There are not too many decent climbs around Central Scotland, but this route combines two – going up the Crow Road through the Campsie Fells, and then down the ‘Tak ma doon road’ from Carron Valley to Kilsyth. You might need some cake at the ready to read this.
The loop starts and finishes in Kirkintilloch but really you can start /stop anywhere along the Campsie Fells. A good option for non locals is in Clachan of Campsie parking up at the bike shop and heading out from there, or if you fancy saving your legs you can get a train from Queen Street in Glasgow out to Lenzie and start there. This route is split into three sections.
Kirkintilloch - Fintry
Love a bit of diversity and the first section can be split in two – the rolling countryside leading up to the foot of the crow road and the crow road itself. Heading out of Kirky first leg is across to Lennoxtown. You can do this via a few different similar routes but straight there missing out Milton of Campsie provides some nice rolling landscapes and avoids small town traffic. Hitting Lennoxtown and turning west along the foothills of the Campsies this is your last chance to grab some supplies for the ride ahead (there’s a bike shop at Clachan of Campsie to just in the glen under the crow road car park). You turn right onto the crow road at the west end of Lennoxtown and meander through the outskirts of the town up to Campsie Golf Club which really marks start of the Crow road climb.
Heading past the golf club this is where I’ve made the same mistake time and time again – going to fast through the initial ramps. Prior to the car park half way up the climb this I think is the steepest part, combined with it being tree lined and at the bottom I always have to fight the urge to whack down wayyyyyyy too much power and regretting it when it opens out into a steady climb. Make it through this bit without 500 watts and all your matches intact the road opens out and you head along the side of the Campsie fells westwards at a reasonable incline heading towards the gap where Campsie Glen pokes a hole through the ridge of hills. This bit is great – lots of views, the road is relatively straight and you can really feel yourself going up !
Before you know it (or if you’ve gone the 500 watt route – AGESSSS later) the route starts to cut round the right, you pass a nice viewing bench on the left and spot the entrance to the crow road car park. Now being a local I’ve spent years as a kid / young adult frequenting the Campsie Glen under the car park – you might not know this but there’s three waterfalls down there, Jame’s Linn, Lady’s Linn and Darling Linn and during the summer there’s nothing better than swimming in the various pools up the Glen, jumping off a few of the Linns and relaxing with a can of irn bru and some golden wonder. Anyway, from the crow road car park things take a turn for the worse, it get steeper as the road goes up the top of the glen along the side of the stream. You pass by Jamie Wright’s well (don’t drink it!!) and when you get to the point where the road crosses the stream you’re at the top and can breath a sigh of relief.
There after there’s a winding section over the top of the Campsies with a significant improvement in the tarmac as you cross into Stirlingshire !! Yey! One thing to watch out for is a tight bridge about 3-4k past the top of the climb where cars tend to take over most of the available road coming in the other direction. Soon enough you’re starting the descent down into Fintry, all very much fun and the only point to note is a tight left hander near the bottom – you don’t want to run wide into oncoming traffic. As you approach Fintry you want to take a right following the signs for Denny onto the B818.
Fintry to CarronBridge
This section is the ‘flat bit’ but really it’s more like a steady ish incline from Fintry to Carronbridge through undulating nothingness. The first half skirts along the Endrick water which you went over on the lovely hump back bridge as you turned onto this road. There’s a few steepish ramps and the tarmac along this section can be a bit iffy so don’t go mad. About 5-6k along here you’ll start heading up a nasty little climb, near the top you might notice a lay by to the left and then another on the right just along with a random gate and a path heading off. If you fancy a break this not a bad place to stop as about 100m along the path you’ll find the ‘Loup of Fintry’ – a 94ft waterfall that’s particularly nice after some rainfall.
Not long after you’ll notice some man made changes to the scenery with the beginning of the Carron Valley Reservoir. This bit has been tarmaced properly and if you’re wanting some speed this is where to do it !! Any fans of the Global Triathlon Network should notice some great drone footage of one of the presenters riding along the shores of the Carron Valley reservoir on their video of the European Championships last year. Just past the reservoir on the right you’ll notice the Carron Valley mountain bike centre – think Glentress but lots smaller. You can if you’re brave enough more or less reach the top of the Campsie hills and get down the other side off road here so there’s plenty of exploring if you’re into the mud.
CarronBridge to Kirkintilloch
Turn right at the Carronbridge hotel onto a single track road and you’re on the tak ma doon road !! Well, the top of it anyway. Initially the road winds it’s way up via a few steepish ramps but nothing too bad – you’re already high enough. There’s a bit of fun along this stretch in the form of a cobbled ford at the bottom of a small hill – how fast are you willing to go through it ?! Get to the top and there’s a wonderful viewpoint with various benches to have a seat on – you can see over to the forth road bridge on a clear day so if you wish to stop any where on the way back then this is the best point.
Then starts the big descent to Kilsyth !! A braver person rides up the tak ma doon road, but not this route today !! there’s 3-4-5 steep sections that whip off to the left or right at the bottom so be careful, it’s a single track road so beware of cars coming up the way !! In no time you’ll be at the bottom passing by the golf course on the right and the Colzium park on the left. There’s a cafe in here if you’re desperate for the loo / a drink. Post this point the descent will even out and you’ll pop out back into civilization on the A803 stirling road. If you ever fancy going up it I’ve included the KOM segment for it below. Good luck with that !!
So you’ve been spat out the bottom of the Tak Ma Doon road in one piece, not long until the cake appears over the horizon, on this road home it’s a flattish ride back towards Kirkintilloch. Much less exciting than the hills but a chance to do some spinning of the legs before you finish.
For those heading back to Campsie Glen and the bike shop there’s a right turn after leaving Kilsyth that takes you along through Milton of Campsie, Lennoxtown, past the Crow Road turn off to the bottom of the Glen.
Goan Goan Goan – you know you want to try it !
