Last rays of summer sunshine

I had the pleasure of leading today's final Extra ride of the year to Haddington. We often run the last Extra of the year in September, but this year I opted to take the risk and squeeze one more in - giving us a total of six this year. Psychologically, the last one of the year seems to mark the end of summer. That was certainly the case today as we were blessed with wall-to-wall sunshine, the lightest of winds and not the slightest hint of rain. Yes, the day started very cold, but thanks to the sun and light winds it felt very pleasant by mid-morning, and stayed that way all day. We even sat outside at lunchtime. For once, the forecast had been quite accurate. So, as I waited at the start, I was very surprised when there were only four of us come 1030. Another rider appeared just after I had finished giving the briefing, and another joined us as we rode beside the River Esk.

We were on roads and paths I knew like the back of my hand as the six of us made our way up past Campie School, through the houses, past Musselburgh Station and onwards to Whitecraig. From there we took the cycle path towards Dalkeith, turning off and making our way up past Smeaton Shaw Farm and onwards to join the Pencaitland Railway Path at Crossgatehall. For the next 6.5 miles we rode along the delightful path enjoying lovely views as we headed deeper into East Lothian. Apart from when we had to cross the busy A6093, we were well away from any traffic. Except for the occasional wet patches in sections shaded beneath the trees, the path was lovely to ride on and presented no problems. At the end of the path, we turned left and took the minor road into West Saltoun. A couple of the riders commented on what a lovely little village it was. We were now making our way through lovely farming country on quiet roads. We rode through Samuelston, a settlement so small that if you blinked you'd miss it. Several riders commented on the gorgeous long straight and slightly undulating roads that took us ever closer to Haddington. We stopped at the Grant's Braes Monument, a roadside memorial that marks the exact location of the long-demolished cottage where Agnes Broun (mother of Scotland's national poet, Robert Burns) lived during the final decades of her life with her other son, Gilbert, and daughter, Annabella. Carrying on, we left the road at a sign for NCN 196 which took us down a path to a quaint white footbridge over the River Tyne and on into Haddington. A short ride along the high street and we were in the centre of town. With everyone ready for lunch, we headed to The Loft Café and Bakery, where we enjoyed lunch sitting in the courtyard which was bathed in warm sunshine.

After an enjoyable lunch, we left town on the B6471. At the signpost for NCN 76, we turned right and headed up the side of the East Lothian Community Hospital and joined the Haddington to Longnidddry Path, another former railway line. This lovely traffic-free path took us to Longniddry, where we took the A198 through the village, turned left under the railway bridge carrying the East Coast Main Line (ECML) and up past the new houses. It was on this stretch that we encountered the first impatient drivers of the day. Despite it being a 30 mph zone, several cars couldn't wait to roar past us at the first opportunity. We were soon back on one of those lovely quiet East Lothian roads devoid of traffic. This took us to a level crossing where we recrossed the ECML. We carefully crossed the dual carriageway and took the path which ran alongside it, before joining the road which dropped steeply downhill towards Port Seton. Usually, we would carry straight on down to the coast, but this time we turned left and followed the road to a new junction. Ahead lie "Willie Innes Way", a new road named after a former local councillor which was unfamiliar to most of the group. We had the exceptionally wide shared-use path to ourselves as we rode towards Prestonpans. We took the road through Prestonpsans before joining the familiar John Muir Way back to Musselburgh via The Lagoons. At the Electric Bridge I declared the ride officially over.

Everyone enjoyed the ride with many having been to places that were new to them, including the Pencaitland and Longniddry paths. Despite a particularly cold start, the weather was very good for mid-October making it feel as if summer was signing off in fine style. For those that didn't make it today, you missed a great ride which rounded off our Extra rides for the year with a flourish. We'll definitely do this ride again, but probably earlier in the year. Thanks to Alan for back marking.

Leader: Glenn

Report: Glenn

Photos: Glenn

Our last Extra of the season on Saturday

Our last Extra of 2026 will take place this coming Saturday (17th). We'll be heading deep into East Lothian, on a route that we haven't done as a group since before Covid. The lunch stop will be in the delightful town of Haddington, where there will be a choice of cafés and picnic spots.

Much of the route will be on bike paths, in particular the Longniddry and Pencaitland paths. Both of these offer very pleasant cycling - reasonably flat and with firm surfaces. Other parts of the route will be on quiet roads, although there will be a short stretch on a main road that might be busy with traffic. There will only be a few gentle hills, none of which should cause us any difficulties.

