May ride to South Queensferry

For today's ride, we had originally intended to take a long-ish route to South Queensferry and the Dundas Estate, similar to the one that Ken led us on last October. But in deference to the weather and the turnout, today's leader, Claire, wisely decided on a slightly shorter option. It was nevertheless a very enjoyable run.

Twenty four of us set out from the Meadows, taking the familiar route to Russell Road and onto the Roseburn Path. We then headed north through Davidson's Mains and Barnton. After Cramond Brig we turned onto the Kirkliston Road, and then onto the railway path into Dalmeny. The final leg of the morning was the delightful (and delightfully flat) Ferry Glen path, which ends at the Co-op in South Queensferry.

As well as being an interesting destination in its own right, South Queensferry offers an excellent choice of eating places. About a third of the group opted to eat their own food on the steps overlooking the harbour. Most of the others headed for the Picnic Café, which, as always, served us efficiently and without fuss.

It had been raining steadily for most of the morning, but happily the skies started to clear for our return leg. This took us along Queensferry's cobbled main street, under the Forth Bridge and into the Dalmeny Estate. After a couple of pleasant off-road miles, we emerged at Cramond Brig, and then re-traced our outward route as far as the Sustrans marker at Craigleath, where we went our separate ways.



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Leader: Claire
Report: Mike
Map trace: Jim

Extra May ride to Blackness

As the weather warms up and the days get longer, we add in a few extra, longer rides to take advantage of the opportunity. This month, Logan led 24 cyclists on a very pleasant ride out to the West. We left from Craigleith, headed out on Route 1 to Dalmeny, cut down under the Forth Road Bridge and went West along the sea front towards Hopetoun House, pausing for a couple of scenic views and jelly babies en route.

We cut through the estate, following Route 76 (I'd not been along the new bit through the woods to Blackness before, but it works very well although not ideal for skinny tyres - better with something a bit chunkier). After a troublesome puncture in this area, we decided that we didn't have time to detour to see Blackness Castle, and instead turned inland and headed up the only real hill of the day (small really, but it was getting windy and cloudy and a bit colder at this point) and after a very short stretch on a main road we descended on the Rouken Glen Garden Centre for lunch - who coped with us admirably and had lots of delicious home made cakes as well as other food.

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After lunch we headed south to Philipstoun where we wiggled through a housing estate's garage lot and found the canal access, from where we had a few miles of flat cycling with the wind behind us. A short break for another puncture, in the middle of acres of wild garlic, and we left the canal at Winchburgh and had a super whoosh down with tailwind into Kirkliston. A short stretch on the old railway line (slightly uphill but still wind-assisted) and then onto the road past Craigie Farm and to rejoin Route 1 near Cramond. From there we made it back to Craigleith in good order and many people celebrated (and warmed up) in Costa coffee before heading their separate ways. Thanks to Logan for a very good route.

30miler ride to Blackness - Saturday 4th

For this Saturday's ride, we will be meeting at 10.00, at the Sustrans marker at the junction of the Roseburn, Blackhall and Telford paths. If you're not sure where that is, head for the Sainsbury's petrol station in South Groathill Avenue, and look for the sign pointing onto the bike path.

 

Logan will be leading us on a very pleasant route - similar to the one he led last May. We'll be heading out to South Queensferry, and then following a path through the Hopetoun Estate and along the Firth of Forth to Blackness Castle. This part of the route will be reasonably level but with a few rough patches.  After Blackness, we'll have a steep climb, followed by a short section along a main road to reach our lunch stop at the Rouken Glen Garden Centre. This has a spacious cafeteria which serves soup, sandwiches and light meals.

 

Our return route will be partly on roads and partly on the canal towpath, with only a few moderate hills. We'll aim to get back to town about 4 pm, but this might vary, depending on conditions, punctures, etc.

 

If you feel comfortable with the speed of our usual Saturday runs, and you now want something a little more challenging, give this Extra ride a try. As with all our rides, it's free of charge, and you don't need to tell us in advance that you're coming. Just turn up at the meeting point (but do remember that earlier start time).

April 13th's sunny ride to Ratho

More photos from today's ride

After weeks of frequent rain and freezing winds, the weather changed just in time for today's ride. About 20 of us headed out to Ratho, under a warmish sun and with only a slight breeze in our face.

Rather than taking the obvious (and somewhat boring) out-and-back route along the Union Canal, our leader, Alan Orr, conducted us through the streets of Morningside and across the northern slopes of Easter Craiglockhart Hill. After crossing Colinton Road, we took a handy cut-through to reach the canal at Allan Park.

After a fast three miles along the towpath, we left the canal at Hermiston House Road (see photo). A couple more road miles took us into Ratho. Then came the only hard work of the day: hauling our bikes up the double flight of steps to our lunch stop at the Edinburgh International Climbing Arena.

