Gravelfoyle ParkRide
Location: Aberfoyle, Stirlingshire - Free to park in Aberfoyle Riverside Car Park
When?
The last Sunday of the month, 10am
What is ParkRide?
ParkRide ran as a successful pilot project over the summer of 2024 and we are delighted to continue it once a month throughout the year. ParkRide is aimed at getting more people riding bikes on car free gravel trails amongst nature in our National Park. Participants can choose to do a 10km or 20km loop, following our Gravelfoyle way-markers. We will also include a ‘sweeper’ rider who will ride behind the last rider. If you are nervous about mechanicals or punctures, our sweeper will support you and ensure you get back to base safely. ParkRide is free to participate in.
Who can participate?
Park Ride is for anyone! As long as you have a bike suitable for off-road and a helmet, you can get involved. If you are very new to riding, we recommend that you try the 10km to begin with. As you gain confidence, you can step up to try the 20km route. If you have children who you are confident can complete the distance, they can ride with you. You can also ride with a trailer or a childrens ‘shotgun’ set-up.
*Please note we will run at minimum numbers over the winter season (Oct - March) and will have to cancel if there are not sufficient sign-ups.
Bairns On Bikes
Concurrent with ParkRide we will be running Bairns on Bikes sessions (in the spring and summer season only). Parents can drop their children off to participate in organised coaching whilst they participate in Park Ride and collect once finished. Bairns on Bikes will be for ages 5 - 12 and run by qualified coaches from Bike Trossachs and Dirt Divas. The coaching ratio will be 1 coach to every 8 children. The benefits are that families can participate and engage with cycling and the outdoors at the same time. We remove the childcare barrier whilst promoting good habits and life long skill development from an early age, all the while creating an aspirational element for children and normalising exercise and outdoors. We really want to get new riders and family riders engaged in off-road cycling.
How do I register?
Registration is manditory. You can do so via the button below.
When you arrive in Aberfoyle, we will have a registration tent for you to sign on where we will will give you a number board. To get there, ride out of the carpark with the co-op on your right, turn left over the bridge and you will see our Gravelfoyle tent in the field to your left. Once you’ve signed on, you can follow the signs to the start area.
Is it timed?
Yes. ParkRide is not competitive but we think it will be nice for you to see how your time changes if you attend regularly. We will publish the results but do so against your number board rather than your name.
We are delighted to continue this popular project thanks to 1% for the Planet funding from Metta.
The 6 week free trail project was made possible thanks to funding successfully acquired from the Stirling Council Community Grants Scheme