Aborted Ardrossan

On my bike rides I seem to be jinxed recently particularly on this stretch of the unswept Sustrans cycle path. I had travelled around 1500 miles on my road bike since I bought it without a puncture. Now two punctures in two weeks. From now on the road bike will remain true to its name and only travel on roads. Far less potential puncture debris.
It was a lovely blue sky morning as I headed to my destination of Ardrossan to tick off another War Memorial. Initially I did stick to my road bike plan and travel via roads. 

Western Gailes and Arran beyond

I was rewarded early on with this rewarding view over to Arran and Western Gailes golf course, an early morning eye fest.
Into Irvine and the view to the railway viaduct showed the River Irvine water levels extremely low. Any early running salmon will be heading back out to the estuary to hang about, too dangerous here.

Train viaduct over River Irvine

Approaching Kilwinning I really had to come onto the cycle track to get to the quieter roads. I suspect my tyre was spiked around this area but did not deflate for a few miles beyond.
This is an area where you have to take care, sadly the 3 Towns district is one of high poverty and where drug taking is rife. I was reflecting just before the puncture that I could not remember passing more huge dogs when on a bike ride. Thankfully, all apart from one were on leads but there were some ferocious looking beasts.
I was stopped at the Ardeer railway crossing for ages waiting for the barriers to lift and frustrated I decided to head back and cut inland behind the caravan park, was that my mistake? Just before the golf course the bike felt odd and a look down my rear tyre running flat, the noise gave it away as well, only 3 miles from Ardrossan. Annoying as I was in good condition, the bike was running well, it was a good ride spoiled.

Nearly home looking south over Western Gailes

There were quite a few local worthies stoating around so I did not want to change the tyre in this location on my own, it would take too long and bring unwanted visitations, not just Covid avoidance. Maybe a case of guys with big doggies 'give us your bike'!!
From recent experience I knew this bike can ride on its flat tyre so I did just that and headed home a lot slower.
Time for a shower and a new tube to be inserted, still awaiting my ordered puncture repair kit, at least the weather was good.

Ride route: Barassie-Irvine-Stevenston.
Ride distance: 24.54ml
Ascent: 471ft
Bike: Cube: Focus Road Bike
Total Covid19 ride distance:429.19

Ride route: Barassie-Prestwick.
Ride distance: 15.99ml
Ascent: 279ft
Bike: Cube MTB
Total Covid19 ride distance:445.28

Ride route: Barassie-Corraith-Red Bridge.
Ride distance: 21.09ml
Ascent: 575ft
Bike: Cube MTB
Total Covid19 ride distance:466.37

Ride route: Barassie-Prestwick Bay.
Ride distance: 21.8ml
Ascent: 381ft
Bike: Cube MTB
Total Covid19 ride distance:488.17

Ride route: Troon Circuit.
Ride distance: 10.96ml
Ascent: 200ft
Bike: Cube MTB

Total Covid19 ride distance:499.13

Gatehead Circular plus other ride data

Today I rode another route that used to be a Sunday morning regular until the walking took over.

Arran far away in the distance but lovely colours

At this time of year it is a lovely route meandering through the Ayrshire countryside and farmland with all its farming aromas, obviously not lost that sense just yet.

Laigh Milton Viaduct history here

After Gatehead you get a good view of the Laigh Milton railway Viaduct, I suspect that will be closed off. Officially closed in 1846. It is believed to be the world's oldest surviving viaduct on a public railway, not bad history that.

River Irvine running very low

The water at the dam is really low, at times it can be a raging torrent as the River Irvine runs down and turns the corner. Thought I might see some trout rising but nope.

Sustrans cycle path blocked

On the way back the local officials are even trying to block the cycle path. Luckily I could squeeze past the side but with a few bramble scratches, I thought cycling was allowed?
An excellent outing.

Ride route: Cycle path Barassie-Gatehead-Dreghorn-Shewalton.
Ride distance: 18.83ml
Ascent: 423ft
Bike:Cube MTB 
Total Covid19 ride distance:290.59

Today 13th April I headed to Dreghorn to add the War Memorial to my collection. Blue skies but definitely colder. Sadly more names than expected on this memorial. Continued on much the same Gatehead circuit as above.

