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Fife Council (with the help of the Millennium Commission)
undertook a Herculean task, unparalleled among the other Scottish local
authorities — the creation of an entire cycle network in one go.
Designing a cycle route suitable for riders with varying
abilities is not an easy task, neither is making same the route “safe”
for everyone. Experienced riders would think nothing of cycling parts
of this route while others would baulk at the prospect. So if at times
the route seems to be a little quirky, forgive the designers they have
done their best with what they have. What the Council have come up with
was a 168 km or 105 miles circular route linking the Forth and Tay Bridges,
running from North Queensferry to Tayport and back by way of St. Andrews,
Glenrothes and Kirkcaldy. The publication of the last issue of Cycle Clips,
the Kingdom Cycle Routes newsletter and the reassignment of a key member
of the Fife team can only mean that the project has drawn to a virtual
end. This has left two incomplete sections; the off road sections linking
Newport and Tayport (avoiding the busy B945) and the farm track upgrading
between Kirkcaldy and Burntisland. Cycling on the B945 Road towards Tayport
is not a pleasurable experience. I can not advocate cycling on the footpath,
but it is there.... Just when the second section will be completed is
anyone's guess, even when the go ahead for construction was given, the
foot and mouth epidemic has put paid to any work for months to come.
What wise?
The general tendency
of the KCR is to go clockwise around the Kingdom, this makes use of the
hills. Going clockwise means that you can descend the hills at Cleish,
into Newburgh, Balmerino and Dura Den. Going the other way around means
some serious ascending. Following the route Do not feel forced into following
this (or any other) cycle route “to the letter.” Look at the route and
if something suits you better or is more interesting then do it, do not
be constrained to follow a route just because it is there. Make detours,
look at the sights above all enjoy the experience!
Maps
The following series of web pages could be used to navigate around the
Kingdom. I would suggest buying the official map from Fife Council or
one of their distributors or think big and buy the Sustrans / National
Cycle Network Route 1 map, which covers the North Sea Cycle Route from
Edinburgh to Aberdeen.
Sign posting
All cycle routes
need signing, generally the signs around the KCR are good, but there are
times when signs are missing, carry the wrong colour, or been turned round
by the occasional rascal. Cycle the route but keep an eye out for the
signs and where you should be going, try to memorise small sections of
the route in advance and use your cycle computer in conjunction with the
official maps to anticipate the route ahead.
All in a oner
To date I have not been able to complete the route in one go, the challenge
of completing the entire route is there, it would be interesting to know
if anyone has managed to complete the route and in what times. It took
me the best part of a day to go three-quarters around, missing the turning
for the diversion into Kinghorn and a lack of water was the death knell
for my attempt. North Sea Cycle Route Three cycle routes: the North Sea
Cycle Route, The National Cycle Route (NCN) 1 and parts of the Kingdom
Cycle Route have been combined to connect mainland Scotland, to Orkney,
Shetland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Netherlands and England. In
all seven countries, 5,700 km or 3,500 miles of quiet roads and cycle
tracks. NCN 1 tends to use the northbound route to Kinross, then jumping
over to the southbound section and continuing against the flow as it were,
making its way north towards to Dundee by way of St. Andrews. Doing this
exposes you to two steep hills and in my mind is unnecessary. Have a look
at continuing northbound through Newburgh which has one major climb compared
to two on the other route, in the end make up your own mind it is your
sweat!
Wallace
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