the time the neds are just having a beer and fishing , not a massive problem .
Thought we were talking about riding potential around glasgow area ...silly me 🙄
I ride up in cathkin braes at least two times a week never had any bother apart from dodgin the odd gay boy!!
Biggest worry for the braes is the gmbc takin over when the mtb course is finished.. 😆
course is looking cracking btw.
make sure you keep a stanley knife in your camelback just incase!
iainc & doubledunter - cheers both
planning a new years eve jaunt around mugdock on new years eve whilst i am up and then a bit more exploring and hooking up with folks when the move is done at the start of feb!
looking forward to it 😀
nowt to worry about there marky - there are only a few of us based south side !Biggest worry for the braes is the gmbc takin over when the mtb course is finished..
Phew,great start for my first post,most of you lot seem a right touchy bunch eh? There I was trying to pass on some info based on shared experiences with mates and fellow Glaswegians...tut tut.Whatever happened to our great Glasgow banter? Even Midsommer on TV had a cyclist killed. Lighten up guys.x
Nah, most people on here just don't take other people's view as "the facts" and many on here have lived in the areas you describle for a long time and don't have the problems you seem to see. So your first post appears to be at the least over-reacted opinion, at worst utter tripe?
IRC Indeed Glasgow has a high murder rate, but dig a little further into that and check out who the normal targets and perps are and you'll see that the mountainbikers in parks are not exactly prime targets 🙂
end up going the same way as the Garden festival did when it closed in 1988 ie a yuppie housing site
lol
I've heard Govan described as many things but never a "yuppie housing site"
Good yin!
whats cottaging? ❓
whats cottaging
Dickie fun 😉 
whats cottaging?
Google it 😉