It's a great wee route this, plenty of map-checking, plenty of navigational acumen required. Not only do you get a good cardio workout, through the physical act of cycling, but you get a good workout for your brain too, notably the entorhinal cortex, the hippocampus and the areas that deal with finding your way.... Sadly, in today's over-technologized world, the hippocampus is shrinking in the average westernized brain. The consequences are devastating not only for the human but for the race at large, and by extension, the whole planet. The real technology (techne + logos) is a matter of the bodymind's discourse with its environment, and this can only take place through the use of one's own locomotive power, whether mental or physical. Relying on machines or devices to do it for us is simply unhealthy, and a reflection of how atrophied our brains have become. It's one of the reasons why I cycle like this. To strengthen the bodymind. To clear it of its clutter. To develop an intimate relationship with the matricial land.
At any rate, bring a map! You will need it. There are a couple of busy roads to deal with too, but there are also a couple of wonderfully peaceful roads with great views northwards to the Campsie Fells.
The town of Airdrie. It's taken me 46 years to finally get here, but better late than never.... Just carry on north on the main road towards Glenmavis....
The level crossing at Glenboig Farm. It's the only level crossing I have encountered in my cycles around Glasgow... The line here is from Motherwell to Cumbernauld, a line that used to be freight only, but which now carries passengers.
Having just passed the un-seeable Bedlay Castle (too many tall trees and walls) we enter Chryston, a beautiful little village, spoiled again by too many cars and too many busy roads surrounding it.
Coming down from Chryston towards the Strathkelvin path...
Coffee by the Luggie Water... on the Strathkelvin Path. Here, we join the quiet road westwards towards Auchinloch.
The Campsie Fells in the background with its highest point the Meikle Bin just obhscured by the signpost.
Auchinloch...
The beautifully peaceful Langmuirhead Road after Auchinloch. You can just see the high-rises of Springburn in the distance.
Springburn.... Such a beautiful name too.... It's all downhill from here.
Say no more.... Sighthill Youth Centre. Serene and scenic are not the words I would use for the cycle through this north part of Glasgow... Eyeopening, yes, but hardly scenic...
Five more minutes downhill from Sighthill..... George Square devoid of its redness....
The crazy city-goers (or is that 'locusts') marching and munching their way through the Merchant city. Just watch out for the helper monkeys in their high-viz jaikets who like to empower their disenfranchised selves by telling you to get aff your bike. Just tell them to get on theirs!
And that's us! All in all, a good few hours of slow wild cycling, opening up a part of the greater Glasgow body that has always remained apart from the whole. To be sure, the patch between Coatbridge and Cumbernauld has suffered a lot of infrastructure by way of motorways and main roads which kinda destroys any bucolic aspect that other parts of the Glasgow strath has. The east is the least apppealing part of Glasgow because of this, but nevertheless, has some very interesting scenes to ponder when you can manage to get out of that motorway earshot.
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