In recent months, the bicycle has stepped into the limelight as the poster-child for post-coronavirus transport. It’s a safe, inexpensive and socially distanced way to run errands, get some exercise, or explore the world around you. Plus, it has low environmental impact. It’s also fun – there’s nothing quite like the feeling of accomplishment of having conquered a hill, or the exhilaration of swooping down the descent.

The government has allocated two billion pounds to refocus public transport infrastructure around walking and cycling. How much of that will reach our little town is not exactly clear, but luckily for us, St Andrews and the surrounding area already has some excellent spots and routes for you to try out.

Note that even if you don’t own a bike you can always rent one for the day from Bike Pool, or even borrow one from a friend. Alternatively, join the University of St Andrews Triathlon Club, which schedules group rides throughout the week and has some bikes available for these trips.

Exploring on your own might be more fun, but if you’d like some ideas to get started, below are a few classic routes that I hope you will enjoy. Remember to take a fully-charged phone!

For A Quick Spin

Scoonie Hill (suggested and photo by Liz King)

Head south out of St Andrews via Largo Road, up past Morrisons and the hospital. Once you pass the caravan park on your right, there’s a smaller road off to the right. Follow this through to the other side, where you’ll meet up with the A917. A left turn here will give a fun, quick descent back into St Andrews, dropping you off at the east end of Lamond Drive.

This path winds through fields, giving beautiful views. What’s more, you can complete this in well under an hour, even if you take your time to stop and smell the flowers, making it just right for a quick spin.

If You’ve Got Some Time To Kill

Tentsmuir Wood

Just over the strip of water at the end of West Sands is Tentsmuir forest. Here, trails run through giant pines, opening out onto the beach. Tentsmuir is home to several different species which you might be lucky enough to see, including deer and even seals! It also hides a 19th century ice house and Second World War defences.

Zaina King suggests a quick pit stop at Eden Mill Distillery, which you can find just off the main road in Guardbridge, and where you can pick up some cold tins for the beach.

To get to Tentsmuir head out of St Andrews via the road past the Old Course, and follow this all the way to Guardbridge. A right at Guardbridge roundabout will take you to Leuchars Air Base and the town itself. From here it’s a spin down some quiet roads to Tentsmuir.

Dura Den/Ceres Burn

Leave St Andrews along Hepburn Gardens, continuing past the sports centre. Take a right at the roundabout, and then another right past DRA onto Strathkinness High Road. Keep following this up, through Strathkinness and down the speedy descent on the other side. A quick left over the bridge and you’re onto a road that runs adjacent to Ceres Burn, a small creek that slips into Pitscottie.

This road is beautiful. The tarmac is relatively flat, you’re surrounded by woodland and the creek, and there are very few cars. If you have the right weather, sunlight filters through the leaves and speckles the ground. There are a few cottages dotted around but it’s mostly green. Don’t miss the small waterfall that bubbles away on your left hand side as you head to Pitscottie.

As the map shows, it’s a fairly long journey out to Dura Den, and if you go back the way you came you’ll have a decent hill to climb. Carry on to Pitscottie and take a left for a slightly less hilly route home.

The Long Haul

Falkland

A favourite of mine, this is a serious route for those with time on their hands. I would suggest that you only attempt this one after building up to it with several shorter routes, and after you’ve practised changing an inner tube!

Falkland is a sweet little village, much smaller than St Andrews in population, and of course removed from the coast. The houses are mostly solid stone, and there’s a quiet sense of welcoming as you roll into the main courtyard. Stop for a coffee at Fayre Earth, or a pint at one of the pubs. There is also an antique musical instrument store, which is well worth a poke about. Another attraction here is Falkland Palace, which is home to ‘real tennis’, the predecessor of tennis as we know it today.

There are a couple of ways to make your way here, but if you’re heading in the direction of Ceres, Cupar, or Ladybank then you’re on the right track. The road can be quite busy at times, but cuts right through Fife. After having cycled this, you’ll have a really good idea of what the county outside of St Andrews looks like.

Whichever route you choose to do, any time spent exploring Fife is sure to be worth your while, and will give you a sense of the community that exists outside of the slightly isolated St Andrews.

Happy exploring!

Thanks to Liz King for use of the featured image.