A fort, a chapel and a gasholder

Today's ride saw the leader making his debut in the role. He led us out to Ocean Terminal, but via an interesting and somewhat unusual route, taking in bike paths and quiet roads in the east and north of the city. The route included a couple of spots that were new to all of us. Getting a turn out of 20 riders for our February ride was good. The weather helped. Despite being quite chilly and overcast, it remained dry, and [for once] there were no issues with ice.

The leader gave a comprehensive briefing, telling us of three specific locations we would visit, warning us of a short muddy section, and to take care on the old rail lines by Victoria Quay. Then we were off. Through Holyrood Park, down to Duddingston village, a short section on Duddingston Road West before turning left through the houses to emerge at the Meadowbank entrance to the Park. A cut-through, across the busy London Road, and we were soon in the pleasant surroundings of Lochend Park where we paused by the pond. Through the back streets of Lochend, which were unfamiliar to many, and we were at the Crigentinny Golf Club. Here was the short, muddy section we had been warned about. With everyone safely through, we crossed Seafield Road twice to arrive at The Shore via Leith Links. After a short distance on NCN 75, we turned off to head through the back streets of Bonnington. More twiddling through back streets, The Shore, Victoria Quay and we arrived at Ocean Terminal for our lunch stop. Most of the group headed out onto the veranda for an al fresco lunch.

With lunch over, it was time for some history lessons. First stop was St Ninian's Chapel in Quayside Street, then Leith Fort in North Fort Street. At both stops, the leader gave a brief talk informing us of the history of the two places. We were soon at Victoria Quay, taking care on the embedded rail lines we had been warned about. Unfortunately, they caught out one rider - their bike went down, they appeared to fly up into the air, but miraculously, they landed on their feet unharmed. If you have to fall, that's the way to do it. Via the Hawthornvale Path, Trinity Path, McKelvie Parade and Lower Granton Road we made our way to Granton Gasholder Number 1. Having only opened a week or two earlier, the newly painted gasholder in its own park was our final stop of the day. Here Ian handed out his delicious homemade cookies. From the waterfront we made our way to the Telford Path for the run back into town. We were delayed by a puncture on this stretch. Underway again, the Roseburn Path, the new path that bypasses Gorgie and the canal led us back to the Meadows where the leader declared the ride officially over.

Thanks to Steve for leading us on such an interesting route for his debut ride as leader, which was enjoyed by all. The fact that Mike said, "in my 20 years on the group, I did not expect to be taken to places I hadn't been before, but I was." speaks volumes. Thanks to Alan for back marking.

Leader: Steve

Report: Glenn

Photos: Glenn

February ride this coming Saturday

We've got our February ride coming up on Saturday (8th). Our leader will be Steve (Hancock), who will be making his debut as a 20-Milers ride leader.

Steve has  come up with an interesting and somewhat unusual route, taking in bike paths and quiet roads in the east and north of the city. The route will include a couple of spots that I think will be new to many of us - more about that on the day.

I don't foresee any difficulties with the route. There will be gentle gradients for most of the time, with only one fairly steep climb. And for the most part we will be on reasonably firm surfaces apart from one short stretch that might be muddy. The total distance will be just under the nominal twenty miles.

Lunch stop

Our lunch stop will be at the Ocean Terminal in Leith. As you probably know, this offers a choice of cafes and sandwich shops, as well as a terrace for those of us who prefer to bring a packed lunch (but watch out for the seagulls).

Time and place

As always, we'll gather at the north end of Middle Meadow Walk in time for a 10:30 departure. We'll aim to get back to the Meadows around the middle of the afternoon. The ride is of course free and open to all, and there is no need to let anyone know in advance whether or not you plan to attend.

A reminder

I'll take this opportunity to remind you to bring a spare inner tube with you if at all possible. That way, we'll be able to get you quickly up and running if you are hit by a puncture. And if your bike does not have quick-release wheels, please also bring whatever tools would be needed to remove the wheel. If you're not sure what size of tube or what type of tools you need, your favourite bike shop will be able to advise.

I hope to see you on Saturday. If you can't make it this time, next month's ride will be on 8th March.

The best-laid plans ...

When we post announcements of our rides, it's always with the proviso that the advertised route is provisional and that we might have to change it at the last minute, depending on conditions on the day. Such was the case with today's run. The original plan was to head out on the Water of Leith path and then back via Woodhall Road and Bonaly. But it has been particularly cold in Edinburgh this last week, with daytime temperatures often well below zero, resulting in some treacherous icy patches on roads and paths.

With that in mind, our leader, Alison, sensibly decided to carry out an extra recce of the planned route during the week. She found that certain stretches of the route – especially the high ground near the Woodhall Road riding school – were particularly badly affected by ice, and were likely to remain so for several days. So various alternative plans were considered. After some more reconnoitring, a more sheltered low level route was chosen, this being a variation of the "five parks" run that we have done several times before.

Twelve riders turned up for the ride, which, given the sub-zero temperature, was a pretty good effort. (Balaclava helmet liners, sealskin gloves and thermal jackets were all in evidence.) 