Dreghorn War Memorial

Ride route: Cycle path Barassie-Gatehead-Dreghorn-Shewalton.
Ride distance: 18.33ml
Ascent: 450ft
Bike:Cube MTB 
Total Covid19 ride distance:308.92

Another straightforward ride to Prestwick this time to collect another War Memorial. A lot of police vehicles around today but not stopped!!

Prestwick War Memorial

Ride route: Cycle path Barassie-Prestwick-Fullarton woods.
Ride distance: 19.92ml
Ascent: 345ft
Bike:Cube MTB 
Total Covid19 ride distance:328.84


Return trip to Ayr to recover War Memorial data.
Ride route: Cycle path Barassie-Prestwick-Ayr.
Ride distance: 25.27ml
Ascent: 410ft
Bike:Focus Road Bike
Total Covid19 ride distance:354.11

Return trip to Symington & Dundonald to recover War Memorial data.
Ride route: Cycle path Barassie-Monkton-Symington-Dundonald-Shewalton.
Ride distance: 21.55ml
Ascent: 531ft
Bike: Focus Road Bike
Total Covid19 ride distance:375.66

Return trip: Irvine War Memorial.
Ride route: Cycle path Barassie-Shewalton-Irvine.
Ride distance: 18.35ml
Ascent: 272ft
Bike: Cube MTB
Total Covid19 ride distance:394.01


Return trip: Troon.
Ride route: Circuit Troon.
Ride distance: 10.64ml
Ascent: 171ft
Bike: Cube MTB

Total Covid19 ride distance:404.65

A Remembrance ride in more ways than one.....Barassie-Doonfoot

Today's objective was the War Memorial at Ayr. A straightforward ride along the cycle path via to Troon. On road to avoid punctures to rejoin the Sustrans route to Prestwick. Along the promenade, busy today, and then the back track to Newton on Ayr. Noticed all supermarkets that I passed today had the longest queues that I have seen since isolation began.

Ayr War Memorial

Ayr town very quiet then the War memorial. Not unexpectedly this memorial  has one of the longest list of war dead since I have been recording these. Even a German looking name among the WW1 listings, wonder what his story was?
I thought that the memorial itself was rather plain, need to read up about it.

Ayr promenade all the traffic has been banned

As I was here I cycled along the Ayr beach front to the bridge over the Doon. Another poignant remembrance as both my parents have their ashes scattered in the river here, one of their favourite spots. 

Ashes tribute

A few reflective moments with my tranquility broken by the gulping sound of trout rising to feed, a lovely sound.
Returned the same way but with a detour to Troon promenade, not as busy as the other day but the sky was duller and that was certainly a cooling breeze. Time for my shower.


Ride route: Cycle path Barassie-Prestwick-Ayr-Doonfoot.
Ride distance: 28.08ml
Ascent: 426ft
Bike:Cube MTB 
Total Covid19 ride distance:271.76

All's well that ends well......Kilwinning

As I was setting the bike up the clouds darkened so I looked at the weather apps on my phone. BBC app said 52% chance of rain over the next hour and Met Office said 5%! I was ready so set off heading to Kilwinning, the trip I had to abort last week due to my puncture. It was MTB time as I needed to ride some rougher tracks to get my distance and these tyres more resistant to punctures, famous last words.

Was it alive or dead?

Anyone who uses the cycle track at Shewalton woods will be familiar with the Shire horses. I was concerned that three of the horses were standing guard over a fourth which was lying on the ground. From here I could see no sign of breathing and feared the worst, sadly I moved on.
Down to Irvine Bay where the tide was coming in fast pushed in by the strong winds. These same winds made it difficult cycling at times but thankfully my cycling legs and stamina are getting back to where they should be.

Tide rushing in at Irvine harbour

Headed to Kilwinning, thankfully not puncturing this time and headed to the War Memorial to get some snaps. 

Kilwinning War Memorial and 'Tommy'

Firstly I was very taken by the hedge formed into a soldier, not seen anything like that on my travels.
Secondly, for a relatively small town the number of dead carved into the memorial for both wars is staggeringly high. I daresay reflective of the mining communities and the relative poverty in the area.

