South Queensferry this coming Saturday

For our ride this coming Saturday (14th), Yaz will be leading us to South Queensferry. This is a familiar destination for most of us, but this time Yaz has cleverly managed to find a couple of interesting variations to the route, which should make for variety.

The total distance will be just under 20 miles. The route will be mainly (but not entirely) away from traffic and mainly (but non entirely) on well-surfaced paths and roads. I can't promise that it will be flat, but at least the hills will all be reasonably gentle.

Lunch

With the closure of two of the cafes in South Queensferry last year, the choice of lunch venue isn't as good as it once was. The Little Bakery and the Ferry Tap both serve light meals, but they tend to be busy at times and therefore the service is often slow. Many of us prefer to bring a packed lunch, and there is a nice picnic spot where we can eat it, overlooking the Forth. Another option would be to pick up a sandwich at the co-op, which is fairly close to our stopping point. There is also a shop nearby that does take-away tea and coffee.

Logistics

As always, we'll gather at the top 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.

A 20-Milers Milestone

Around two dozen of us - including many old friends from our early years - got together for a ride and lunch today, to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of our cycling group.

All photos by Neil Miller

Gathering at Middle Meadow Walk for the start of the ride

Alison gives the customary briefing

Not the sunniest of days

On arrival at the Butterflies Cafe, Yaz says a word of welcome

Speeches, presentations and a quiz

Here's to the next twenty years

August Extra ride cancelled

I am sorry to report that the Extra ride we had scheduled for next Saturday has been cancelled. This is because of circumstances completely beyond our control. It was to be our traditional August ride to Merryhatton, which many of us were looking forward to. So apologies for the disappointment.

This won't affect our September "second Saturday" run, which will go ahead as planned on the 14th. And we are still hoping to fit another Extra into the programme before the autumn weather closes in. Details of both those events will be posted here in due course.

Far from the madding crowds

Once again, for the August 20-Milers ride, we opted to avoid those parts of Edinburgh that would be heaving with tourists. This was our festival escape time, so we headed to the Edinburgh International Climbing Arena (EICA) at Ratho. The weather was pleasantly comfortable, rather than hot; but it did stay dry all day. There was a stiff breeze, but it was only noticeable on open and exposed sections. A turnout of nineteen riders mustered at our usual starting point, which was now festooned with festival posters. This didn't stop the leader from hanging the 20-Milers banner over one of them. In fact, he forgot to take it down and it remained there all day, being collected at the end of the ride. Wonder how many passers-by saw it and thought the 20-Milers was a show in the festival? 

Following the customary leader's briefing, we headed off through the Meadows which were already busy. Via Leamington Walk and Whitehouse Loan, we were soon in Canaan Lane. The last few riders in the group were delayed as a delivery van turned around having realised it was only a through road for cycles and pedestrians. We emerged from the quiet back streets onto the busy Morningside Road and turned right at the lights into Balcarres Street. Through the gate in the wall, and we were riding through the woods. At Craiglockhart Pond we had to carry our bikes up a few steps to get back on the road. We were soon on the busy Colinton Road where a courteous driver stopped to allow the whole group to make a right turn. Quiet back streets and paths led us to the Union Canal towpath. Heading west, we dismounted and walked across the Slateford Aqueduct. We continued on the towpath past Longstone and Wester Hailes. There were lots of pedestrians on the path just before we turned off at Hermiston House Road, where Iain passed round his delicious home baking. Onwards through Ratho village and up what the leader had called the "monster climb". With the climb behind us, we turned right at Bonnington onto the B7030 for a nice downhill section, before turning right onto the quiet road that lead us to the EICA. There were three options for lunch: picnic tables on the terrace, sit inside and watch the climbers on the wall, or downstairs to the café.

Lunch over, it was time to begin heading back towards Edinburgh. Returning to the B7030, we turned right down to the bridge that carries the M8 motorway. A sharp left turn, followed by another saw us on a steep gravelly track heading up to the Union Canal. Given the loose surface and tight approach, all but Neil on his fat-tyre bike opted to walk this section. We took the towpath back as far as Ratho, leaving it at the Bridge Inn. We were now on what would be expected to be quiet back roads; but were actually quite busy with traffic - it's probably used at a cut-through route given its proximity to the A8. At Roddinglaw, we left the road and took our own off-road cut-through past Kellerstain. Soon we were heading under the subway to emerge at Edinburgh Park.  From there we took the cycle path past Sighthill and Broomhouse, before joining the path beside the tram tracks to the old Jenners Depository. Past Murrayfield Stadium, through Roseburn Park and the familiar route back to the Meadows via Russell Road, the Telfer Subway and Leamington Bridge. Whilst the Meadows had been busy when we left, now they were teeming. It's surprising how many people cannot grasp the difference between the lanes for pedestrians and those for cyclists.

The leader declared the ride officially over, and seemed somewhat surprised to be given a round of applause. Thanks to Alan for leading a ride that allowed us to escape the festival crowds, and thanks to Saqib and Neil for sharing the back marking.

Leader: Alan

Report: Glenn

Photos: Glenn 

August ride to Ratho

 We've got our August ride coming up on Saturday (10th).

