Biking the John Muir Way: Section 2, Balloch to Strathblane

The John Muir Way is a new long distance footpath running through the central belt from Helensburgh on the west coast through to Dunbar, Muir's birthplace, in the east. What I like about this route, as opposed to other long distance trails, is that it's very accessible for a huge percentage of the population and should hopefully encourage more people to get outdoors and appreciate nature as a result. I've decided to cycle the route in stages, as it's all negotiable on two wheels.

For section 2, I started out just around the corner from Mcdonalds in Balloch, in a steady drizzle, hopeful of drier weather as the day wore on - the forecast said so anyway. This point was where I left off last time after section one from Helensburgh to Balloch. From here the route runs through the Loch Lomond Shores shopping centre (ouch!) and skirts the side of the loch through Balloch country park, where it heads steeply uphill to bypass the front of the castle.

Heading up the side of the loch into Balloch Country Park

It's well signposted, with wee John Muir Way stickers, markers and way posts at regular intervals along the route. The only danger is if you're travelling too fast on two wheels and lose concentration, which I did a couple of times. But for the most part you're following National Cycle Network's Route 7 on back roads, and wending your way toward the throbbing metropolis that is Croftamie,  a one-horse town, where the horse just died! Still, a charming wee spot to stop for a banana and an isotonic boost.

JM Wayposts in Balloch

Show me the way to Croftamie

Not long after Croftamie I was faced with a narrow steel bridge over Endrick Water. At first glance I was all for just battering across it on the bike, but on second thoughts I dismounted and walked over. Well, you never know if a bridge is safe unless you've tested it first, and that's much easier to do on foot. Anyway, it was solid enough, if still a wee bit unnerving, and I resolved to go for broke on the way home.

Hairy Bridge

The route continues along Route 7 until around Gartness (shortly after which I zoomed past the bit where the route joins the West Highland Way - my excuse is that an inconsiderate motorist had parked in front of the gate and sign!!!) and then it's 'Gate City' on the WHW for what seems like ages. It was also really busy with walkers heading north for their eventual destination of Fort William and I was thankful for my bell, especially on the return leg as I was approaching people from the rear - at least some kind souls held the occasional gate open for me.

There's a really rough, steep section on the route, somewhere near Arlehaven and some standing stones (although I had my head down and didn't see the stones - even on the home leg - there were enough stones on the track to negotiate, and this required some concentration) and there were a couple of points where, I have to admit, I got off and walked - luckily enough no one was around to witness this act of cowardice and I made short work of the downhill sections, with a couple of close shaves here and there thrown in for good measure. I hang my head in shame after watching Neko Mulally's 2014 World Championships chain-less downhill ride in Norway - check it out on Youtube.

Looking towards Dumgoyne, Campsies

Thereafter, it was a rather wet and bedraggled soul who hurtled doon the Cuilt Brae into Strathblane, with the rain still steadily falling and not much shelter in sight. On arriving at the A81, I did momentarily consider the comforts of a local hotel for lunch, but settled instead for a nice bus shelter, as I needed a quick turnaround and time was of the essence. Ah well, at least I'd had the foresight to pack a spare base layer and a nice wee Montane Pertex windproof top.

                                      

Time to start the return journey and head for home, with dry clothing and the rain abating - happy days! The only issue with this route is that it's linear, with not many opportunities to loop back to your start point, if you're doing it in individual sections. I suppose it's meant to be undertaken linearly anyway, as one long 134 mile route, so no point moaning about it Stewarty boy - geronwithit! The return journey took somewhat longer than the outward leg, owing to a pair of aching legs and a less than comfy bike seat, and I meandered my way slowly back through Croftamie and headed again for Balloch.

A few miles the other side of Croftamie, I was joined by a fellow cyclist heading for Dumbarton and decided that a wee blether would be just what the doctor ordered, seeing as how my legs seemed to be made of lead at this point. My new biking buddy goes by the name of Leah, and we struck up a great conversation on the way into Balloch. Cycling can be such a sociable pastime and there's always plenty to talk about and I was grateful for some company on the home strait.

Leah