The start of the route at the exhibiton centre is on quiet roads which meet up with the Forth and Clyde Canal. Not long after the start, the route crosses the Clyde Expressway by an inaccessable foot bridge - this can be avoided by going through a small gate into a industrial area and turning right when exiting out of the main gate on to the foot path takes you back ontrack. The canal tow path is mainly red baize, which can be quite unpleasant when it has been raining, but on a dry day this is a very nice ride. Being a tow path it is surprising that there is only one gate which requires your handbike to be lifted over or maneuvered round the chicane - I managed this once by myself but it wasn't easy. Once you reach Dumbarton you are back on roads for a while until you reach the riverside path, which takes you to Balloch.
