The Lost Shore: Take 2

The plan for June's ride had been to head out to the Lost Shore surfing centre near Ratho. Unfortunately, heavy rain led to that ride being shortened and an alternative [more sheltered] route was taken by the six brave souls that did turn up. Today we did make it to the Lost Shore. The weather was kinder to us, but strong gusty winds made the ride harder than might have been expected in August. Perhaps it wasn't too surprising as it was just five days since Storm Floris had battered Scotland. With the Festival in full-swing, the Orange Order walk and Oasis concert taking place today, we were expecting to get caught up in one or all of them; but we were very lucky to escape largely unaffected.

Although strong winds were forecast and there had been rain earlier, it was bright and sunny as we met at the start. A turnout of just 12 riders was far from impressive for an August ride. A combination of the festival, holiday season and the weather probably all played a part. Our leader, Alan did point out that it made for a more manageable sized group. Every cloud has a silver lining? With the briefing over, we rolled away from Middle Meadow Walk towards Leamington Terrace. The improvement since the road was resurfaced has to be ridden to be believed. One rider said they were having to get used to not swerving all over the road in an attempt to avoid the worst of the potholes. From there we headed to South Gyle station via Roseburn Park, Carrick Knowe and Broomhall. The road bridge beside the station has restricted access forcing us to squeeze along a narrow section shared with pedestrians, before taking a detour to arrive at South Gyle shopping centre. By looping around the outer edge of the car park, we avoided the worst of the Saturday morning shoppers traffic. Through Edinburgh Park, out of the subway and on to Ratho village via Gogarbank. A combination of some quite steep hills, a lack of shelter and strong gusty winds made this section the hardest part of the ride. It was a relief to arrive at the Lost Shore for lunch and a rest.

We enjoyed our picnic lunches in a spot which offered some shelter from the wind with views of the surfers tackling the waves. With lunch over, we took the back path away from the surfing centre to the top end of Ratho. With the wind behind us, we whizzed down through the village, over the M8 motorway, past Gogarburn Golf Club and on to Roddinglaw where a short off-road section took us to the road back towards Gogarbank. We were delayed briefly by traffic lights on the narrow bridge across the railway. As we have found on previous rides, the lights will recognise a single car [and change promptly], but not a group of cyclists. With everyone safely across the bridge, we soon found ourselves back at Edinburgh Park. Going via Bankhead Drive, Broomhouse Drive, Stenhouse Drive and the cycle path alongside the tram line we were soon riding past Murrayfield Stadium. Fortunately, it was too early for us to get caught up in throngs of Oasis fans. Yes, there were a few milling around, but not enough to delay us at all. After that, we followed our outward route from the morning back to the Meadows where Alan declared the ride over.

It's always good to complete a ride that didn't happen on the planned date. Everyone enjoyed the ride, despite the gusty winds that had made some sections more challenging than expected, and it had stayed dry. Thanks to Alan for leading (and having gone out on his own mid-week to check the situation with the South Gyle station bridge), and to Mike for back marking.

Leader: Alan

Report: Glenn

Photos: Glenn

A case of deja vu

 

As many of you will know, we recce our rides to ensure that everything runs as smoothly as possible on the day. Today's ride to Craigie Farm saw a case of deja vu. On the recce a couple of weeks ago, we had just finished our picnic lunch when a heavy shower sent us scurrying for cover. The exact same thing happened today. For several years Craigie Farm was our destination in January; but in recent years it has become a summer ride. The forecast suggested we were in for a day of showers. Following the customary leader's briefing, thirteen of us left the Meadows in drizzly conditions and headed towards Roseburn Park via the familiar route of Leamington Bridge, canal, Telfer subway and Russell Road. We left the park and crossed Balgreen Road opposite the Jenner's Depository and made our way onto the shared path beside the tram track, taking it in the opposite direction to usual. We crossed the tram tracks and took the path through Broomhouse and Sighthill to Edinburgh Park station. Through the subway under the City Bypass and we were soon on quiet back roads around Gogarburn, passing the golf club that had been the destination for our 20 Milers ride back in May. This took us to Ratho where we paused to enjoy the cake that Iain kindly handed out. Suitably replenished, we pressed on to Ratho Station where a little path cut off the corner and we emerged beside the A8. We wheeled our bikes up and over the footbridge to the path on the other side. A short distance along this path beside the busy road [with its incessant noise] was quite enough. There were sighs of relief as we turned right down a quiet road leaving the noise behind. Beside the sewage works, we joined a lovely path through the woods towards Kirkliston. Skirting the town, we left the path near Carlowrie cottages. The leader was the only one who opted to ride down the rough, steep slope to the road; but he was on his balloon-tyred bike. From there, we stayed on that road until we turned off for Craigie Farm. Up the stiff little climb and we were at our lunch stop. Half the group headed to the picnic tables, whilst the other half went to the café. The service in the café was so slow that they gave up, bought food in the shop and joined us outside. We'd just finished lunch when a heavy shower sent us scurrying for cover. It lasted a couple of minutes before turning to light rain.