Under Alan's leadership, we will be heading west towards Ratho. It promises to be a pleasant route along some nice country lanes. There will also be a couple of stretches on the canal towpath and a couple of short sections on paths that might be a little rough in places. We will face a fairly steep climb just before lunch, but I don't expect any other difficulties. The total distance will be about 22 miles.

Our lunch stop will be at the climbing arena in Ratho. This has a café which serves hot and cold drinks and a limited selection of sandwiches and cakes. For those who prefer to bring their own food, there is a sunny terrace with picnic tables as well as some indoor seating with views of the climbing wall. There are also vending machines selling hot and cold drinks.

The rest you already know: we'll meet 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. As always, the ride is open to all, with no advance booking.

August Extra : Change of date

Please note that we have re-scheduled our August Extra. This will now take place on 24 August. I'll post full details in due course.

What, no trains?

For our third Extra ride of the year we headed to Bo'ness Station on the preserved Bo'ness and Kinneil Railway. Despite it being a summer Saturday, we didn't see a single train. Not sure if we were there at the wrong time, or if none were running; but this was to be our first ever train-free visit. But it was a lovely route, being quiet and peaceful in many parts. It was reasonably warm and alternated between sunny and bright, but overcast. We had a couple of light showers, but they didn't last long. We mustered 23 riders for what was one of the longest and fastest rides of late.

Following the leader's briefing, we left Craigleith and took the familiar route to Cramond Brig via Silverknowes and Barnton. The group had spread out a little, and those further back were most surprised to discover there was no stop on the bridge. Instead we pressed on to the Burnshot Bridge and took the road towards Kirkliston. At this point, one rider left the ride to head home. Apparently, the pace was far too pedestrian for their liking. We turned off the road and made our way up the rough and rocky path to join the old railway path. Whilst most riders were content to wheel their bikes up this section, a few riders commendably rode up. There was a comfort stop at the leisure centre, where not one but two lots of home baking were passed round. Thanks to Ian and the leader for sustaining the group. There followed a short stretch on the road to Winchburgh. A bridge under the M9 motorway, and we turned left onto a quiet road. Another bridge under the M9 and we were in lovely countryside heading towards Niddry Castle. Leaving the road, we joined the delightful Union Canal towpath for the next 4 miles to Philipstoun. At the point where we left the canal were a pair of swans with their signets, in the water. On the recce a couple of weeks ago, the swans were on one side of the path, and the signets on the other. Left with no choice but to cycle between them, pecks from the parents made it clear we were not welcome. From there more quiet roads led us towards the busy A904. We crossed the M9 for the third time, this time the bridge taking us over it. A very short stretch on the busy A904, a left turn and we were again on a quiet road. There followed a delightful downhill run to Blackness where we joined the lovely coast path towards Bo'ness. A short stretch through the woods was rough and unsurfaced, but most of the coast path was wide and well surfaced with beautiful views across the Forth. Through Bo'ness, and we were at our lunch stop at Bo'ness Station. Some of us sat outside to enjoy our picnics, whilst others headed for the café.

With lunch over, we took the coast path back to Blackness, where we joined NCN 76 through Wester Shore Wood and the Hopetoun Estate. This section being by far the roughest and bumpiest of the day. We left the estate and made our way into South Queensferry. Skirting the town, we were soon at Dalmeny village. From there, the path beside the B924 and A90 led us back to Cramond Brig, where we did pause on the bridge. Back to Craigleith by the same route we had taken out. Here the leader declared the ride over.

Shame about the couple of brief showers and not getting to see any trains, but thanks to Neil for leading such a successful ride that was clearly enjoyed by all. Thanks to Mike for back marking.

Leader: Neil

Report: Glenn

Photos: Glenn

July Extra this coming Saturday

 We've got the third of this year's Extra rides coming up on Saturday (27th). Neil will be leading us on what looks like a very pleasant route through West Lothian countryside and coastal paths. Our lunch stop will be at the historic railway station at Bo'ness. I can't promise that we'll see any steam trains, but you never know.

Compared to our usual "Second Saturday" runs, this ride will be long - about 38 miles for the round trip - with an earlier start, a later finish, a somewhat faster pace and fewer stops. Please keep all that in mind when deciding if your fitness level will be right for this ride.

Most of the route will follow quiet roads and off-road paths, including about four miles on the canal towpath and a similar distance along the coastal path through Blackness and the Hopetoun Estate. There will be a few hills, but none of them particularly difficult. We will be on reasonably good surfaces most of the time, with only a couple of short rough sections.

Lunch

The railway station at Bo'ness has a friendly cafe that serves a good range of snacks and light meals. You can either eat inside the cafe or at the picnic tables outside. Of course, you also have the option of bringing your own food for a picnic lunch. Alternatively, you could pick up a sandwich at either the Tesco or the Lidl, both of which are close by.

Time and place

Please note that the ride will start at 10:00, which is half an hour earlier than usual. We'll set out from our alternative meeting point at the Craigleith path junction - see here if you need directions. The ride will end back at Craigleith towards the end of the afternoon.

As always, the ride is free and open to all, with no advance booking.

Looking ahead

For August, we again have two rides planned: our standard run on the 10th and another Extra on the 31st. In both cases I'll post he usual details here in good time.