Even Mike hasn't been to some of these places

For today's ride we were back to our usual full-day format after our recent programme of half-day mid-winter rides. But given the weather first thing, it still felt a lot like mid-winter. Despite a substantial overnight frost, the dry ground meant there was no problem with slippery surfaces. It was far from warm, but the clear blue skies and sunshine were most welcome. The frost obviously kept many away, resulting in a mere nine riders making the start. Surprisingly, we had one new rider amongst the small group.  During the leader's briefing, Steve told us we would be going on an interesting tour of bike paths, back streets and parks in the east and north of the city. He also promised us that we would be going to places none of us had been before; and to add gravitas, he said, "even Mike hasn't been to some of these places!" The morning saw us head to Ocean Terminal for a relatively early lunch. The actual route may not have been that familiar, but at least the majority knew where they were. That was in stark contrast to the [longer] afternoon part of the ride.

With the briefing over, we made our way into Holyrood Park and along Duddingston Low Road, where we had to dismount and walk a short distance beside the barriers by the unstable rockface. From Duddingston village, we took Meadowfield Drive, Queen's Park Avenue and Royal Park Terrace before cutting through to Lower London Road. Having crossed London Road, we were soon riding through Lochend Park past the ice-covered pond. Having left the park, we continued on to join the cycle path to Leith Links and made our way to the Shore. Across the Victoria Swing Bridge, along Ocean Drive past Victoria Quay, through a couple of quiet backstreets and we were at Ocean Terminal for an early lunch stop.

With lunch over, we left Ocean Terminal and made our way along the cobbles [and disused rail tracks] of the quiet street that runs between Victoria Quay and Commercial Street. Passing Leith Market, we crossed Commercial Street and were soon being given an history lesson by Steve on St Ninian's Chapel - a very impressive building tucked away down a quiet backstreet. He then expertly led us through unfamiliar streets and Pilrig Park to arrive at The Tram Shed off Shrubhill Walk. Here Steve explained the history of the iconic building and its evolution from the Shrubhill tramway workshops and power station to the luxury flats of today. Passing the Museum of Scottish Fire Heritage, we rode along McDonald Road, through St Marks Park and along the Chancelot Path to the Five Ways Junction. We continued along the path that runs beside Lower Granton Road, and onwards to visit the Granton Gas Holder. Steve then led us through Forthquarter Park and along West Shore Road. As we headed into Muirhouse on the new North Edinburgh Path Network we were all well and truly into unchartered territory with no idea where we were. Fortunately Steve knew his way around the area and led us back to the Blackhall Path, where we were all able to say, "now I know where I am". From there, it was an easy ride back to the Meadows on familiar paths and roads via Craigleith Junction, the Roseburn Path and the canal. At the Meadows, Steve declared the ride officially over.

Everyone enjoyed what was a really good ride. Thanks to Steve for leading us to new places and informing us of the history of places along the route. Even the weather turned out OK after a frosty start. It wasn't as cold as expected, and the sunshine and clear blue skies were an added bonus. Thanks to Mike for back marking.

Leader: Steve

Report: Glenn

Photos: Glenn

Full-day ride this coming Saturday

We've got our February run coming up next Saturday (14th). This time we will be back to our usual full-day format after our recent programme of half-day midwinter rides.

Steve will be leading us on what looks like an interesting tour of bike paths, back streets and parks in the east and north of the city. The route will be similar to the one that Steve led this time last year, but with some interesting variations, including a chance to see various bits of new cycling infrastructure.

The total distance will be about 20 miles. There will be a bit of climbing near the start, but most of the route will be fairly flat. We'll mainly be riding on firm surfaces, apart from one stretch that might be a bit muddy. Watch out too for some cobbled streets along the way, including some with embedded rail lines. Fortunately, these are all fairly short.

Lunch stop

Our lunch stop will be at the Ocean Terminal. I'm pleased to report that there is now some indoor seating there which will be suitable for those of us who like to bring a packed lunch. But you can still choose to take your picnic on the veranda if you prefer. There are also the usual take-away outlets, including a Starbucks and a Greggs, where you can pick up a hot drink and a sandwich.

Logistics

Nothing new here. We'll gather at our usual spot at the north end of Middle Meadow Walk in time for a 10:30 departure. Like all our rides, this one is free and open to all, and there's no need to tell us in advance whether or not you plan to attend.

Looking ahead, next month's ride will take place on 14 March. Look out for more information about that nearer the time.

A chilly January jaunt

The original plan for today was to head out on the Water of Leith path, returning by a high route along Woodhall Road and through Bonaly. But with temperatures barely reaching zero, and reports of extensive icy patches on many bike paths and minor roads, we opted for a different route – one that involved staying in town, and on roads that were likely to have been gritted.

Seven of set out from the Meadows, which was not a bad turnout considering the conditions. We started down The Mound and Dundas Street, and then on to Canonmills and along Inverleith Row towards Leith. Fortunately, the traffic was light, and, up to that point, we did not encounter any serious ice.

We cautiously crossed Leith Links and then onto the Restalrig Path. At first, all was well. But about half way along the path, we came up against some serious slippery stretches, with the ramp leading up to Lochend Road being all but impassable. We had been aiming for Lochend Park and Meadowbank, but when one of the group slipped and fell on the ice (fortunately she was unhurt), we decided on another change of plan.

So we left the Restalrig Path at Easter Road, then weaved through back streets to Leith Walk. We stayed on the segregated bike lane to the top of the Walk, then into Leith Street and across Waterloo Place. The final leg took us over North Bridge and into Chambers Street to the National Museum, at which point the ride was declared over and we went our separate ways.

