Ayrshire and caving by bicycle!

This ride allows me to combine 3 of my interests (obsessions?), cycling, geology and caves. This is a 50 miler heading to the SW of Glasgow and out into Ayrshire to visit Cleeves Cove, the only cave I know of formed by dissolution of limestone in the Carboniferous rocks of Central Scotland. Sea caves formed by wave action are common and solution caves in the Cambrian Durness Limestone of the NW Highlands are well documented, as are solution caves in the metamorphic limestones of the Highlands. This cave is a bit of a rarity.

Should you want to go into the cave, it’s a bit mucky and slippy but fairly accessible, but you have to judge for yourself if this is right for you. It has a little bit of interesting speleothem so perhaps bring a head-torch or borrow mine?

Mainly, this is just a ride that will stop by the cave entrance for an alfresco lunch so I suggest bringing sandwiches/picnic stuff. The route itself is largely on pleasant/quiet country lanes through Neilston, Lugton and Barmill, returning on cycle route 7 skirting past Dalry, Kilbirnie and Lochwinnoch. The ride out is mostly on rolling countryside with a bit of a pull out of Glasgow. Pretty flat on the return. Average speeds 10-12mph.

Route is here:[ https://www.plotaroute.com/route/3072026?units=miles](https://www.plotaroute.com/route/3072026?units=miles)

Meet 10 am Pollokshaws West Station. Anticipated 6-7 hours including stops.

Coffee stops potentially available at Barrmill, Glengarnock Lochshore Park and Lochwinnoch as the mood takes.