River Garnock running dry

On the way back I passed this marker at the Garnock wetlands. I recently mentioned this to a friend who knows a lot about the area's history but was unaware that a shaft had collapsed and the River Garnock ran dry, need to send it to him.
Finally I went back to the horses and was so pleased that the one lying on the ground was now on it's feet, a happy ending.
First sighting of Gannets for the year.

Ride route: Cycle path Barassie-Shewalton-Irvine harbour-Kilwinning.
Ride distance: 24.49ml
Ascent: 351ft
Bike:Cube Mountain Bike
Total Covid19 ride distance:212.19

First Covid19 Thirty up....building bricks in place.

Today I decided to do a section of one of my internal routes which would build on the stamina but also put in a bit more ascent to test my cycling progress.
Headed out to Monkton then up past the old HMS Gannet barracks, sad how it is quite dilapidated now. Above me a military transporter plane is doing circuit and bumps at Prestwick airport.

Still planes flying

The gradient up and past Monkton House and then the fishing reservoir is deceptive and tougher than it looks on the eye, blowing a bit but the gearing is good. it is a lovely view from up here, Ayrshire farmland and tranquility, is there a worldwide problem out there?
The next downhill was fast and a real buzz which maxed out at 36.01mph, still a good bit away from my record but hey the Adrenalin was flowing and that high speed turn at the bottom, wow, a test of bike handling which I just mastered, glad nothing was coming the other way.

Long quiet roads

Next another deceptive gradient but I felt good on the bike before turning and heading back to the A77 flyover near Corraith, road very quiet. In saying that the country roads had a lot of farming/maintenance works going on, all is not dead out here.

Black & White lamb

Passed a farm with a some largish black and white lambs, no idea what they are but pretty.
Inland I rode a variety of roads, turning wherever the notion took me, before heading to Drybridge and back via Shewalton. The owner of the Shire horses was attending them so if you read yesterdays blog all is still well and good.
Instead of cutting home I cycled up to Loans, very much a headwind, then home via Troon promenade. The other day there were two people, today in the sun I was not counting from the bike but a lot of people, not groups just pairs or individuals. Later I read they had shut the car parks at lunchtime, too many people not self isolating, it is so tough. Hopefully they don't ban cycling.

Prawn boats all tied up

Overall that was my longest bike ride of Covid19 and probably the best as apart from my fatigue, due to age, I felt pretty good and the blue skies certainly helped. 
There are still steeper gradients to be tackled over the next few weeks but so far so good.

Ride route: Cycle path Barassie-Monkton-Tarbolton cut off-Dundonald-Drybridge-Troon Harbour.
Ride distance: 31.49ml
Ascent: 912ft
Bike:Focus Road Bike
Total Covid19 ride distance:243.68

A lighter shade of grey for today's outing

After my unsuccessful efforts to repair the punctured inner tube I was delighted that my internet order arrived yesterday. Only 2 days, well done Baldwins Cycles.
So today the road bike was back out. I decided to largely reverse yesterday's route as it meant steeper gradients, a further test of my cycling fitness.
From home I headed up to Dundonald via the Kilmarnock Road. In normal traffic not a road for nervous cyclists but today only a few cars.
I headed along the Drybridge road before turning onto a cross country route taking me back to the village of Dundonald. Still smelling the farmyard aromas and enjoyed looking at some rare breed sheep with one goat as their pal.
Bike rolling well as I approached the hill at the riding school. Out of the saddle but got to the top without stopping. It has been a while since I have looked down over the handlebars like this, focused solely on that piece of tarmac down below, willing the gradient to ease. No biggie but it was a wee tester which I passed, pat on the back. Bigger ones ahead over the next few weeks.

Symington War Memorial

The gradient continued upwards to Symington where again I stopped and added to my War Memorial collection.
Heading south on the A77 I went onto the footpath praying that the debris would not puncture but got away with it. Where does all the broken glass come from in the middle of nowhere? Noticeable how different the gradient is as today's max speed was only 21.39mph. Yesterday I almost hit 30mph on the MTB!
Into Monkton and rode alongside the deserted Prestwick airport to the terminal before turning back onto the cycle path to Troon.

Troon beach 11am 2 people

At Troon beach you would think that this was 6am not 11am, practically nobody around, not even beach dog walkers, that's the effect of Covid19, scaring a lot of people.
Back using the cycle path alongside the North shore to home.
There is no doubt that the cycling gives me the endorphin buzz that only running used to. It's a good feeling, long may it continue.