Route

Our route took us through Holyrood Park, Duddingston village and Cavalry Park, then alongside the Duddingston golf course to Milton Road and Bingham. After a short stretch on the Innocent path, we turned off through the Peffermill Industrial Estate and then through Craigmillar Castle Park. It took a few minutes for us all to get across the very busy Old Dalkeith Road, but we were soon able to continue by way of Inch Park and Double Hedges Road to the foot of Kirk Brae.

On previous occasions, we have headed for Blackford Glen Road and the Hermitage of Braid at this point. But another of Alison's earlier recces had identified the Hermitage as another likely ice hazard. So this time we turned right at the traffic lights and headed up Mayfield Road – our only climb of the day and, thankfully, a fairly short one. Next came a particularly pleasant stretch through the grounds of the King's Buildings. After crossing West Mains Road, we weaved through the back streets of Blackford and the Grange before finishing the ride back at the Meadows.

At just over twelve miles, it was not exactly a long ride, but was just about right given the conditions. We kept up a moderate pace with very little standing around in the cold, and we managed to avoid the worst of the ice. So kudos to Alison for coming up with this alternative plan and for undertaking the necessary recces. A word of thanks too to Miranda who volunteered at short notice to serve as backmarker.

We'll be back to our full-day runs in February. It will surely have got warmer by then?

Leader: Alison

Report: Mike

Photos: Sorry, none this time;  too cold to stop and take pictures.

Our first ride of 2025 this Saturday

We've got our first ride of 2025 coming up on Saturday (11th). Alison will be leading us on what promises to be a scenic route, out along the Water of Leith towards Currie, and then back by a high-level route via Woodhall Road and Bonaly. I don't foresee any difficulties, apart from a couple of short climbs on the return leg and some short stretches that might be a little muddy. The total distance will be about 14 miles.

Note that this will again be a half-day ride. We'll aim to finish at or near the Meadows at about 1 pm. We will not be organising a lunch stop, but there are plenty of cafes, sandwich shops and the like near the end point for those who would like a post-ride meal or snack.

As always, we'll set out at 10:30 from our usual meeting point at the north end of Middle Meadow Walk. And, as always, the ride is free and open to all on a "just turn up" basis.

Finally, please keep in mind that we always welcome suggestions for new routes or destinations for our rides, especially if you can volunteer to lead a ride yourself. If so, do get in touch.

A short ride for Christmas morning

Some of you have asked me if we will be running a 20-Milers ride on Christmas morning. Unfortunately, this has not proved possible. However, one of our members, Jim Cameron, has stepped in with an offer to lead an unofficial half-day ride on that morning. (Many of you will know Jim as the driving force behind EasyCycle.)

This won't be a 20-Milers event, but Jim tells me that anyone who cycles with us will be welcome to come along.

Details

Wednesday 25th December.  Meet at 10:30 in front of Sainsbury in Middle Meadow Walk. The ride will finish near Surgeons Hall at 13:00 at the latest, with the option of an earlier exit point at about 11:30 for those who need to get away earlier.

The route will include parts of the city centre, Calton Hill, Lochend Park and Leith. After the ride, the Mosque Kitchen in Nicholson Street will be open for those who would like to go for lunch or a snack.

As with our own rides, this one is open to all with no advance booking and is free of charge.

Further information

Jim Cameron  07760 455819,  Easycycle@JimCameron.Co.uk.

Whether or not you can make it for this event, our next 20-Milers ride will be on 11 January. As usual, I'll post details a few days in advance.

A mid-winter meander

For our last ride of 2024, we enjoyed a bright dry day– albeit a very cold one, with the thermometer struggling to get above zero. Despite that, 13 riders turned up for our half-day ride to Cramond and Silverknowes.

The highlight of the ride came early: our first use of the spanking new Canal-Roseburn cycle route. The name is a bit of a misnomer because this much-needed route doesn't actually start at the canal, but rather from the Telfer Subway, about 300 metres to the north west. So we still had to cross Dundee Street and negotiate the rounded steps (affectionately known as "the bumps") leading down to the subway.

But after that, the route was a delight to use. A new toucan crossing took us safely over the West Approach Road and into a revamped Dalry Community Park, with its impressive sports arena and play area. There is a new bridge over Dalry Road and another over the Mid Calder railway line. The whole route is wide, well surfaced and well lit, with easy gradients and gentle curves – not to mention some interesting views across the city. In short, it is a splendid addition to Edinburgh's cycling infrastructure.

After leaving the new route in Russell Road, we were soon in the more familiar territory of the Roseburn and Blackhall paths. At Davidson's Mains, we headed north for a short distance along Cramond Road South before entering the grounds of the 16th-century Lauriston Castle. We took a short breather here while chocolates were handed out.


We had another quick stop – a comfort break – at the mouth of the River Almond, then continued along the Silverknowes Esplanade. Then came the only work of the day: a steady climb up Silverknowes Road back to the Blackhall Path. We then retraced our outward route back towards  the start point.

By the time we reached Bruntsfield Links shortly before 1 pm, all but five  of the group had peeled off, so the ride was officially declared over. At 14 miles, it was just about the right length for a mid-winter run. We'll have another short ride in January and then return to our normal full-day programme after that.
 
Leader, report, photos: Mike

New cycle route links Roseburn to the Union Canal

 A brand new cycling route, linking the Roseburn area with the Union Canal towpath, opened today.

Here are some photos taken soon after the official opening.