New cycling routes launched in Scotland

Five new cycling routes have been mapped by Sustrans Scotland to capitalise on the legacy of the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships.

Two of the new routes are in the Scottish Borders, one in Dumfries & Galloway, one in Glasgow and another in Stirling. All of these locations played a huge role in the world’s biggest cycling event that took place over 11 days across Scotland in August.

Glentress Forest in the Tweed Valley was venue hosts for the Mountain Bike Cross-Country and Cross-Country Marathon championships, while Dumfries hosted para-cycling events. Both locations helped shine a spotlight on the region as a key destination for cycling enthusiasts and to visitors from around the world.

Glasgow, UCI Bike City, hosted eight of the 13 championship events, including indoor cycling, BMX and road races.

While the city of Stirling and surrounding countryside played host to the time trials.

Now, Scotland’s national tourism organisation, VisitScotland, has teamed up with Sustrans Scotland to add the new cycling legacy routes to its cycling routes map of Scotland, which generated more than 250,000 page views last year.

The Glenkiln route from The Crichton in Dumfries is a gentle loop through the Dumfries & Galloway countryside, that starts from The Crichton Memorial Church.

Glentress Nature Route is a 15-mile figure-of-eight route that takes in the forest and the picturesque surroundings of Peebles, while the 19-mile Tweed Valley Loop starts in Innerleithen and ambles through the scenic Tweed Valley and alongside the River Tweed.

The Stirling Heritage Loop is a challenging 25-mile route that meanders through the university campus before climbing to Sheriffmuir for iconic views of The Wallace Monument, Stirling Castle and beyond.

The Glasgow Art Trail is a ten-mile route that starts from Queen Street Station and takes in many of the city’s public artworks, such as the Clutha Bar murals, the Commonwealth Games 2014 sculpture and The Wonder Wall.

The map now includes eight long distance route suggestions and 66 day trip options.

VisitScotland’s website offers cycling content to inspire potential visitors, including routes and itineraries.

The website’s general cycling page received over 230,000 annual views on average between 2019 and 2020.

Cosmo Blake, Principal Network Development Manager, Engagement for Sustrans Scotland, said: “We are thrilled to introduce these exciting new day trips, offering people the chance to enjoy great days out across Scotland.
“The Championships set out to inspire more people to experience cycling across the country, encourage active travel and reduce carbon emissions.

“By leaving our cars at home more often, we can reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality in our neighbourhoods, and promote healthier spaces where we can all thrive.”

Trudy Lindblade, Chief Executive Officer, 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships said: “We are delighted with the announcement of these new day-trip cycle routes for Scotland. These routes form part of the event’s ‘inspired by’ legacy programme demonstrating the power of the bike.

“The creation of the routes provides more options for locals and visitors to get on their bikes and experience the freedom it brings, reduce their impact on the environment and demonstrates that Scotland is made for cycling.”