Carron Valley by train

smack148
smack148 Posts: 37
edited September 2012 in Routes
can anyone say if it's easy to get to Carron Valley by train. Is it easier to come from Stirling or Croy?

Comments

  • neil_sheehan2000
    neil_sheehan2000 Posts: 529
    Hmmm... tough one. From Stirling you have to ride about a mile further (about 9 miles), but if you go from Croy you'd have to go up Tak-Ma-Doon Road, which is hellishly steep in places and takes me aaaaages. I've done this on the road bike, and whilst it's an enjoyable challenge, I wasn't feeling up for riding round Carron Valley afterwards. Saying that, I did still have to ride back to Glasgow... and the ride back down Tak-Ma-Doon Road is awesome.

    I've never ridden there from Stirling, but I think it must be easier, and quicker. From Croy could be fun though. Might be worth checking each route profile on mapmyride.com.
    Meta
  • neil_sheehan2000
    neil_sheehan2000 Posts: 529
    Actually, I was so curious about this that I checked it out myself on mapmyride.

    Stirling train station to Carron Valley:
    Total distance= 9.2 miles
    Total climbing= 719 feet, over about the first 6 miles. The last 3 miles look fairly flat

    Croy train station to Carron Valley:
    Total Distance= 8.2 miles
    Total climbing= 899 feet
    The first 2 and a bit miles are flat-to-slight-downhill, then there's the uphill bit of Tak-Ma-Doon Road which climbs for about 3 miles (5.4% average gradient), then after that it's down hill for about a mile and a half then it pretty much levels out after that.

    So it's a steady grind or a short, sharp shock.
    Meta
  • smack148
    smack148 Posts: 37
    thanks for reply. decisions decisions. Think I'll go for short sharp shock, although it looks like a killer. It'll be a good incentive to get up early - that way I can take it easy with plenty of stops. strangely I dislike climbs on the road, even on my roadie, but I don't mind them off road, so I'll be okay when I get to Carron Valley to start climbing again, in theory.
    wasn't aware of mapmyride so a bonus. great wee website, will definitely lead to new cycle routes.
    thanks again
  • Hawmaw
    Hawmaw Posts: 124
    I have to ask if it's worth the bother.
    Once at Carron Valley it takes less than an hour to go around the trails and it get's a bit monotanous going around a few times. You could always go for a climb up Meikle Bin. I understand it's rideable but I've never done it.
  • steve_muzzy
    steve_muzzy Posts: 259
    to rais a thread here, I was at CV last night, first time in ages doign a shakedown opf the new bike - the trails have greatly been improved, severla of hte bad corners are now bermed and we had a lot of fun, nothing tehcncial to worry about still but lots of bumps, rocks, drops and berms, great place to take a fast long travel hardtail and work on your cornering technique, we killed 2 hours and only left as it was getting dark..
  • jimh_123
    jimh_123 Posts: 66
    It go to CV quite a bit. Get the train to Croy then cycle up tak me doon. I'm not very fit but the climb is not too bad, some nice views. It takes me about an hour and 15mins to get to the trail head (few stops for rest) and an hour coming back. The way back is well woth it, get can get good speed going down tak me doon, even has opportunity to get air, although not a good idea when cars are about. But the more you do it the easier it gets, good training. Last year worked up to riding up it without stopping and got there under an hour really help with the fitness.

Categories