Clyde Tunnel

Bob
I used it last year. It was graffitti covered and smeeled of
sewage. I would be reluctant to use it in late evenings esp weekends.
For circular routes I prefer using the ferry from Yoker to Renfrew
.. From the Renfrew side into Glasgow options with fairly light traffic
are either left at Renfrew town centre and past the Braehead shopping
centre, or straight down into Paisley town centre and then back to
Glasgow along Paisley Road. The M8 takes all the through traffic
leaving light traffic from Paisley to about Cardonald. Normally the
Bells bridge is the option I would use to get back to the north of the
Clyde.
Iain

Bob Downie <BobMail@downie-geo#n0spam#.co.uk>typed

Quoted message said:

Hi Folks

Quoted message said:

Has anyone here much experience of the Clyde Tunnel Cycle route in
Glasgow? I was through it once in convoy and my main impression was of
"killing ground". I don't think I've ever cycled in a more forbidding
place.

Quoted message said:

I am thinking of new cycle routes and going through the tunnel would
give me a nice circuit.

Quoted message said:

Where my initial impressions erroneous? Is it in fact a lovely route to
cycle? If anyone can lay my unease to rest I would be grateful.

Quoted message said:

Thanks

I lived in Glasgow from 1989-91 and used the Clyde Tunnel a few times
then. I was scared 5h1Tless every time I used it, but never had any
trouble.

People told me I shouldn't use it and regaled me of tales of 'chain
gangs' who lay in wait, ready to attack cyclists in the depths.

--
Helen D. Vecht: [email hidden]
Edgware.

Quoted message said:

Bob
I used it last year. It was graffitti covered and smeeled of
sewage. I would be reluctant to use it in late evenings esp weekends.
For circular routes I prefer using the ferry from Yoker to Renfrew

Haven't used it in years, but I agree on the Renfrew Ferry.
As I recall there is a decent enough pub on the north side, where you may
console yourself if you miss a trip across, or five.
I briefly cycled to work in Hillingdon using the ferry, and was once late
because a warship was going down river from Yarrows.
I can remember going across in the car as a child.

Hi,

At the risk of tempting fate, I've used the cycle tunnels (like the car
'tunnel', there are actually two, one going in each direction) at least
once a month for the past five years, much more so in summer. I've
only once had a problem, when some passing wag had placed bricks just
after the bottom of the southbound tunnel, requiring a high speed
swerve which could very easily have been a high speed crash. And
there's always a bit of a puddle at the very lowest point.

I'd avoid it between around 8 and midnight, when the chances are that
there will be ned kids with bottles of buckfast and oh so funny 'chat'
lurking around the entrances, but apart from that, no problem - I've
cycled through many times with my kids on the back, and I wouldn't
expose them to any unnecessary risk. Might be a bit of a stiff climb on
a fixie, though, if that's what you're planning; a fast run down the
down side is great, but the climb back up is a bit of a grind (albeit
comparatively short). Grafitti gives you something to read on the way,
though - even if it's not as good as it was before the respray around
2002.

Cheers,

DG

In message <[email hidden]>, heed
<[email hidden]> writes

Quoted message said:

Might be a bit of a stiff climb on
a fixie, though, if that's what you're planning; a fast run down the
down side is great, but the climb back up is a bit of a grind (albeit
comparatively short).

Here, how did you know I have a fixie? I don't remember mentioning it to
anyone :-).

On the other hand, thanks for your impression on the tunnel. I also
appreciate the replies from Ian and Helen but as a frequent user, I
think your impressions are possibly more indicative of what its actually
like to use, rather than what it feels like to use.

On the other-other hand, the Renfrew Ferry is a really nice route, one
I've used a few times in the past. Does anyone know, have they completed
the cycle path from the ferry to Paisley centre yet?

Cheers

Bob
--
Bob Downie
Downie GeoScience Ltd.
please remove #n0spam# to reply directly

You started the 'Finally fixed' thread a couple of weeks back, did you
not? Nice bike.

Seriously, I would recommend the tunnel, it's an experience, and you
always come out of it with a sense of achievement. And relief. As
Seneca says, he who fears death will never do anything worthy of a
living man, or something like that. Take the usual precautions, and
bear in mind the oft-used Mark Twain quote. You'll be fine.

Can't help you on the Paisley run front, I'm afraid. Braehead's as far
as I usually go on two wheels in that direction. One for this summer,
maybe.

Cheers,

DG

Bob Downie' BobMail@downie-geo#n0spam#.co.uk said:

Hi Folks

Has anyone here much experience of the Clyde Tunnel Cycle route in
Glasgow? I was through it once in convoy and my main impression was of
"killing ground". I don't think I've ever cycled in a more forbidding
place.

I am thinking of new cycle routes and going through the tunnel would
give me a nice circuit.

Where my initial impressions erroneous? Is it in fact a lovely route
to cycle? If anyone can lay my unease to rest I would be grateful.

I note from a diagram that it appears to have a separate cycle path *under* the
main carriageway. Is this a "mandatory" cycle path or can cyclists legally use
the normal road bit of the tunnel?

