Velodrome progress

After reading about wood flooring being installed in the Velodrome, I have been digging around for progress updates on the project. These can be difficult to find, as generally the architects, contractors and clients on such high profile projects tend to keep things under wraps until construction is complete. For the 2012 Olympics, some companies are not even allowed to publicise their involvement with a stadium or arena until after the Games have finished.

2012 Olympics velodrome (Oct 2011)
Image by Alexander Kachkaev

After reading the sumptuous Architects’ Journal Building Study special about the 2012 velodrome by Hopkins Architects (above), I have been digging for information about Glasgow’s forthcoming track. I read a short piece in Scottish architecture magazine Urban Realm, which mainly covered the fire and thermal performance of the cladding of the building, which houses both the velodrome in its 2000 seat arena, as well as the National Indoor Sports Arena, a 5000 seat venue.
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Scottish Climbs: Cuilt Brae, Mugdock

Cuilt Brae is the B821, a 2 mile stretch of road from pictureque, well-heeled Strathblane to Carbeth, to the North of Glasgow.

It seems to have several names- coming out of Strathblane/Blanefield, it is signed for Stockiemuir. I have heard people refer to it both as ‘Cuilt Brae’ and ‘Stockiemuir’. The top is at Carbeth, where there is an Inn.

The Glasgow Nightingale and Ivy cycling clubs both use it for their club hill climb championships.

In the photo above, behind the idling riders you can see the road climbing up.

It has steep but steady gradient and a couple of nice hairpins, where the gradient rises to 15%.

click for larger map

Turning right at the top will take you towards Drymen Hill, another good climb that I will have to cover another time. Turning left takes you back along the Stockiemuir Road towards Glasgow, and taking another left after passing the Hilton Park Golf Club, you will find an unclassified road that is known as the “Khyber Pass”. Another short sharp climb beloved (or hated) amongst Glasgow cyclists that is also on my list to look at.

If you ride the Khyber Pass, you’ll pass Mugdock Park, which plays host to a Scottish Cyclocross series race. Back down into Strathblane, you have the option to go east to tackle the Crow Road or the Tak-Me-Doon. North of Glasgow certainly has a great deal of climbs to offer.

This climb on Google maps.
photos by Jamie Forbes Glasgow Ivy(Ivy gallery)
Glasgow Ivy CC website

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Scottish Climbs: Muur de Partick (Gardner Street)

Quick post, while I’m working on some other significant pieces. Edinburgh may be the City of the Seven Hills, but Glasgow also has a few stings in the tail for cyclists riding around the city. The town centre, between Blythswood Square to Buchanan Street has several steep little side streets that must be a killer if you’re riding one of those pedal-taxi things.

But tucked away in Partick is Gardner Street, that looks like something out of a Steve McQueen movie.


Image by David Lindsay
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