ByCycle organises and leads a series of gentle paced cycle rides, about 10 mph, mainly in Perthshire throughout the year. As far as possible they follow quiet scenic roads, cycle paths and, occasionally, tracks. All are welcome to join these FREE rides and no-one gets dropped off. All that we ask is that you have a reasonably maintained bike and that, after you have enjoyed one or two rides, you join ByCycle. (DETAILS HERE)
The Rides Group have taken over the planning and coordination of all ByCycle’s rides. Its members include Katharine Melville and Richie Neill.
They have put together a provisional schedule of Third Sunday Rides, each of which meets at 10 am for a 10:15 am start. see below. The email with the final details will come out to all members the week before the ride as usual. Please note this schedule may be subject to change during the year so, if you wish to join a particular ride, you should always check in advance.
The Rides Group is happy to receive offers to lead Third Sunday and Wednesday evening rides and suggestions for alternative routes particularly ones starting from Perth. If you would like to get involved or have any suggestions as to how we can make our rides more attractive please email Katharine or Richie. The current Wednesday Evening Ride Schedule can be found here.
Wednesday evening rides 2024 | |||
Person | Date | Start point | Route |
Gordon MacFarlane 07519512435 | 01/05/2024 | Victory Park Bridge of Earn PH2 9DY | Bridge of Earn Rhynd ride 10 miles |
Katharine Melville 07803605612 | 08/05/2024 | Loch of Lowes carpark PH8 OHH | Loch of Lowes route |
Shelagh Fulton 07766352480 | 15/05/2024 | Scone Old church PH2 6LP | Scone Off road meander (no road bikes) |
Gina O’Neill 07971664957 | 22/05/2024 | Davie Park Rattray PH107BS | TBC |
James Herd 01738629688 | 29/05/2024 | Bells Sports Centre Perth PH1 5HS | Check Luncarty diversion path |
Margaret Scott 07751025474 | 05/06/2024 | Strathmore Cycle Hub Coupar Angus PH13 9AN | CACH to Saucher and Strelitz 16miles |
Katharine Melville 07803605612 | 12/06/2024 | North Car Park Dunkeld | Ballinluig loop 18miles |
Richie Neill 07747108902 | 19/06/2024 | Kinclaven Wood Car Park PH1 4QP | OFFROAD Kinclaven to Bankfoot |
Craigie-Lee 07711598128 | 26/06/2024 | Scone Park and ride PH2 6QF | TBC |
Shelagh Fulton 07766352480 | 03/07/2024 | Scone Park and ride PH2 6QF | Cross Link Investigation |
Sarah and Alastair Walker 07876458162 | 10/07/2024 | Kinglands Village Hall Little Glenshee | Little Glen shee loop |
When? Wednesday evenings from different start points @ 18.30 on roadworthy bike. Note route description in Spond indicates if Off road sections Free. Preferred entry via Spond (Bycycle rides) |
For the benefit of Perthshire residents and visitors we have catalogued many of our favourite and popular rides in our Atlas of Rides.
DRAFT Schedule of Third Sunday Rides for 2024
The DRAFT schedule for our 2024 Third Sunday rides can be seen HERE or below. Please check back often as this schedule may change depending upon circumstances. Updates will be posted on Spond.
Members will be advised directly via email of the exact ride details about a week before it occurs.
Katharine reports on our October Third Sunday Ride
The ride was billed to be a repeat of last year’s popular route from Dunkeld to Strathardle via Pitlochry, Kirkmichael and Blairgowrie. The idea was to ride in reverse, via Pitlochry, although this would entail a steep climb up to Strathardle.
However, in view of the fact that the route is longer than our normal, and later in the year, leader Robert Gunn proposed that we change the route to a circular ride to Blair Atholl. Twelve riders set out from Dunkeld, after a couple of call-offs because of mechanical failure. When we reached the decision point at the road leading to Edradour, the group split exactly in two, with a leader for each.
The group heading for Blair Atholl made an early cafe stop at Escape Route in Pitlochry. There were loops to Blair Atholl via the footbridge at Loch Faskally and Faskally Woods. Then the route crossed the River Garry at Killicrankie and followed the west bank of the river all the way to the footbridge at Blair Atholl. Another stop for soup at the Watermill, then a buzz home via NCN7 and 77, the only other blip being the need to scramble over a landslip north of Dunkeld House hotel.