In message <[email hidden]>, heed
<[email hidden]> writes

Quoted message said:

You started the 'Finally fixed' thread a couple of weeks back, did you
not?

I was just kidding.

Quoted message said:

Nice bike.

Ta very much.

<Snipped bits>

Quoted message said:

You'll be fine.

Given the nature of some of the things I have to do as work, why I
should worry about the Tunnel is a mystery. As you say, I'll be fine. If
not, I'll let you all know.

Cheers

Bob
--
Bob Downie
Downie GeoScience Ltd.
please remove #n0spam# to reply directly

"Adrian Boliston" <[email hidden]>typed

Quoted message said:

"Bob Downie" <BobMail@downie-geo#n0spam#.co.uk> wrote:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Hi Folks

Has anyone here much experience of the Clyde Tunnel Cycle route in
Glasgow? I was through it once in convoy and my main impression was of
"killing ground". I don't think I've ever cycled in a more forbidding
place.

I am thinking of new cycle routes and going through the tunnel would
give me a nice circuit.

Where my initial impressions erroneous? Is it in fact a lovely route
to cycle? If anyone can lay my unease to rest I would be grateful.

Quoted message said:

I note from a diagram that it appears to have a separate cycle path
*under* the
main carriageway. Is this a "mandatory" cycle path or can cyclists
legally use
the normal road bit of the tunnel?

Cyclists are barred from the main tunnel IIRC.

The bike path is separate from the footpath.

CCTV monitors the main carriageway but did not monitor the bike path
when I lived in Glasgow.

How would you suggest attending a course at the Southern General
Hospital whilst resident at Gatnavel??

--
Helen D. Vecht: [email hidden]
Edgware.

I was just kidding.
Ah - sorry. Irony receptors don't function on a Monday.

How would you suggest attending a course at the Southern General
Hospital whilst resident at Gatnavel??
- Tunnel, definitely. That's virtually as the crow flies, I doubt
you'd take more than 20 minutes at the very most each way to do that
journey.

If you're not wanting to go underwater, next best alternative is the
Bell's Bridge, which crosses the Clyde near the SECC. Or there's a
new, and largely pointless, pedestian / cycle bridge about 200 yards
downriver near the Science Centre. Good news is that it's relatively
light traffic with long stretches of cyclepath / walkway; bad news is
that taking this route will at least double the journey time. Depends
if you're in a hurry or not.

Cheers,

DG

"Bob Downie" <BobMail@downie-geo#n0spam#.co.uk> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

On the other-other hand, the Renfrew Ferry is a really nice route, one
I've used a few times in the past. Does anyone know, have they completed
the cycle path from the ferry to Paisley centre yet?

Not particularly a cycle path but:

On leaving the ferry (£1 each way nowadays) either
continue straight on into the centre of Renfrew, then turn right at the
roundabout onto Inchinnan Rd. There is no cycle path, but signs have been
erected indicating it's a cycle route.
or
turn right at the Braehead lights, over the hill, first left and then right
onto a path which runs alongside the Clyde and Cart rivers (one of my
favourite places for birdwatching).

Either way brings you to the old swing bridge. Cross the bridge, left at the
traffic lights and after about 150 yards the footpath on the opposite side
(along the side of the airport) is shared use, and to be avoided if the
hedges have been trimmed. From the end of the this there is road with
signposted cycle lanes into the middle of Paisley.

--
Duncan Gray

The Mountaineering Council of Scotland
www.mountaineering-scotland.org.uk

looks pretty scary to me...
http://www.andypreece.co.uk/cycling/fac_clydetunnel.php

<nipped>

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

You'll be fine.

Given the nature of some of the things I have to do as work, why I should
worry about the Tunnel is a mystery. As you say, I'll be fine. If not,
I'll let you all know.

In message <[email hidden]>, Duncan Gray
<[email hidden]> writes

Quoted message said:

"Bob Downie" <BobMail@downie-geo#n0spam#.co.uk> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

On the other-other hand, the Renfrew Ferry is a really nice route, one
I've used a few times in the past. Does anyone know, have they completed
the cycle path from the ferry to Paisley centre yet?

Not particularly a cycle path but:

On leaving the ferry (£1 each way nowadays) either
continue straight on into the centre of Renfrew, then turn right at the
roundabout onto Inchinnan Rd. There is no cycle path, but signs have been
erected indicating it's a cycle route.
or
turn right at the Braehead lights, over the hill, first left and then right
onto a path which runs alongside the Clyde and Cart rivers (one of my
favourite places for birdwatching).

Either way brings you to the old swing bridge. Cross the bridge, left at the
traffic lights and after about 150 yards the footpath on the opposite side
(along the side of the airport) is shared use, and to be avoided if the
hedges have been trimmed. From the end of the this there is road with
signposted cycle lanes into the middle of Paisley.

Thanks

Shame that there is no decent cycle path serving the south side of the
ferry but, I'll give the road route a go.

Cheers

Bob
--
Bob Downie
Downie GeoScience Ltd.
please remove #n0spam# to reply directly

Okay, okay, it's not straight from the book of top grade cycling
facilities. It's a tunnel between Govan, historic home of razor gangs,
and Partick, historic home of Billy Connolly. What do you expect,
hanging baskets?