The EICA is always a good choice for lunch. The café has a spectacular view of the 30-metre high climbing wall, which is built right into the face of an old quarry - the largest facility of its kind in the world. There are also plenty of picnic tables; these have a somewhat less spectacular view of the Union Canal.

For the return leg, Alan led us back through Ratho village and then across the Ratho Park Golf Club. I don't know if this is an official bike route (were those golfers shouting at us, or were they just being exuberant?), but it certainly makes for pleasant cycling. After a nice freewheel down Gogar Station Road, we passed under the City Bypass into Edinburgh Park, and then headed for home via South Gyle, Corstorphine and Roseburn.



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Leader: Alan
Report and photo: Mike
Map: Jim

Forthcoming rides

We've got our usual monthly ride this coming Saturday (13th). We'll be heading out to one of our more popular destinations: the International Climbing Arena near Ratho. This is an interesting place, where you can watch rock climbing on the quarry wall or peruse the large outdoor shop. Most importantly, the centre has a good cafe which serves a range of light meals and snacks.

 

Alan (Orr) will be leading the ride. I don't have any information about the route at present, but I can tell you that we won't simply be going straight out and back along the canal: it will be much more interesting than that.

 

Meet at the usual place (the north end of Middle Meadow Walk) in time for a 10.30 kick-off. Expect to be back in town by mid afternoon.

 

Extra ride to Blackness

In the hope of finally getting some reasonable weather, we've started planning some Extra rides for the summer. These runs are a little longer and faster than our normal second-Saturday outings - but not much. They're typically around 30 miles, which allows us to reach places that would otherwise be outside our range.

 

The first of this year's Extras will be on 4th May. Logan will be leading us through the Hopetoun Estate to Blackness Castle. I'll send you more details of this ride nearer the time.

An educational in-town ride for March

For this month's ride (9th March), we took an unusual route through the south and east of the city. Ten people turned up, which I thought was pretty good, considering the awful weather (steady rain and a freezing easterly wind).

We headed out through the Grange and were soon climbing the eastern slopes of Blackford Hill. We paused for a few minutes while our leader, Andy Hunter, pointed out an exposed outcrop known as Agassiz Rock. It was here in 1840 that the Swiss geologist, Louis Agassiz, noticed the distinctive grooving in the rock, which he attributed to the action of ancient glaciers - an observation which laid the foundation for modern theories of geology.

Fortified with that knowledge, we continued down Blackford Glen Road, across Gilmerton Road, and into the Inch Park. After crossing Old Dalkeith Road, we climbed a steep path towards the back of Craigmillar Castle. The path was narrow and somewhat muddy, and we ended up pushing our bikes most of the way up.

While stopping for a breather near the castle (see photo), Andy told us how Mary Queen of Scots, who lived here at various times in the 1560s, would look out over the fields where we now stood, and where her French entourage was camped. She is said to have referred to the view as "my little France". The name stuck.

A short downhill run now took us to Duddingston Road West, and then to the familiar Innocent Railway path. We left the path at Magdelene Gardens, and headed north by Hope Lane, and so to the Portobello Promenade to look for a lunch stop.

By now, the wind was on the attack with renewed vigour, and the footway was being drenched by spray. With a chill factor well into the minus zone, even the hardened picnickers amongst us decided to forgo the idea of an al fresco lunch. Instead, we opted for the Espy pub, which was warm and welcoming.

As you can imagine, it took a good dose of willpower for us to drag ourselves back to the bikes after lunch. The rain had now stopped, but the wind was still bitterly cold, and we had to dodge the waves as we continued along the prom.

At Seafield, we left the shore, and used the excellent new access point to get to the path by the cemetery. This much-impoved path reaches Leith Links by means of a useful new bridge.

After crossing the links, we headed to the Water of Leith path, which we followed all the way through Warriston, Canonmills, Stockbridge, Dean Village and Roseburn. Most of the group peeled off at various points along this section of the route, so with only three riders remaining, the ride was officially declared finished at Ashley Terrace. At 21 miles, it was another excellent run - and an educational one at that.



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Leader: Andy
Photo and map: Andy
Report: Mike

March's ride

This Saturday's ride will be a chance to explore some interesting bike routes within the city. We'll be cycling on paths and quiet roads for much of the way, with no particularly difficulties of any kind. Depending on the exact route we take, the total distance will be between 18 and 22 miles. Our leader will be Andy Hunter.

 

For lunch, we'll stop at a cafe in the Portobello area, where we'll be able to get sandwiches or hot snacks. There's also be a nice picnic spot for those who prefer to bring their own food.

 

As always, we'll set out from Middle Meadow Walk at 10.30, with the ride finishing some time around mid afternoon. The ride is completely free and open to all, with no need to book in advance.