The group who chose the original Strathardle route found the initial climb quite tough, but enjoyed Strathardle, taking an alternative loop through Kindrogan Woods. There was a blip at Kirkmichael Cafe. It seems the shop shuts at 2:30, but the cafe closes at 1:30 and the assistant refused to serve even teas and coffees. The group buzzed to Blairgowrie for a welcome break at Starbucks. Perhaps we should not make a habit of splitting the group like this, but in the event it
worked out well and both groups enjoyed their day out.
Report from Katharine Melville
Gordon leads ride around Loch Leven
The Strathmore Open Studios Long Weekend
Third Sunday Ride in Kinross-shire
On ByCycle Third Sunday ride (Sunday 21st May) Gordon MacFarlane led seven other ByCycle members around a very interesting route exploring parts of Kinross-shire. Starting and ending at Loch Leven Community Centre the ride was mainly on undulating but not steep roads that took us through attractive farmlands and woodlands with sheep and deer farms. Gordon highlighted various castles and other points of interest including where villages had been moved and roads changed and we visited the spectacular gorge at Rumbling Bridge. Our lunch stop was at the Powmill Milk bar which offered a large selection of hot meals. As the weather unexpectedly deteriorated during the ride (note the low temperature of 8 degrees) with drizzle in the afternoon we curtailed our ride and did not go around Loch Leven which we shall look forward to at a later date.
Key statistics were:
Distance 30.54 miles
Average speed 9.3 mph
Total Ascent 430m
Temperature High 11.2 degrees, Low:8.0
See the ROUTE HERE
Celebrate Strathmore Open Studios in Style
To coincide withStrathmore Open Studios between 26th and 29th May, ByCycle and Cycle 4 Cake have organised carbon zero visits to the their studios. Free guided cycle rides to different Open Studios each day led by experienced local cyclists who know the roads and locations. Each ride is limited to10 riders (so please book in advance) by emailing the leader with name.
Please have a bicycle that is suitable (for road and farm tracks) and in working order. And that you are able to cycle the distance at a leisurely pace. Each rider in attendance gets a “limited edition “ postcard and a chocolate and studios may offer a cup of tea or coffee with biscuit!
The rides being offered are:
Friday the 26th from Alyth Town Square outside Cafe in The Square led by Shelagh (Shelagh.Fulton@gmail.com) of Cycle for Cake at 10.00 am. Studios visited in order of ride are 9,10,11,12,13,16,17,18,19,20,21, and 15. The length of ride is 12 miles and uses part of the cycle track between Alyth and Blairgowrie.
Saturday 27th 10.00am from Blairgowrie outside entrance to Tesco led by Tom (garthlamb@icloud.com). Studios visited in order of ride are 15,1,2,3,4,5,8,42. About 14 miles. Using cycle track for part of way from Blairgowrie to Alyth.
Sunday 28th from Coupar Angus meeting in the square at 10.00 led by Shelagh (email) of ByCycle and Gina (Cycle 4 Cakes)- Studios visited in order of ride are 26,24,27,28,29,22 and 23. About 14 miles.
Monday is a longer ride. Leaving from Alyth at 10am from Alyth Square outside Cafe in Square led by Tom of ByCycle. Studios visited in ride order are 6,7, 16,17,18,19,20,21,30,31,32,33,34,43,35,36,37,39,40,38,41. About 50 miles.
ByCycle Hosting FREE Bike Maintenance Classes
All courses are FREE and you can come to whichever you like. However, numbers for each session are limited to 8 and priority will be given to actual (and prospective) ride leaders. Each session starts at 19:00 hrs and aims to finish at 20:30 hrs. Please book each session through Event Brite.
Bike Maintenance Sessions Host: Neill McDonald, ibike Communities Officer
10 May Strathmore Hub, Coupar Angus, PH13 9DN
Session 3 will be drive train. Looking at adjusting a drivetrain, changing components, running cables, looking after a chain.
Book HERE
17 May Strathmore Hub, Coupar Angus, PH13 9DN
Session 4 will be brakes, how to adjust and change blocks, cables, bleed brakes and anything other brake related.