It IS a wee bit scary, that's the point. But it's functional and a
good experience.

If you want real scary, I'm sure the older one -
http://www.hiddenglasgow.com/rotundas/index.htm - must be worse.

DG

Bob Downie said:

Hi Folks

Has anyone here much experience of the Clyde Tunnel Cycle route in
Glasgow? I was through it once in convoy and my main impression was of
"killing ground". I don't think I've ever cycled in a more forbidding
place.

I am thinking of new cycle routes and going through the tunnel would
give me a nice circuit.

Where my initial impressions erroneous? Is it in fact a lovely route to
cycle? If anyone can lay my unease to rest I would be grateful.

Thanks

Bob

Hi Bob,

I cycle through it twice a day during the week at about 8am and 5pm and
I must admit I haven't had any problems. Yes there is graffiti and I do
sometimes see some neds at the Partick end, but I've never had any
bother. The most bother I had was when I came across 4 police officers
walking through the tunnel on the cycle lane! Oh and there was the time
that the lights were all out on the north bound tunnel. I decided to
cycle (carefully!) north through the southbound tunnel as my lights
weren't quite up to the job!!

What times do you expect to be cycling through it? I would probably
avoid it late at night but during the day there are usually others
passing through so the neds don't cause any bother.

One problem I've had is punctures (on the northbound tunnel for some
reason). There can be a fair amount of glass on the cycle path so it's
worth keeping an eye out for that and having puncture proof tyres.

I actually like the tunnel as you can go fast on the way down (yes I
probably do go too fast) and it gives you a good workout on the way up!

Cheers

Dave

Bob Downie said:

Hi Folks

Has anyone here much experience of the Clyde Tunnel Cycle route in
Glasgow? I was through it once in convoy and my main impression was of
"killing ground". I don't think I've ever cycled in a more forbidding
place.

I am thinking of new cycle routes and going through the tunnel would
give me a nice circuit.

Where my initial impressions erroneous? Is it in fact a lovely route to
cycle? If anyone can lay my unease to rest I would be grateful.

Thanks

Bob

Hi Bob,

I cycle through it twice a day during the week at about 8am and 5pm and
I must admit I haven't had any problems. Yes there is graffiti and I do
sometimes see some neds at the Partick end, but I've never had any
bother. The most bother I had was when I came across 4 police officers
walking through the tunnel on the cycle lane! Oh and there was the time
that the lights were all out on the north bound tunnel. I decided to
cycle (carefully!) north through the southbound tunnel as my lights
weren't quite up to the job!!

What times do you expect to be cycling through it? I would probably
avoid it late at night but during the day there are usually others
passing through so the neds don't cause any bother.

One problem I've had is punctures (on the northbound tunnel for some
reason). There can be a fair amount of glass on the cycle path so it's
worth keeping an eye out for that and having puncture proof tyres.

I actually like the tunnel as you can go fast on the way down (yes I
probably do go too fast) and it gives you a good workout on the way up!

Cheers

Dave

Bob Downie said:

Hi Folks

Has anyone here much experience of the Clyde Tunnel Cycle route in
Glasgow? I was through it once in convoy and my main impression was of
"killing ground". I don't think I've ever cycled in a more forbidding
place.

I am thinking of new cycle routes and going through the tunnel would
give me a nice circuit.

Where my initial impressions erroneous? Is it in fact a lovely route to
cycle? If anyone can lay my unease to rest I would be grateful.

Hi Bob,

I cycle through it twice a day during the week at about 8am and 5pm and
I must admit I haven't had any problems. Yes there is graffiti and I do
sometimes see some neds at the Partick end, but I've never had any
bother. The most bother I had was when I came across 4 police officers
walking through the tunnel on the cycle lane! Oh and there was the time
that the lights were all out on the north bound tunnel. I decided to
cycle (carefully!) north through the southbound tunnel as my lights
weren't quite up to the job!!

What times do you expect to be cycling through it? I would probably
avoid it late at night but during the day there are usually others
passing through so the neds don't cause any bother.

One problem I've had is punctures (on the northbound tunnel for some
reason). There can be a fair amount of glass on the cycle path so it's
worth keeping an eye out for that and having puncture proof tyres.

I actually like the tunnel as you can go fast on the way down (yes I
probably do go too fast) and it gives you a good workout on the way up!

Cheers

Dave

Helen Deborah Vecht said:

How would you suggest attending a course at the Southern General
Hospital whilst resident at Gatnavel??

--

Helen,

I cycle to the Southern General from the north most days during the
week. I have seen a number of women walking and cycling through the
tunnel, although it might be worth avoiding it whan it's dark. However,
if you want an alternative route you could go across the Bells Bridge
which is further east towards Glasgow. It would add a few miles to the
journey but would avoid the tunnel.

Cheers

Dave

heed said:

Okay, okay, it's not straight from the book of top grade cycling
facilities. It's a tunnel between Govan, historic home of razor gangs,
and Partick, historic home of Billy Connolly.

Hence his introduction of the wonderful term "Partick Roulette" into
the language.

--
Dave...