Cycling to Glasgow's Commonwealth Games Venues 2026

 I cycled to all the venues of the Commonwealth Games 2026.

Check out my adventure and the routes below!

Gallovidian Gravel

 I cycled Cycling UK's new route, The Gallovidian Gravel. Check out the story of my adventure below!

Although I altered my route slightly over the 2 days here is the official route to download and share!

Titanium Bicycle

 In the words of poet Britney Spears "oops I did it again!" I went and got another bike. I bought a gravel specific bike this time and my first forray into the world of titanium frames. Check out my first ride video below to hear all about it.

Dirty Reiver 2022

So it’s been a while but its time for an update. Mid-February I won 2 entries to the Dirty Reiver from Genesis Bicycles. WOOOOHOOOO! I hadn’t intended on entering as I did this in 2019 and let’s be honest as brilliant as it is it takes a lot of motivation to enter something again you already know is brutally hard. Alas this piece of fortune gave me a chance to exercise a demon. In the 2019 edition there was a course detour which made the famous 200km only 187km so with this new entry I had the chance to do an honest Reiver.  

The First half of the Reiver before food stop 2 is definitely the hardest as far as terrain goes. The first 100km have the roughest sections, steepest climbs (with the forest drive decent the best ) and the coldest part of the day. After the first stop though, where I had a chance to take off the morning leg warmers, change the base layer for something cooler and fuel up I got into my stride. I never feel great in the first 40k but it gives you a chance to watch all the first timers burn their matches too early knowing you’ll either pass them later or never see them as they ditch the day for the 65km or 130m options. The second half is not as hard geographically (unless of course you count the remoteness) but it is as hard by virtue of having to be done with 100km already in your legs. It was a bit tough going this year as 30 miles were into a headwind and the bit of tarmac and tailwind that took us hardy 200 riders into the Stonehaugh final pit stop were very welcome. One companion that was with us all day was the sunshine, which does create dusty trails (and faces) but is always more welcome than any form of precipitation and that sunshine stayed with me all the way back to the finish line at Kielder Castle and KM 200! An honest Reiver! Last time I did this event I thought “once is enough!” but even after 10 hours of gravel on this day and aches and pains everywhere I was already thinking about next time, although maybe it’s my turn to cut of for the 130! Anyway check out the pics and flick below as I get ready for part 2 of my 2 week challenge: The Fred Whitton 2 weeks later.

 

CX Is Back

Finally some racing has returned to the winter cx calendar. So pleased to get back racing and although it was the B-Race I was pleased with a performance that saw me take 16th place in slippery snowy conditions. Havent posted enough of late with work being very busy but hopefully over the festive period I can summarise my year and hopefully report of more great annual miles. In the meantime here's some pics of my race at Rouken Glen park in a snowy Glasgow.

Highland Adventure

Got away for a couple of nights up north of Scotland. Here is a wee travelogue of the cycle I managed.

Giant Bicycle Collection

 

Giant TCR Advanced 1 Year Review

Giant contend AR1 6 month review

Team KMC Kendal Mint Co Products

A quick look at the products I use as a TEAM KMC ATHLETE. You can check them out yourself by visiting kendalmint  and remember to add thelonebiker10 at checkout for a discount!

The Benefit of Pilates for Cyclists

 

Kendal Mint Co. Team KMC

 

I am pleased to officially announce that I have been chosen to be an athlete for Kendal Mint Co.’s TEAM KMC. I am really pleased to have been chosen to help represent this company especially as their products I already use and have done for some time. Not only is it a an honour to be chosen it is a great year for our partnership. 2021 marks the 20th Anniversary of my spinal surgery and I aim to honour this by, as always taking part in exciting, new and diverse challenges. kendalmint.co.uk are promoting athletes of all levels to challenge themselves with a #myeverest challenge, honouring the first ever climb of said mountain which was fuelled by the famous mint cake. Whatever your Everest may be, go for it and check out others too by visiting the website and following them and myself on social media. Asa Team KMC athlete I also get a 10% discount which you can use. 

 Just follow the link HERE then add thelonebiker10 at checkout for the discount!

