John Muir Way - Day 1 - Helensburgh to Falkirk

A reasonably early start to get the train from Edinburgh to Helensburgh - just over a 2 hr journey. Arrived in Helensburgh to a fairly cool and cloudy outlook.

The first section of the route from Helenburgh to Balloch wasn't great with a lot of cycle path on pavements at the edge of A road. Stopped for coffee and sausage roll at Loch Lomond Shores.

It was then mainly quiet country roads through to Gartness before picking up the West Highland Way in reverse direction from normal to reach the northern edge of Mugdock Country Park. A rough climb and then descent through to Strathyre after which it was nice but familiar bike paths. 

Stopped in Milton of Campsie for tea and snack when heavy rain came. This didn't last too long so back on the trail onwards to Falkirk passed the Falkirk Wheel on the way.

Moving time of 5 hrs 8 minutes; 53 miles; 841 m climb. Felt like hard work and pretty tired at the end. 

Not the most interesting route given much of it had been travelled before. Train back to Edinburgh with the bike worked well.