Adventure of the Week: Houston Road - Barnsford Road - Greenock Road

‘Adventure of the Week’ is a series of blog entries from Veloworld capturing some of our favourite cycle routes.

This week I’ll take you along with me on a micro adventure through the rural back roads of Paisley.

If you have a favourite route you’d like to share - we’d love to hear from you! Fill out the form at the end of the post for a chance to be featured in the next Adventure of the Week.

Getting out the city

The cycle starts at the University of the West of Scotland’s student union, across from the "'Buddie” mural. A cheerful artwork completed by local artist Caroline Gormley with Alexander Guy at Storie Street. The mural encourages us to ‘Spread your wings’ and that exactly what we’ll be doing on this ride!

After leaving Storie Street, we join the National Cycle Network Route 7 until we get to Elderslie. Instead of rejoining the cycle route, we’re continuing on the B789 and heading towards Johnstone.

Johnstone to Brookfield

The A761 road from Johnstone to Brookfield was pretty busy and I wouldn’t recommended it for a new cyclist or someone who isn’t confident ‘holding their own’ on the roads. Which is a shame as once you turn off the A761 to Sandholes Road, it’s really quite a pleasant rural ride.

Rural Ride

As you ride from Brookfield to Crosslee along Sandholes Road then B789, the roads become calmer and quieter and you can begin to enjoy your surroundings. The route will take you over the picturesque River Gryffe and up to Houston Road.

Here you’ll have almost 4 miles of straight, uninterupted and relatively flat road to enjoy.

Barnhill Farmshop

Towards the end of Houston Road in Inchinnan, you’ll start seeing signs for the Barnhill Farmshop. This is well worth a visit to browse their selection of fruit and veg, plants, local artisan products and freshly baked sourdough bread. Barnfill farm also runs a regular farmers market from their colourful stalls situated in their courtyard.

Our vision is to increase access to fresh, healthy, sustainable food, especially in these strange times of self-isolation and supermarket supply chain issues.

With 17 years experience in the fresh produce industry, we have expanded from wholesale business to providing the local community with top quality produce, educating about farm-to-fork practices, and partnering with small local businesses. - BarnhillBoxes.com

Barnhill farm is well worth a visit - if only to meet the resident highland cattle!

‘Flying’ back to town

As you head back towards Paisley, you’ll likely pass Glasgow International Airport and there is a cycle path which skirts it’s perimeter. The airport is completely empty at the moment due to COVID-19 travel restrictions which makes it a slightly eerie detour but definitely a facinating one.

This loop covered about 16 miles, took me about 1 hour 15 minutes and aside from some busy roads leaving Paisley/Johnstone it was an enjoyable Saturday ride.

Do you have a favourite route you’d like to share with the Veloworld community? Get in touch using the form below and you could be featured in our next Adventure of the Week blog post.