"Why did it have to rain on my parade?"

 Having established herself as an integral member of the 20 Milers, today Yaz stepped up to lead her first ride. Her question, "why did it have to rain on my parade?" summed up the weather. It was dry when we started, but within minutes the rain began to fall. It was certainly heavier than the forecasted "light showers". Fortunately, the rain had almost stopped as we arrived in South Queensferry for lunch. The afternoon was just about dry, but we were all back home long before the sun made its first appearance of the day. The 21 riders that arrived at the start made this our highest turn out since our rides recommenced in August. It was a bit of a surprise, especially considering a far from promising weather forecast. Following an impressive maiden leader's speech from Yaz, we rolled away from the Meadows to Leamington Bridge via Toll Cross. Just beyond the bridge, we paused briefly whilst waterproofs were donned. In rain that was heavy enough to be unpleasant, we followed the well worn route to Dalry Road via Fountain Park and the Telfer Subway. Negotiating the roadworks and one way system at Murieston involved a short walk along the pavement. Back on the bikes, we climbed the zig-zags to join the Roseburn Path to Craigleith. The rain wasn't getting any heavier, but neither did it show any sign of easing. We took the Blackhall Path and made our way through Barnton to Cramond Brig. 

The leader held a brief conference with a couple of experienced leaders, and concluded that given the under-wheel conditions, it made sense to abandon the planned route through the Dalmeny Estate. It was an unfortunate, but necessary choice given the conditions. It would have been quite treacherous in places. After informing the group of the change, we headed off following the path alongside the A90 instead. As we headed towards the Chapel Gate entrance to the Dalmeny Estate, a rider fell. Fortunately, it happened at low speed and caused no damage or injury. They picked them self up, brushed themselves down and we were rolling again. Through Dalmeny village and along the path that emerged beside the Co-op and we were in South Queensferry. As we'd arrived at the opposite end of town due to the change of route, we had to make our way through the one way system to Hawes Pier for our lunch stop. Those that got themselves sorted quickly made it to the pub. Those that weren't so quick arrived to find there was no room left, and ended up eating alfresco on the sea front alongside the picnickers. It had just about stopped raining, but there was nowhere to shelter and riders were still wet from the earlier rain. As a result, several riders opted to abandon the ride and head home.

We regrouped after lunch, and with a depleted field, made our way back through town. It's great that the road is one way for motor vehicles [whilst being two way for cycles], but the narrow roads and concern that drivers don't realise this to be the case was a slight worry. The rain had stopped. Although it hadn't got any warmer and the sun hadn't appeared, wet gloves etc. were beginning to dry. Up the steep little hill to the Co-op and we were back on the path to Dalmeny village. Back alongside the A90 and we were soon taking a longer pause at Cramond Brig. As the group got moving again, a couple of riders were dawdling until the backmarker uttered the words, "come on. My tea's getting cold!" At the cycle and footpath link between Barnton Avenue West and Barnton Avenue we were held up by a car exiting the drive of one of the houses. Obviously they have every right to exit their drive (and did allow us to squeeze past); but meeting a car there was a big surprise, even to those that have used that path numerous times. From there we retraced the outward route from the morning. The closer we got to town, the more riders peeled off and headed home. Six of us made it back to the Meadows where the leader announced the ride officially over and heaved a sigh of relief.

Thanks to Yaz for doing such a good job of leading her first ride. The weather did her no favours, but deciding to scrap the route through the Dalmeny Estate was definitely right. Everyone seemed to enjoy the ride, despite the weather and thanked the leader. Thanks to Alan for back marking. A final word from the writer; Ken will be, and Logan would have been so proud of you. Well done! 

Leader: Yaz

Report: Glenn

Photos: Glenn

Far from the madding [Christmas] crowds

For the final standard 20 Milers ride of the year, we headed out to the Heriot Watt University campus at Riccarton. We can usually guarantee a good lunch there and it isn't somewhere that becomes crazily busy in the run-up to Christmas. We have been there several times this year, but always via a different route. With the exception of the first section getting away from the Meadows, today's route followed that from February's ride taking us into Covenanters Wood beside Dreghorn Barracks. On that ocassion the ride had to be curtailed due to very strong winds and we didn't make it as far as Heriot Watt.

Today's weather forecast was for low single figure (degrees C) temperatures, showers and the possibility of strong gusty winds by the afternoon. Fortunately, the gusty winds held off until the ride was over. That and the fact that Christmas is just around the corner could have led to a very low turnout. So to get fifteen starters was quite impressive including two first-timers. Following the customary briefing from the leader, we headed away from the Meadows by a distinctly unfamiliar route through Marchmont, the Grange, the foot of Blackford Hill and Cluny Gardens. From there we climbed the hill of Midmar Avenue and Midmar Drive past the large impressive houses. Along Hermitage Drive and Braidburn Terrace saw us back to familiar territory heading through Braidburn Valley Park and the route past Colinton Mains Park to arrive at the entrance to the woodland known as Covenanters Wood or Dreghorn Woods. The plan had been to take the path that wound through the Giant sequoia trees, but a quick inspection by the leader suggested that path was waterlogged.

Instead we took the drier path that ran beside the razor wire fence seperating the woods from Dreghorn Barracks and past the remains of the First World War training trenches. Prior to exiting the woods, we stopped for a few minutes as cakes and sweets were passed around. Via the back streets of Bonaly and Colinton, we made our way onto the muddy Water of Leith path. It was on this path that we pulled to one side as a group of a dozen horses came past from the opposite direction. It must have been a Christmas-themed ride as most of the horses were wearing tinsel and antlers. Leaving the path, a short steep climb took us up to Lanark Road West. Across there and the back streets of Currie led us past Curriehall station and into the Heriot Watt campus for our lunch stop. The cafe there was busier than usual which meant they had run out of some choices, much to the dismay of some on the group. After all, the 20 Milers is renowned for cycling on its stomach.





Despite the slight hiccup, everyone got some lunch and we were ready to head off again. The showers continued and the wind speed was beginning to rise, but nothing too serious and we were now on the homeward leg. The route home was more familiar than the one out - Edinburgh Park, South Gyle station via The Gyle Park, through Broomhouse and Carrick Knowe to Murrayfield. From there we made our way back towards town via Roseburn Park, Russell Road, the Telfer subway, Fountain Park and the canal. At the Leamington Bridge, the leader declared the ride over.

Thanks to Mike for leading an interesting ride with a good mix of familiar and less familiar route sections. Everyone seemed to have enjoyed the ride, we survived the minor hiccup at lunch and the weather had been better than expected. Finally, thanks to Yaz for doing a great job of back marking for the second time this year. If the phrase,  "final standard 20 Milers ride of the year" confused anyone, don't forget the final ride of 2019 will be the half day one on Christmas Day.

Leader: Mike
Report: Glenn
Photos: Glenn