One-day ride: Dunfirmline
Scotland has great roads everywhere, not just the Highlands. Welcome to Fife...
FOR MANY RIDERS, Dunfirmline is just a small city to skirt on the way to Knockhill, Scotland’s premier racing circuit. But there’s more to this historic town on the north shore of the Firth of Forth. There are some fabulous historic buildings in the centre (the City Chambers is fantastic), the Abbey was set up by a saint and is the last resting place of Robert the Bruce and… nobody’s really interested in that kind of stuff, though, are they? What you really want to know is what the riding’s like.
That’s the really good news. While the M90 rushes most of the speeding traffic past the Kelpies, there are great roads all around Dunfirmline. Head east into Fife for relaxed riding or north-west for hillier, twistier thrills – but it’s perfectly possible to have a fabulous day around Loch Tay and Loch Earn without heading to higher altitudes where, later in the year, the weather might be harsher. Our one-day ride is a full day in the saddle but easily shortened for a morning ride simply by picking up the return leg from Crieff.
STAGE ONE Dunfirmline to Newburgh 40 miles
Leave Dunfirmline on the A92 (picked up from the M90 J3 southbound or J2A northbound) towards Kirkaldy. Take the second exit (after four miles) for Lochgelly and at the top of the sliproad turn left on the B9149. Cross over two roundabouts and at the third, turn right on the B981 to Glenrothes. Stay on the B981 then the B9130 to Coaltown of Balgonie. Don’t miss the right turn about two miles outside Coaltown for the A911: then turn right to take the A911 towards Leven. At the roundabout, turn left on the A916 towards Tay Bridge. Turn right at the traffic lights to stay on this road. At the A914, turn right towards Tay Bridge. At the roundabout by the War Memorial in Cupar, turn left after Cupar Motorcycles on the A913 to Perth.
Morning coffee Newburgh Didn’t fill up before setting off? Don’t worry: there’s a garage as you come into Newburgh, with the excellent Blue Door Café attached. A perfect stop to refuel rider and machine.
STAGE TWO Newburgh to Aberfeldy 55 miles
Continue along the A913 and when it meets the A912, turn right towards Perth. Go past the M90 and in Bridge of Earn, turn left on the B935 to Forgandenny. At the T-junction by the level crossing, turn left on the B934 to Dunning. In Dunning turn right on the B8062 to Auchterarder, then turn left on the A824. In Auchterarder turn right on the B8062 to Crieff. Go into Crieff town centre and pick up the A85 towards Perth. In Gilmerton turn left on the A822 to Dunkeld. After 12 miles, turn left on the A826 to Aberfeldy.
Lunch Aberfeldy Turn left at the lights in Aberfeldy to go down the high street. A couple of good options here but we’d favour either the Habitat Café or (a bit further down, over the mini-roundabout) The Tay café for a bite to eat.
STAGE THREE Aberfeldy to Crieff 50 miles
Leave Aberfeldy on the A827 to Kenmore and Killin. At the A85, turn left towards Perth. Five miles later, in Lochearnhead, turn left to continue on the A85 towards Perth.
Afternoon tea Crieff Couple of good options in the town centre but just outside town is the Glenturret Distillery – home to the Famous Grouse Experience, with a superb café. It’s open until 5pm but if you want the excellent traditional afternoon tea, then that’s served from 2.30 to 4pm and is best booked in advance. www.thefamousgrouse.com
STAGE FOUR Crieff to Dunfirmline 35 miles
Leave Crieff on the A822 to Stirling. In Greenloaning look out for the easily missed left turn for Sherrifmuir and the A9 to Perth. Join the A9 towards Perth. After five-and-a-half miles (just after the garage) take the exit for the A823 to Dunfirmline. Turn right at the top of the sliproad towards Gleneagles and stay on the A823 back to Dunfirmline.