Root of the Year

Each year (in a naturally-abiding world) the animal grows a new tap-root into the earth. This taproot is the root that goes way down, that doesn't just suck up earth nutrition (suction being essential to the great cosmic flow) but earth-knowledge, earth-knowing, earth-con-science. Everyone should have strong sturdy taproots that deliver this knowing through the feet, into the bodymind system. This earth delivery system however, in our push for progress and technology (that works against Nature), has been compromised severely. No longer do we tap into the earth to know but pile-drive into it to build.

In order for our taproots to grow and really in-form (as Nature intended) we need to locomote. We need to galvanize the growing of this taproot. Without this 'self-movement through place' it will not grow but wither. A body that is carried and 'transferred unnaturally' does not develop roots but 'ruts'. These ruts stultify Being and prevent earth-knowledge from entering. Earth-knowledge is replaced by machine-knowledge, roots are replaced by ruts, and soon the root of the year, if we're not vigilant enough, becomes rut of the year.

At any rate, the root is the route, and this is one great route-root! I have already documented it a couple of times here and there, but I feel another one is necessary. It's that good!

The route is a circuit from Paisley Canal station via Bridge of Weir (via the Sustrans cycle path), Auchensale, and Kilbarchan. It takes roughly 90 minutes to two hours cycling at a leisurely pace. There are plenty of tangential roots that veer off this main taproot (up the Clevans Road via Barnbeth, or through Lawmarnock onto Howwood etc.) that will extend your excursion here and there and proffer some of the pastoral beauty that is hidden up here on this airy plateau between Bridge of Weir and Howwood and Kilbarchan.

Take the orange lasso from Paisley Canal station. The dotted line is the route via Lawmarnock, the other one via Barbeth and Auchensale.

Dumbreck Station (my starting point).

Ranfurly Falls. This is then ravine and water beside Ranfurly Green in Bridge of Weir. You can walk the bike up here through the woods and green up onto the Clevans Road.

From the top of the Clevans Road looking over to Lochend Farm.

The Clevans Road towards Barnbeth has to be one of the most idyllic roads I have ever cycled (and also one of the most car-free). I mean just look at it!

Barnbeth Estate and house in distance, and golf course. Note the peak of Hill of Stake on left-centre horizon.

Barnbeth House

Some of Barnbeth House's permanent residents (with Campsie Fells in background). The views from here east over Glasgow and beyond are impeccable.

The view from Barnbeth, looking east.

The nameless loch beside Barnbeth.

Passing through Auchensale Farm. Again, the views from here are vast!! If you can just hold your nose long enough....

The plateau of desolation. Cycling through this area is as peaceful as it gets. Something of a little Switzerland for its endless rolling hills.

Approaching East Barneigh
























This is the road to Burntshields and further on to Howwood. Wonderfully helter-skelterry and devoid of anyone except the wee red van of the postie.

From Law. All downhill from here. Just watch the road, it can get rather pot-holey near the left side, and it's dark further down with tree overhang.

Passing through Kilbarchan.

From atop Saucelhill just behind the train station of Paisley Canal.

From Saucelhill looking north-north-east.