We will meet at Fisherrow Harbour in Musselburgh, in time for a 10:30 start (see here if you need directions). The total distance (Fisherrow to Fisherrow) will be 34 miles. For those coming from central Edinburgh, add about seven miles each way.

Please keep in mind that our Extra rides are longer than our usual "second Saturday" runs and go at a somewhat faster pace. Most of our regular riders find these rides are within their comfort zone, but it's something to take into account if you are unsure of your fitness level.

A rather blustery day

As Winnie the Pooh once said, "it looks like a rather blustery day, today". That was certainly the case for our ride taking us on a tour of bike paths and quiet roads in the south of the city, with a lunch stop at Mortonhall Garden Centre. Despite the blustery conditions, the sun was out most of the time and it even felt warm for a couple of short spells, and it remained dry. The fourteen assembled riders were a mixture of regulars and a few we hadn't seen for a while. It was great to see Mike back with us having missed most of the summer months.

Following his typically in-depth briefing, Alan led us away on our usual route to the Innocent Railway. Through the tunnel; at Duddingston Road West, the short path and King's Haugh took us through the Peffermill Industrial Estate, before crossing Peffermill Road and heading into Craigmillar Castle Park. We crossed Old Dalkeith Road, made our way through Inch Park. A short way along Gilmerton Road saw us turn right and head up Double Hedges Road and right down Kirk Brae to the traffic lights. The lights turned green, and despite an ambulance approaching, we all got safely across without impeding its progress. Leaving the busy junction behind, we rode along Blackford Glen Road and continued along the stony path once the tarmac ran out. This took us through the Hermitage of Braid which was busy with walkers, dogs and a few cyclists. After a quick comfort stop, there followed a short, stiff climb up Braid Road before we turned off and paused for a breather. Through quiet suburban streets and we were soon on Braid Hills Drive. It wasn't too blustery on this stretch, the traffic wasn't heavy, and sunshine and clear blue skies afforded us glorious views looking north-east over the city which at least one rider commented on. We turned right and took a minor road beside Braid Hills Golf Course. The road petered out to a gravel track, before returning to tarmac as we passed the Stables Bar and Mortonhall Campsite. From there it was a short ride to Mortonhall Garden Centre for our lunch stop. The majority of the riders headed to the café, with a few hardy souls opting to picnic outside.

Today's ride was shorter than usual, and with more miles before lunch than after, a relatively short afternoon's ride and early finish was on the cards. We left the garden centre and turned right along the wide footpath. Previously we've joined the fast and busy road which is not pleasant especially on hitting a drawn-out climb just before we turn off. This turned out to be a very sensible decision. Just past the Marie Curie Hospice, we crossed the road and took a quiet rural road past a farm to emerge in a housing estate in Fairmilehead. We crossed the busy Biggar Road and entered another housing estate at Swanston. We became spread out and the second part of the group missed a turning. Realising the error, they turned round and retraced the route, met up with the others and regrouped. Fortunately the group stayed together after that. Fortunately, because the twists and turns that followed were considerable. Thanks to Alan for expertly leading us through that section. It was reminiscent of twisting our way through the houses on the way to Aberdour. There followed a ride on the path that runs beside the fast and busy Dreghorn Link. We soon left that behind and found ourselves on a path that skirted Oxgangs. Through Braidburn Valley Park, across Comiston Road and we were on the quiet backroads of Morningside. Unfortunately, these are now devoid of the barriers that allowed cyclists to take the most direct route whilst forcing other traffic to meander around slowing their progress. The familiar route via Canaan Lane, Whitehouse Loan and Bruntsfield Links saw us return to The Meadows where Alan declared the ride officially over.

Thanks to Alan for leading an enjoyable ride that the blustery winds failed to spoil. Thanks to Alison for back marking.

Leader: Alan

Report: Glenn

Photos: Glenn

October ride this coming Saturday

We've got our October ride coming up on Saturday (10th). Alan will be leading us on a tour of bike paths and quiet roads in the south of the city, taking in Craigmillar Castle Park, Inch Park, Blackford Glen, the Hermitage of Braid and the Winton Estate. It won't be a particularly long ride - just under twenty miles - but there will be one or two steep-ish hills as well as at least one rough stretch where we may have to dismount.

Lunch

For our lunch stop, we will visit the garden centre at Mortonhall. There is a spacious cafe there, offering a selection of snacks and light meals. There is also space to sit outside for those of us who prefer to bring a packed lunch.

Meeting time and place

This is the same as always: 10:30 at the north end of Middle Meadow Walk. The ride will end around the middle of the afternoon, although that will of course depend on progress, punctures and other factors.

