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South Ayrshire is hugely popular for cycling, offering some of the best routes in the country. With stunning scenery, rural roads and traffic free trails, it’s the ideal location for families, seasoned enthusiasts and those looking to get back in the saddle! Ahead of National Bike Week (8 – 14 June), we’ve put together a few ideas for experiencing South Ayrshire cycling, whether you’re looking for a challenging climb or a gentle pedal along the prom.
Situated on the edge of Galloway Forest Park, South Carrick’s rolling hills have become known in the cycling community as ‘the Ayrshire Alps’. With quiet rural roads, stiff climbs and spectacular scenery, they’re a serious road cyclist’s paradise. Set around Dailly, Barr, Straiton and Girvan, this network of 16 graded routes plays host to major cycling events each year. Visit Ayr Burners Cycling to find out more.
Offering either low or no traffic, the National Cycle Network Route 7 (NCN7) stretches from Sunderland to Inverness. It passes through South Ayrshire from Maybole and goes over the Carrick Hills before reaching the coastline at Doonfoot, Ayr. From here it joins the Ayrshire Coast Cycle Route (see below) then heads towards Glasgow. For detailed maps see National Cycle Network routes in South West Scotland.
For families and beginner cyclists, try the 2-mile route starting at Ayr esplanade and heading to Prestwick, part of NCN7/Ayrshire Coast Cycle Route. Want to go a bit further? The route continues through the golf courses of Troon to Barassie – South Ayrshire’s end/starting point – on mainly traffic free paths. Enjoy coastal views, cafes and playparks along the way.
South Ayrshire Paths which promotes safe and scenic walking/cycling paths has some great suggestions for cycle routes starting from Ayr and Troon. The 3 Ayr routes include a perfect 11.3km beginners’ trail which passes through the amazing Alloway Railway Tunnel and Robert Burns Birthplace Museum – ideal for a coffee stop! The shortest of the 3 Troon routes is 26.2km but mainly flat, while the other two longer routes have a small/moderate climb.
Biosphere Bikes have a huge range of adult and child bikes for hire from their Seafront Hire Hub on Girvan prom, including pedal and electric bikes, quad bikes, accessible bikes, tandems, trikes and trailers! Hire by the hour or for the day. Electric Bikepost in Troon hire bikes for the day, with pedal, e-bikes and kids bikes available.
South Ayrshire Active Communities offer a cycling programme for complete beginners and experienced cyclists. Sessions include on-road and off-road cycling, mountain biking and BMX, all designed to build skills, confidence and a love for life on two wheels. They also partner with Scottish Cycling to deliver the Rock Up and Ride (RUAR) programme, giving young people the opportunity to discover the freedom and fun of cycling. For more details contact [email protected].
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