Book HERE
Further details from Craigie-Lee
Below is the latest schedule of Third Sunday Rides - March 2023
Date | Start Point | Destination | Distance | Mapometer and Lunch | Ride Leader |
January 15th | Bells Sport Centre Perth | Local | 20 miles | Richie | |
February 19th | Bells Sport Centre Perth | Auchterarder | 36 miles | https://www.mapometer.com/cycling/route_4439429 | Katharine |
March 19th | Market Square, Alyth | Telephone Box Challenge | 41 miles | https://www.mapometer.com/cycle/route_5301057 | Tom |
April 16th | Bells Sport Centre Perth | Lochend via Bridge of Earn | 44 miles | https://www.mapometer.com/cycling/route_5264713 Lunch at Lochend Farm Shop | Tom |
May 21st | Loch Leven Community Campus, Kinross | Circular | 40 miles (32 if missing out the Loch path) | https://www.mapometer.com/cycling/route_5413767 Lunch at Powmill | Gordon |
June 18th | Bells Sport Centre Perth | Pillars of Hercules, Falkland | 41 miles | https://www.mapometer.com/cycling/route_4612958 Lunch at Pillars of Hercules | David |
July 16th | Car park behind the doctors’ surgery Dunkeld | 40 miles | Picnic Lunch – Hybrid and MTB only | Richie/John P | |
August 20th | The Big Ride | Callander to Perth | 55 miles | https://www.mapometer.com/cycle/route_4525868 | Katharine |
September 17th | Bells Sport Centre Perth | Crieff | 45 miles | https://www.mapometer.com/cycling/route_4567343 Lunch at Crieff Visitor Centre | Hugh |
October 15th | North Car Park, Dunkeld | Strathardle circular via Blairgowrie, Kirkmichael and Pitlochry | 48 miles | Bring picnic but stop scheduled at Kirkmichael Village Shop www.mapometer.com/cycling/route 5356482 | Robert Gunn |
November 19th | Bells Sport Centre Perth | Inchture via King’s Seat | 33 miles | https://www.mapometer.com/cycle/route_4680852 Lunch at Horseshoe Café. Cash needed for purchases under £5. | Tom Lamb |
December 17th | Camperdown Park, Dundee | Dundee Circular | 25 miles | https://www.mapometer.com/cycle/route_5477196 Lunch at Discovery Point | Katharine Melville |
Wednesday Summer Rides
Each Wednesday evening through the summer months (in 2022, 25th May until 17th August) ByCycle leads short rides within Perthshire. These easy rides usually last for an hour and a half and cover 10/15 miles, many finishing with a relaxing drink at a local hostelry. They often use cycle paths and off-road tracks to complete a circular route. Climbing is low to moderate. All are welcome to come; just turn up at your chosen venue with an appropriate bike in reasonable condition. Don’t forget to bring a spare inner tube in case of a puncture.
Our schedule of rides in 2022 can be seen HERE.
Third Sunday Rides
Third Sunday Rides are mainly between 35-45 miles taken at a gentle 10 miles per hour with a bar or cafe lunch. They usually start from Bell’s Sports Centre on Perth’s North Inch at 10 am and finish there about 4 pm. The routes are advertised by email to ByCycle members usually on the Wednesday before the ride. To be included on this email list please join ByCycle or contact Mike Simm (Vice chair) on mikesimm259@gmail.com. All are welcome to join us on these rides but we would ask that you join ByCycle after you have enjoyed one or two rides.
Special Ride
Each August our third Sunday ride is a very special one. We usually hire coaches and a furniture van to transport riders and their bike to a venue that we cannot reach on our normal circular rides. Riders then make their way back to Perth on a recommended route. Dropoff venues that have been used in the past include St Andrews, Callander, Kenmore, Kinloch Rannoch and Dalwhinnie. At the end of ride there is a celebration at Bell’s Sports Centre with tea and cakes and presentation of certificates.
Or why not give yourself a treat and relive Colin Boag’s YOUTUBE account of our third ride from Kenmore in 2015.
How to Draw ByCycle Routes
ByCycle uses free MAPOMETER software to draw and share ride routes.
- Use Mapometer to draw your route. It is reasonably straightforward but if you need any help contact bycycleperth@gmail.com
Top Tip: If you make a mistake either ‘Undo’ ; else, if you have already ‘Saved’ it, go to the View’ screen click on ‘Actions’ then ‘Edit’ then ‘Edit Route’. The route will turn black and two blue paddles will appear. Drag one paddle to the start of the section to edit and the other to the end. The section you are editing should now show in black. Click the black route and a draggable box will appear. Move this to your new route. If you are happy, click ‘Commit’ then make any other changes in the same way before ‘Save’
- Save and name your route using clear geographical description e.g. Dunkeld circular via Ballinluig and Dalguise’ Add a description that will help viewers such as ‘suitable for electric bikes only’ or describe the start point in detail, give it a label, i.e. ByCycle, and allow others to see it.
- Save it then copy the URL by opening it again. This URL can be attached to emails, included in documents directly or as a link. If the route is so unique that you want to include it in our ATLAS of RIDES‘ then email the URL to bycycleperth@gmail.com
Have fun reading and riding!