And as you don't need me to remind you, all our rides are free, with no advance booking.

One more Extra

We're also planning another ride this month - on the 17th. This will be the last of our 2026 Extra rides. I'll post details of that event in good time. Until then, note the date.

20 Milers Extra ride to Dunfermline

Unfortunately, neither of the group's two scribes could make today's ride, resulting in no report or photos. Apologies for that.

Feedback from the leader (Alan) is that a good day was had by all. It was dull as the twelve riders set out on the fifth Extra ride of the year, but the sun came out at the Forth Road Bridge and stayed out for the remainder of the ride. Most of the riders opted for a picnic lunch in Pittencrieff Park, with a small number heading for the café. The new route was a great success.

Extra ride to Dunfermline this coming Saturday

We are planning another of our Extra rides for this coming Saturday (26th). Under Alan's leadership, we will be heading over the Forth Road Bridge and into Fife, with a lunch stop in Dunfermline. Alan has worked out a route that avoids the worst of the busy roads that we have faced on this ride in the past, although there will still be a few short stretches where we will encounter some traffic. For the most part, though, we will be riding on quiet roads and well-surfaced paths. There will be a number of hills in the morning but no real killers (and some nice free-wheeling in the afternoon). The total distance will be 30 - 32 miles.

Please remember that these Extras go at a faster pace than our normal rides, with fewer stops. They are suitable for those of our riders who find our usual runs well within their capabilities. Those who are less fit or who haven't cycled for a while might prefer to avoid this one.

Lunch arrangements

Our lunch stop will be in Pittencrieff Park in the centre of Dunfermline. This is a lovely park and an ideal spot for a picnic, so I suggest you bring a packed lunch. Alternatively, there is a cafe in the park, serving a soup of day and a good range of snacks and hot and cold drinks.

Meeting time and place

For this ride, we'll assemble at the Craigleith path junction (see here if you need directions). Please aim to get there in time for a 10:30 departure.

Looking ahead, our next 20-mile ride will take place on 10 October. As usual, I'll post full details here nearer the time.

A rather blowy ride to Roslin

Not far into today's ride to Roslin one rider was heard to say, "it's rather blowy today". That turned out to be a perfect description. There was a noticeable wind that stayed with us all day, we endured a couple of showers, but the temperature was probably about average for early September. The forecast had suggested we would have a mixture of light rain and showers all day, so it was better than that. Roslin has been a regular destination over the years, but whoever is leading always seems to manage to shake up the route just enough to make it a little different. The same thing happened today courtesy of Alison who was leading her second 20 Milers ride in as many months. Given the weather forecast, a turn out of twelve riders was neither unexpected nor disappointing.

With the briefing over, Alison led us away from The Meadows and into the Park via Holyrood Park Road. A short distance along Duddingston Low Road and we dropped down to join the Innocent Railway. We remained on it as far as Bingham, where we turned right under the bridge, up Hay Avenue and across Niddrie Mains Road. Edinburgh Council Quiet Route 61 took us through Niddrie and onwards to the Royal Infirmary. Having crossed Old Dalkeith Road we rode through Mordun, Burdiehouse Burn Valley Park and emerged on Lasswade Road. The shared use path then took us down to Gilmerton Station Road where we joined the Gilmerton to Roslin path. Near Loanhead we stopped to don waterproofs as we now had heavy drizzle to contend with. The writer [as an Englishman who has lived in Scotland for over 35 years] still can't get used to that uniquely Scottish phenomenon where there is rain and bright sunshine at the same time. We carried on across the impressive Bilston Glen Viaduct to arrive in Roslin. The heavy drizzle continued, but soon eased and gave way to blue skies. We spread out between the pub and tea room, whilst the picnickers settled on the benches on the grassy area beside the road.

We regrouped after lunch with those that had been to the tea room telling us that the service had been very slow. We retraced our outward route as far as Lasswade Road. The blue skies had given way to grey, and light rain came and went. At Gilmerton Dykes Road we headed into the new housing estate, where a mixture of quiet roads and paths led us to a sharp steep climb up Ellen's Glen Loan. Following a pause to regroup and get our breath back, we continued along Ellen's Glen Road before turning left onto Gilmerton Road for a short distance. Another left turn onto Double Hedges Road, down Kirk Brae and up Mayfield Road. We turned off and made our way through King's Buildings, crossed West Mains Road, through The Grange and returned to The Meadows where Alison declared the ride officially over.

Thanks to Alison for leading an enjoyable ride that had taken many to places they had not been before. Thanks to Saqib for back marking.

Leader: Alison

Report: Glenn

Photos: Glenn