Stunning Scottish route nears completion

Cyclists could be enjoying a spectacular new touring route from Oban to Inverness as soon as 2015 – and construction is now underway on one of the crucial ‘missing links’.

Dubbed the Caledonia Way, the new route (National Cycle Network route 78) is set to become the most popular cycle challenge in Scotland. For the really dedicated cyclist, there’ll be 228 miles of route altogether, from Campbeltown (on the Kintyre Peninsula) to Oban and on to Inverness. 

Since 2007, Sustrans has been working on a cycle path between Oban and Ballachulish, 32 miles along Loch Linnhe which are currently dominated by the busy A828. Now, construction teams have moved in on the crucial Kentallan–Lagnaha stretch (pictured), connecting two existing sections of cycle route. Part of the new path follows an old railway trackbed, while the rest crosses the hillside with spectacular views over the loch. When this is complete, only a couple of short stretches further south will remain to be finished.

Quiet lanes, ferry crossings, and the Caledonian Canal towpath will complete the route up to Inverness via Fort William. In the long term, Sustrans is hoping that Transport Scotland will extend the traffic-free path from Ballachulish on to Fort William beside the A82 trunk road, which it runs. For now, cyclists are encouraged to use the ferry to cross onto the quiet road on the western side of the loch.

The Oban–Ballachulish route will also improve the ‘Road to the Isles’ for cyclists, making it easier to cycle to Skye – though 19 miles of busy road remain along the A830.

As well as being a cycling challenge in itself, the new route will be useful for Land’s End to John O’Groats cyclists, and for local residents and holidaymakers in the area.

Check out the currently open sections of route from Oban to Fort William on our map and journey-planner.

Cycling is the new golf - literally

The oft-heard remark that “cycling is the new golf” has never been truer than on a new cycle path between Alva and Tillicoultry, Clackmannanshire – because the route passes through land owned by Tillicoultry Golf Club.

Funded by Sustrans Scotland, the 2.5m-wide shared use path links the Devon Way cycle route with Alva Academy. It forms part of National Cycle Network route 768, under the Ochil Hills, one of an increasingly dense number of routes in the Alloa area. Scottish Transport Minister Keith Brown called it “a fantastic exemplar project which helps to meet the demand for cycling and walking infrastructure”.

Is there a “masculine” way to ride a bike?

A fascinating article from US website The Atlantic Cities asks how masculine cycling is – and readers’ responses aren’t what you might expect. “It means suits, scarves, and a cadence that allows me to enjoy the ride,” says one. Can bike lane design play a part? “In the US, the bike lanes tend to assume single-file riding; in Europe, it’s more about supporting social riding by having space to ride side by side.” Worth a read.

Dutch cycling culture festival

If you need an excuse to see how the Netherlands do cycling, FietsFest could be it. This inaugural festival of Dutch cycling culture takes place on May 24th in Rotterdam, with a fascinating line-up of bikes, films, and speakers – “a one-day cultural festival where the bike is celebrated in word, image and sound”.

Tweed Run - “the original technical fabric”

The Telegraph has a profile of the Tweed Run, the old-school London cycling event that takes place this Saturday. Organiser Ben Young-Ing sells the virtues of tweed as a cycling garment: “I don’t like to think about the Tweed Run as a vintage ride. Tweed is the original technical fabric. It’s lightweight and breathable and thorn-proof and warm and weatherproof. It’s the anti-lycra.”