4 Bridges - unguided Community Ride

As this is our first ride of 2024, this will be a leisurely cycle. The main focus is getting out on our bikes and enjoying the great scenery and the company.

We leave the historic market town of Lanark on the cycle path passing the scenic Lanark Loch and racecourse before crossing the Clyde at Hyndford Bridge (built in 1773 by Alexander Stevens) and heading left to Pettinain. We are then on quiet, back roads and head over to Thankerton.

There is an option here to visit the the Tinto Tea Room for those in need of nourishment….or wait until we get back to Covington for those who fancy a fresh milk shake from the Milk Bar.

We then cross the Boat Bridge for the first time and do a quick loop round Quothquan before crossing the Boat Bridge again and head back to Covington. We pass a memorial to Rev, Donald Cargill, a 17th century Scottish Presbyterian and Covenanter and a memorial to Robert Burns. Both men are believed to have stayed at Covington Mains Farm.

We then cross return to Hyndford Bridge to cross the Clyde again before climbing back up to Lanark.

Please note that the vast majority of this route is on cycle paths and quiet roads, but the 0.5 mile stretch between the Pettinain road end and Hyndford Bridge is on a busier A road.