Part of Cycling UK's Big Bike Revival
People wishing to get back on their bikes and explore the local area can sign up for a free guided bike ride on Tuesday 3 October 2017, 10am – 1pm with the Clyde and Avon Valley Landscape Partnership.
Scheduled as part of Cycling UK’s Big Bike Revival, the free guided ride is the first of many anticipated through a new project, Make Your Way 2 Chatelherault, developed with Heritage Lottery Fund and LEADER supported Clyde and Avon Valley Landscape Partnership and Paths For All.
The ride will leave from Larkhall Train Station car park at 10am, with qualified cycle ride leaders guiding you at a leisurely pace along an enticing trail from town to country passing spectacular new views recently opened up in Chatelherault Country Park.
The route will use off road trails most of the way with short sections of national cycle network and quiet country road. Taking in new views over the Avon Gorge opened up through woodland restoration works at Chatelherault, the tour will finish up for refreshments at the park's café, with the option for people to return to Larkhall via Chatelherault train station or back along National Cycle Route 74.
The ride is achievable for people of moderate fitness and will cover a distance of approximately 9.8 miles return to Larkhall, which can be shortened using the train.
Kirsten Robb, CAVLP Development Officer and co-leader of the ride said, “We are really looking forward to taking people through the gorgeous scenery on Hamilton and Larkhall’s doorstep. The ride will be a great chance for people to get back on their bikes and meet other people in a nice relaxed atmosphere with lots of stops to get our breath back, whilst admiring the views and sharing stories about the Avon Gorge. This will be the first of more guided rides as part of the Make Your Way 2 Chatelherault project which will also include lots of volunteering and training opportunities from cycle ride leader and walk leader training to bike maintenance and work with artists and schools to develop new signage and interpretation.”
Cycling UK’s Big Bike Revival, a national campaign in Scotland designed to encourage thousands of people to cycle for everyday journeys, is supporting a programme of led cycle rides this October as part of celebrating the Big Bike Revival project.
Shona Morris, Big Bike Revival project manager said, “It’s been a wonderful spring and summer of cycling with the Big Bike Revival, and we are delighted to celebrate the successes of the project with led cycle rides across Scotland in October. There are a wide range of autumnal rides and activities on offer, from family-friendly jaunts of five miles, to e-bike taster days, to challenging routes with hills and distance.
“Groups in local communities across the country are keen to welcome newcomers, so I recommend you pop onto the Cycling UK website to see what’s coming up over the next few weeks and get out for a cycle. We hope there is something for every kind of cyclist with the Big Bike Revival’s led ride programme.”
The event is free but booking is essential at www.cavlp.eventbrite.co.uk.
Come with a roadworthy bike, having checked it over beforehand by a bike shop or yourselves. Here's a handy guide to check over your bike: https://www.sustrans.org.uk/what-you-can-do/cycling/your-bike/bicycle-maintenance-made-easy/m-check-your-bike-11-steps
Please dress for the weather and bring refreshments for the journey. Under 13s should be accompanied by an adult, under 18s will be asked to complete a consent form before going on the ride. More details will be issued on booking. Please share the event at http://www.clydeandavonvalley.org/events/item/larkhall-town-to-country-social-ride.