Keep following and remember to keep climbing your own #myeverest !

Wahoo Kickr Core Review

 I bought a new wahoo Kickr Core. Check out the video below for a review on my experiences so far

2020 Statistics

 So 2020 came to an end and I ended up doing my biggest mileage in a calendar year to date and included finally managing the Rapha Festive 500 (thanks to zwift and the purchase of a Wahoo Kickr, which i will review soon) so here is the stats in gif form!

New Giant Contend AR 1 2021

So on an impulse I bought another Giant. Check out the full details at the link below and in my initial video review.

Giant Contend AR 1 2021

 

Summer became Autumn became Winter

200km Day 

 So July became August and then Autumn came along with plenty of miles under the belt. Alas they didn't as I was hoping include miles of smiles in Mallorca with covid claiming my holiday as another casualty and although much cycling was done in July the weather was wet and left a lot to be desired at times. However there were many opportunities to continue riding my new Giant TCR and getting in one or two cracking rides. I managed another 200km day on a fine hot day which was epic to say the least. I wanted to find the Paisely end of the cycle track that heads past Loch Winnoch. I made my way there via, Strathaven and East Kilbride, Pollok and then into Paisley itself where I quickly spotted the Blue sign directing me onto the track. It was pleasant and easy to follow with only one diversion on to the road and back half a mile later (where the police were investigating a murder!) before it joined with the section I was most familiar with. After continuing to Kilbirnie I made the decision to take a moor road to Largs which I have done in another direction before, before heading south down the coast and heading back across the Fairlie Moor road. I highly recommend this tough climb from Hunterston as you are rewarded with stunning views of the firth of Clyde and a long descent back to Dalry. I made my way through Kilwinning to Irvine then along the coast Barassie for a much needed refuel at my parents house. I then took the cycle track along to Prestwick airport before heading home via, Tarbolton, Mauchline and Dungavel. This was a spectacular day out owing to the weather, lack of wind and the distance but also because I never felt like the tank was empty. Especially good as I am considering an attempt at the NC500 next summer so to be able to pump out 200km and have something left feels good. This route could be shortened slightly to include a surprisingly large amount of cycle track. There can be a bit of snobbiness about using track from some cycling corners but on a big day when youre not pushing particularly fast they can be a relaxing experience, especially of in a group of 2 or 3.

 

Galloway Hills 

 I also completed my now annual loop through Galloway to Newton Stewart and back from Dalmellington. This route is always spectacular with climbs of Largs Hill, Tairlaw, the road to Glentrool and the Queensway but also remarkably car free for a such a scenic route. I did it anti clockwise this year and the only complaint I would have is the small road I take from Glentrool to Newton Stewart down the left side of the river wasn’t in as great nick as its been before but it was another great day on the bike. Covid was still making it trickier to refuel as the Forestry Commission cafes at Glentrool and Clatteringshaws remained closed but Newton Stewart has a garage that I regularly use to fill the water bottles and I continued to rely on gels for longer rides this year with the café options close to zero. The road has been resurfaced on the long descent back into Dalmellington so the final 10 miles were a joy and just after Casphairn I also beat an electric cyclist up the climb!

   

 Autumn Smiles 

 My October holidays usually see the last rides of the “good” bike before it goes away for the winter and avoids the dreaded salty grit. With a good weather window of sunshine and little wind I decided to try for a (possibly) last century ride of the year. I headed to Dalmellington first (via an alternate route to normal owing to road closures) then across to Straiton. I had bailed at an attempt to cycle to Girvan in the summer as I came across a road resurfacing in operation so returned to test out the new road and try it out. As it headed to the coast it was mostly downhill and with the exception of a stop to rescue a stunned blue tit on the road I sailed there with ease. On the outskirts of Girvan I then headed along the A77. Although the coastal views are nice this is a busy section of road and wasn’t the most pleasant so I was pleased to see the turn off for Turnberry which took me off the main road and past President Trumps other Whitehouse. I followed the coastal route through all the coastal towns before turning for home at Irvine and finishing the day as the sun was setting on both the day and on a good 6 months of riding on the new bike.