Whitelee Windfarm Evening Cycle
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Whitelee Windfarm was opened in 2009 and consists of 140 turbines with a total output capacity of 322 megawatts. Situated just 15km outside Glasgow, It is a popular eco-tourist venue with a visitor centre, shop and cafe on site and access to 90km network of paths and trails open to walkers and cyclists.
Starting in East Kilbride we will head SW along a B-road to the conservation village of Eaglesham, before taking a minor road to reach the windfarm via Eaglesham moor. The windfarm has an extensive network of well surfaced tracks that are suitable for cycling and we will explore some of these by following a circuit around the Lochgoin Reservoir.
Total distance will be around 20 miles (32 km).
What to bring
Bike: the ride is generally suitable for any type of bike - hybrids probably best as some of it will be off-road
Helmet: OutdoorLads requires you to wear one
Clothing: lightweight and layered, shorts are great even in rain as they allow free movement of your legs. Avoid jeans, which are uncomfortable when wet, and baggy tracksuit bottoms, which can snag in the chain. Colourful and/or reflective clothing will make you more visible to other road users
Footwear: grippy soles if your bike has standard pedals
Gloves: cycle gloves help avoid blisters, and are good in the cold
Punctures: spare inner tube, bike tyre pump and tyre levers
Tools: any special tools that your bike needs
Small snacks: such as chocolate or energy bars
Plenty of water: in bottle/s on your bike or in a daysack/bladder
Medicines: if you have hay fever, diabetes, minor ailments etc.
Eye protection: avoid getting grit or insects in your eyes, sunglasses are OK if they are not made of glass and not too shaded
Sun cream: take care, even on overcast days
Bike lights: be seen and safe
Storage: small day-sack or a bag on your bike
Mobile Phone: keep it in a waterproof bag for use in emergencies
Food & drink
The cafe and visitor centre are not open in the evenings, so there will be no opportunity for a food stop en route. You should aim to have something to eat before the ride and bring some snacks and drinks with you to have during the ride.