Ride route: Cycle path Barassie-Dundonald-Symington-Monkton-Airport-Troon.
Ride distance:21.86
Ascent: 538ft
Bike:Focus Road Bike
Total Covid19 ride distance:187.70

A grey day but hey lets get out

The skies were leaden grey this morning but I had woken up, yip that meant still alive. Felt good so no virus, lets get cycling.
The choice of bike was a no brainer as i was unable to repair the road bike puncture. My man skills in any sort of do it repair or DIY are non existent. In this case I outwardly blame the very old puncture repair patches for not sticking but inwardly it was probably me so on the internet and ordered a new inner, will it arrive?

So the MTB and I headed along the Sustrans cycle path to Troon. I did not really have an objective in mind other than wanting to head inland at some point for a change.
I initially rode to Monkton where I had a few options then took the easy route and headed up the gradually ascending side of route 77, height being gained!! Surprised at how much traffic was still on this road heading to Glasgow.
When I reached the new Symington flyover I turned briefly into the pleasant village but a sharp right kept me going towards the Tarbolton turn off. Higher up so good views over Ayrshire.
From here a fast downhill to Dundonald where I clocked just under 30mph, not bad on the MTB. My sister in law lost her sense of smell and taste, one of the virus symptoms, but not me today, that farmers slurry on the fields was certainly not perfume, phew.
At Dundonald I stopped and added to my War Memorials portfolio, these will be the subject of separate blog later in the year.

A straight run along to Drybridge before picking up the cycle track and homeward bound.
Pleased to be able to get the exercise.

Ride route: Cycle path Barassie-Monkton-Symington-Dundonald-Drybridge.
Ride distance:18.95
Bike:Cube Mountain Bike

Total Covid19 ride distance:165.84

That flat turned out to be no April Fool today.

Just to keep myself amused during these bleak times I have decided to write up my local bike rides, mainly for myself to look back on re distances and routes etc but if you stumble across it enjoy.
Since I have been unable to get on the hills or the gym i needed some extra effort to keep the pounds from increasing my already pear shaped tummy. Running on the spot in front of the telly just does not do it for me. Thankfully we are still allowed to cycle so that was my ideal choice.
I have been out on a few rides over the last two weeks, shorter distances to try and get the soft backside that bit harder. Progress slow but surely a slightly painful exercise but every ride counts.
Still progress being made as all rides now are at least 15 milers. Aiming for regular 20 milers then maybe a bit more.
Today I decided to follow the Sustrans cycle track to Kilwinning. I hummed and hawed about which bike to use and decided to give the road bike its first outing of the year.

I avoided the Shewalton woods detour in case of punctures so instead headed alongside the pavement section at Western Gailes golf course. There were a lot of small branches and pieces of bramble bushes.
I went down to the Coastguard point at Irvine harbour and took in the view, a few people walking dogs on the beach but very quiet. Still Arran looked great as always.
As I crossed the foot bridge over the River Irvine an old couple came passed and made a derogatory comment in my hearing about cyclists being out, interesting.
The cycle path to Bogside golf course was again frequently littered with branches etc constant weaving but at least very few dogs around to impede me.
As I approached the Irvine refuse dump the track was under repair so I walked the bike over it. Back on the road the noise was excessive and although it is a bad surface I knew this was not right. Stopped and of course front tyre punctured.
Then it sunk in, I had changed bikes but not added the small rear pack containing my repair kit!! What a numpty.
Options considered, telephone wife but she is still self isolating even though she has no symptoms, nope not the best option. Walk back? Whilst I do it regularly not pushing a bike, nope. Take a chance and ride a soft tyre, go for it.
I did manage to cycle all the way home. I discovered that the tyre was good up to 8mph then the wheel started to slalom. It was noisy but there were few people around and any I passed did not really notice.
Obviously took the shortest way back, avoided sharp turns but pleased I got home as quickly.
On my slow journey back I reflected that this was April Fools Day, only fool around was me. Still I got some exercise but when was the last time I changed a puncture? Time to find out if I still knew how.

Ride route: Cycle path Barassie-Irvine-Bogside.
Ride distance:16.77
Bike:Focus Road Bike
Total Covid19 ride distance:146.89