With waterproofs donned, we whizzed back down the hill and turned left at the bottom to head towards Edinburgh. From Burnshot Bridge, we took the subway, crossed the road and were soon back at Cramond Brig. It was still raining lightly. After our obligatory pause, we continued on our way,  regrouping at the post box on Barnton Avenue. The rain had stopped and it felt quite warm, so off came the waterproofs for what would be a dry run back to the Meadows by the familiar route we have taken so many times before. Having successfully dodged the tourists on the bike path, we were back at the Meadows and the leader declared the ride officially over.

Everyone enjoyed the ride. Whilst the rain probably played its part in a lower turnout, we didn't get soaked which was good. Thanks to Neil for leading us to a familiar place by a interestingly different route. Thanks to Alan for back marking.

Leader: Neil

Report: Glenn

Photos: Glenn

Gogarburn and the case of the missing keys

Today's ride had a new leader, new destination, the largest turnout for several years, the best weather so far this year and some drama thrown in for good measure. The weather clearly helped, but a turnout of 32 riders was impressive. From those that remembered the days when large numbers of riders were the norm, there was even talk of having to split into two groups to keep the ride manageable. Fortunately, that wasn't necessary on this occasion. An interesting and unusual route through the west of the city led us to our lunch stop at Gogarburn Golf Club near the airport.

Beneath blue skies and with warm sunshine, we left The Meadows and headed to the Russell Road zig-zags via the Leamington Bridge, Fountain Park and the Telfer Subway. At the Craigleith junction we headed towards Barnton and on to Cramond Brig where we had the obligatory stop. Turning left to take the subway under the A90, we were soon riding through the eerie abandoned housing estate once used for the military and their families at Craigiehall. After a stop at Grotto Bridge when Iain went round the group with homemade cakes, we continued through the woods before joining the road that took us to the Edinburgh Airport perimeter. Heading towards Maybury, a rider towards the back of the group suffered a puncture. Fortunately, Alan was on hand to assist. But when it was realised that the tyre was tubeless, he declared it, "game over!" Philip kindly agreed to accompany the unfortunate rider. The tyre was pumped up, fingers were crossed and the two abandoned the ride and headed off in search of a taxi or bike shop. The delay meant that half a dozen riders were now a considerable distance behind the rest of the group who were unaware of what had happened, and had continued on towards the lunch stop. From Maybury the group continued alongside the A8, crossed the bridge beside the Royal Bank of Scotland HQ and arrived at the Gogarburn Golf Club to find the rest of the group already tucking into lunch.

The golf club did us proud. A really good lunch stop. With lunch over, we were beginning to get ourselves ready to depart when the main drama of the day occurred. A rider had lost their keys. On the bunch was the key to unlock their bike which was fastened to another. Collectively we all searched high and low for the keys without success. Someone suggested we all checked pockets and bags in case they had been picked up by mistake - still nothing. Time was getting on. The hapless rider made a phone call and was going to have to wait for someone to arrive with a spare key. The rest of the group was just about to leave when a rider rather sheepishly said, "are these the keys?" retrieving them from their bag. Fortunately they were. The group gave a sigh of relief and we were soon on our way home. We headed towards Gogarbank Farm, turning off onto a track past Kellerstain. We had a long wait for the traffic lights at a bridge over the railway. It was then that we realised that half a dozen riders at the back were missing. We cut through by the chicken farm to emerge at Edinburgh Park. Despite waiting and sending a rider back to investigate, there was no sign of the others. As Alan was one of those missing, we knew if there was a mechanical issue or they had to make their own way back, they were in capable hands. As a result, we reluctantly pressed on without them. It turned out that the second puncture of the day explained their delay. We made our way back to The Meadows via Sighthill, Broomhouse, Murrayfield, Russell Road and the route we had taken out in the morning. Back at The Meadows, the leader declared [to the depleted field] that the ride was officially over.

Thanks to Graham for leading such a drama-filled ride. A baptism of fire for his first as leader. Also, thanks to him for an interesting route and arranging the great lunch stop. Thanks also to Alan for back marking and dealing with the two punctures.

Leader: Graham (Thompson)

Report: Glenn

Photos: Glenn