The forecast overnight rain didn't
arrive. Last night's warm evening had turned to a chilly morning of
7 degC. It was very quiet as I packed up camp and the Falkirk Wheel
area hadn't opened yet. I weeled my bike down the steep path to
re-join the track on the top of the tunnel portal. Another steep
descent and I was on the track I'd climbed yesterday which descended
it to join the path underneath the canal extension by the Falkirk
Wheel. As I reached the main car park workmen were there just about
to open up.
Falkirk wheel lift & canal
It was a pleasant morning with mostly blue sky. I
crossed the footbridge of the Forth and Clyde Canal to join the
towpath to head east. The path here is tarmac and extremely easy to
ride on and there were a few dog walkers out and the occasional
cyclist. I descended several locks to arrive at the roundabout on
the A9 just north of Falkirk. I had to keep to the road for a short
way and re-join the canal. I continued east for a mile or so and
rounded a left hand bend to see the amazing art sculptures of the
Kelpies in front of me in the distance.
Over the Forth and Clyde Canal to The
Kelpies
The amazing Kelpies
I stopped on a footbridge to
admire the view and take a couple of photos. I continued on the
towpath and stopped by a picnic table to prop my bike and try and
get some better photos in the clear morning sunshine. Further on I
had to cross a narrow path over a lock gate to get to the main
Kelpies viewing area. It was still early and there was no one about
so I was able to cycle around with impunity and take photos. I
returned the way I come crossing the canal by the same lock gate and
joining a cycle track in the direction of Stenhousemuir. The track
followed the side of the river and headed to the north of the sewage
works which was giving off a fairly bad smell. Further on I went
through the woods and continued by the river to emerge at a road
where I headed north towards Stenhousemuir.
A Kelpie
Just over the bridge I
was impressed with a large frontage building and a grill where
behind were some Canon and an information board about the Carron
Works on this site. This is the kind of thing I would have missed if
passing by car. I continued to a roundabout where I turned left in
towards Stenhousemuir. I was hoping to find a town centre area but
couldn't. I joined the B9005 road then headed through a housing
estate by the cemetery to cross the A88 road and join a cycle route
that followed a minor road over the motorway.
Waterloo canon
It was very pleasant riding in the open countryside along a lane
with no hedge or wall boundaries. The lane continued and was easy
riding until I had a steady climb up to an impressive building with
a tower adjacent. It was
Plean Tower probably 15th century.
Plean tower
Industry in the countryside
The lane crossed the B9124 and continue north with excellent views
of the mountains ahead. The easy riding soon came to an end as I
descended a long road and took a left turn where the cycle track was
signposted. The route was a rough farm track to Cowie and a track
that was so overgrown I had to push my bike. In the village I was
back on the road and soon into the countryside. passing New Mills
and near the site of the Battle of Bannockburn.
This is supposed to be the cycle track
Riding along the track I was caught by a young lady on a bike
heading for Stirling. She was Caroline and was riding to her work
which was a Sterling Organisation the
promoting walking and cycling. It was
fascinating chatting to her and her company's objectives. As we got
nearer to Stirling centre our route partied and we waved our
goodbyes. I continued past the railway station area and followed the
river to the footbridge across the River Forth and on to
Cambuskenneth Abbey which I visited last month. I stopped briefly
for something to eat and then continued north to the A907.
Cambuskenneth Abbey
I turned east and for a short while had to negotiate the
traffic of the main road but at the roundabout was able to cross
over and join a cycle track towards Tullibody. Before reaching it
the track descends under a bridge to join a cycle way along the line
of the old abandoned railway. It took me past the Cambus Distillery
which I passed last month. The cycle track followed the old road
towards Alloa where I joined the main road network to the railway
station area and supermarkets where I bought water and some sachets
of coffee.
Cambus distillery
Outside Asda Alloa (not Andy Scott)
Alloa sculpture by Andy Scott
My next objective is Clackmannan but as I left alone at a
roundabout I noticed another sculpture by Andy Scott. It is on the
middle of a roundabout and being on a bike I was able to walk up to
its base and admire the construction. It is called Life Line and
represents the emergency services. Following the road out of Alloa I
came to another cycle track which was a delight to follow and took
me through some nice countryside heading towards Clackmannan. I
emerged through some park gates onto the B910 but took a short
detour to the Mary Hill roundabout and visited another Andy Scott
sculpture called ‘This Journey’s End’ which was erected in 2009.
This Journey's End
I returned to the road into Clackmannan and took a left turn
to the north east where I came to a railway bridge which was the old
Alloa Dunfermline railway. Up a steep track I joined the old railway
route which is now an excellent cycle-way and headed east. I'd
already got past my required mileage for the day but continued in
the sunshine trying to find a suitable spot to camp. The only spots
were on the left and fully exposed to the warm sun which would have
made it difficult coping with the heat in the tent. I decided to
continue to find some shade. After crossing Comrie Burn with a lot
of trees and an excellent pitch in the woods to the left. I was
surprised to find there was a good mobile signal and FM for my
radio. I decided to pitch here for the night.
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Whittle Wanderer
