 The Nationwide Rollerski Directory - see bottom of page |
 |
|
|
||||||||||||
Locations for rollerskiing and in-line
skating practice
The Nationwide Rollerski Directory - see bottom of page |
|
Seaside Rollerskiing at Hunterston, Ayrshire
The ideal rollerskiing venue has a smooth
surface, is free of vehicles, pedestrians and dogs, and is wide enough to allow two skiers
to skate side-by-side. It is suitable for all three types of training - distance,
technique and strength. Distance training needs somewhere long enough to allow you to ski
for two hours without getting bored, hilly enough to keep you working, and with good
run-outs to allow safe descents. Strength training requires a variety of hills of
different gradients. Technique training needs somewhere smooth and quiet where you can
concentrate without being distracted.
A good in-line skating venue needs to be wide, smooth, long and not too hilly.
Unsurprisingly, nowhere in the UK meets all of these requirements, although a couple of venues, both in England, come close. The purpose of this guide is to direct skiers to some of the best areas we have found.
Updated: May 2003
| Venue | Access | Description | Marks out of 5 | |||
| surface | distance | tech/str | in-line | |||
| Bellahouston Park, Glasgow | Lay-by in Mosspark Boulevard 500m west of
Dumbreck Rd. OS map 64, NS549633 |
Fairly quiet as Glasgow parks go. Popular with dogs though. Has a variety of different gradients so good for technique sessions. There is a variety of possible loops though none is ideal for distance training - either too short or too flat. | 3 | 2/3 | 4 | 1/2 |
| Pollok Park, Glasgow | Burrell Collection car park. OS map 64, NS556621 |
Quite well surfaced and the best place in the Glasgow area for distance training. The full 3.85km loop requires use of a narrow public footpath in Haggs Road. Becomes busy after 9.30am, except on Tuesdays. | 3/4 | 4 | 3 | 2/3 |
| Loch Katrine, Perthshire | Stronachlachar Pier OS map 56, NN403102
Trossachs Pier OS map 57, NN495072 |
21km of water board road, closed to public vehicles. Apart from first 3km from Trossachs Pier, surface has a rough central ridge and is only suitable for classic skiing. Some long and steep hills. | 2 | 4/5 | 3 | 1 |
| Strathclyde Loch, Hamilton | Bothwellhaugh Sports Pavilion OS map 64, NS716583 |
1-mile straight alongside loch is good for in-line skating but can be busy. Too flat for rollerskis. Other paths have traffic speed bumps or are too narrow. | 4 | 1/2 | 2/ | 4 |
| Seamill/Ardrossan cycle way | A78 car parks OS map 63, NS212454 |
5km scenic coastal route. Is exposed and can be windy. Flat. Well suited to in-line skates and fast (ie race)rollerskis. A few car park entrances and half-barriers to negotiate in northern half; no need to stop. | 5 | 2 | 2 | 4/5 |
| Hunterston, Ayrshire | Construction yard (closed) access road.
A78 roundabout. OS sheet 63, NS200521 |
2km traffic-free road in scenic coastal area. Sea breezes can make up for shortage of hills. | 3/4 | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| Cramond Esplanade, Edinburgh | Silverknowes car park OS map 66, NT203769 |
Straight, flat and 10m wide. Very smooth in bits but look out for occasional loose gravel. Another exposed seaside route. | 3/5 | 2/3 | 3 | 4/5 |
| Sheriffmuir Road, Ochils | Meadowpark Pub OS map 57, NS801968 |
"Interesting" rollering on single-track road with lots of up and down, some very steep. Sheriffmuir pub conveniently sited. | 3 | 2 | 3 | 1 |
| Brisbane Glen, N. of Largs, North Ayrshire | Largs-Loch Thom road |
Mixture of excellent surface with rougher sections. Fairly quiet. Good venue for hill interval sessions. | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| NCR74, Abington - Douglas | B7076, 3km N of A70 |
Exposed cycle path. Quiet. Variable surface. See Venue Profile R1 | 2 | 3.5 | 3 | 1 |
| Lowther Hill access road | Wanlockhead |
Recently resurfaced. Lower slopes have a variety of gradients, then it becomes a seriously hard slog to the top | 3.5 | 2.5 | 3 | 1 |
| Want more? Get a copy of The Nationwide Rollerski Directory, which lists rollerskiing locations in Scotland, England and Wales, including some of those above. Compiled by Roger Bunyan, Yorkshire Dales Cross Country Ski club, it is available direct from him. See details opposite. |  |
Send a cheque for £3.00, made payable to "Yorkshire
Dales Cross Country Ski Club", to: Roger Bunyan, 141 Crown Lane, Horwich, Bolton, BL6 7QW |
| Back to top of page | ||
| © Western Track Ski Club 1999-2009 | Back To Home Page | Email webmaster |