At slightly less than an hour and half in the saddle and seven miles on the clock, it was not exactly a long run, but the general feeling was that we had made the best of the morning, despite the difficult conditions. And although the temperature remained around zero the whole time, at least it stayed dry and reasonably sunny.

Next month we will have a normal full-day ride. With luck, the weather will have improved by then. (But don't hold me to that.)

Leaders: Alison and Mike

Report: Mike

 

half-day ride this coming Saturday

We've got our first ride of 2026 coming up on Saturday (10th). This will again be a half-day run, ending at around 1 pm at or near the Meadows. We will not be organising an official lunch stop, but there are plenty of cafes, sandwich shops and pubs near the finish point for anyone who wants to go for a post-ride meal or snack.

Alison will be our leader on Saturday. She'll be taking us on a pleasant route along the Water of Leith to just beyond Colinton, and then back via Woodhall Road and Bonaly. The outward leg will be mostly flat, but there will be a couple of moderate hills on the way home. Most of the route will be on quiet roads and well-surfaced paths, apart from one rough track that might be a little muddy, and a couple of short stretches on main roads where we might see some traffic. The total distance will be about 14 miles.

As always, we'll set out at 10:30 from our usual meeting point at the north end of Middle Meadow Walk. And, as always, the ride is free and open to all on a "just turn up" basis.

Keep in mind that the route details given here are provisional. Although it doesn't happen very often, there is always the possibility that we will have to change the route at short notice, depending on conditions on the day. But even when that happens, the meeting time and place will always be as advertised.

We'll look forward to seeing as many of you as possible on Saturday. And, looking ahead, our February run will be on 14th, when we will be back to our usual full-day format.

Christmas morning ride

This is a reminder of Jim Cameron's half-day ride which is coming up next Thursday (25th December, Christmas morning). This is not an official 20-Milers event, but Jim tells me that all those who cycle with us will be welcome to come along. Like our own rides, this one is free, with no advance booking.

One of the attractions of cycling on Christmas morning is that there is much less traffic than usual, which makes it nicer to visit places where we might not otherwise care to pedal. In this case, the ride will take in parts of the West End, Princes Street, Calton Hill and Leith. The pace will be leisurely with plenty of stops.

The ride will start from the Black Sheep café at 56 Shandwick Place. Get there around 10:00 if you want to join Jim for a pre-ride coffee. The ride itself will set out at 10:30. It will finish around midday at the Mosque Kitchen in Nicholson Street, where those who want to have lunch can do so.

If you have any questions about this event, please contact  Jim direct: 07760 455819 or Easycycle@JimCameron.Co.uk.

Looking ahead, the first 20-Milers of 2026 will on 10 January. Look out for more details of that ride nearer the time.

Just right for December

Today saw us head to Lauriston Castle for our last ride of 2025. As is now the custom, our December and January rides are shorter than usual being half day rides finishing around 1300 back at the Meadows with no lunch stop. We had a new leader in Julie Matthews. Whilst Julie has led other rides, this was her first time at the helm with the 20 Milers. The weather forecast suggested it would get windier, with strong winds and rain by the time we finished. Fortunately, the weather was kinder to us than expected. Yes, it was windy at times, but not too bad; the strong winds held off until after the ride had finished, and the rain stayed off until everyone was home. Given the forecast and the fact that it's the December ride, a low turnout would not have been a surprise. Instead we had a very respectable eighteen riders make the start.

Following Julie's briefing, we left the Meadows and headed to Leamington Bridge via Bruntsfield Links. The novelty of riding down the smooth road that is Leamington Terrace remains several months after it was resurfaced; if only more roads in Edinburgh were like that. From there, we pressed on via the canal, Fountain Park, across the Western Approach Road and the new cycle path to the zig-zags on Russell Road. We paused there whilst the leader briefed us on the next section of the route. Instead of heading through Roseburn Park as we so often do, we made our way up to Roseburn Terrace and took the CCWEL cycle path to Wester Coates Terrace, where we joined the Roseburn Path to Craigleith junction. We then took the Blackhall Path; a familiar route as if we were heading to Barnton, but instead of going straight over at the crossing on Quality Street, we turned right to join the busy Cramond Road South and into Lauriston Castle Park. We paused in front of the castle whilst Mike offered round sweets to the riders. 

Leaving the park, we turned right to re-join the busy Cramond Road South. In the interests of safety and consideration for other road-users, the leader had us split into three groups of six for this section. At the traffic lights we turned right onto Cramond Road North. A short distance further on we turned right and headed through an archway. A slightly muddy path led us through lovely grounds to Cramond Kirk Hall. After a brief pause we headed out onto Cramond Glebe Road to emerge on the esplanade beside the River Almond. Whilst it wasn't warm, it was nothing like as cold and windy as it might have been, so we paused for a while to admire the views. We then made our way along the quiet Silverknowes Promenade, before climbing up to Marine Drive. The signs told us that Silverknowes Road was closed, but we rode up it anyway. One half of the road surface had been scraped off, but the other half was fine. The old barriers were gone and we didn't have to share the space with other traffic. So it was a pleasant climb up. It had been recced previously, of course. At the roundabout, instead of going straight up the hill to the Blackhall Path, we turned right along Lauriston Farm Road and up Silverknowed Drive to get there. From there it was an easy run back to the Craigleith junction, along the Roseburn Path and down the zig-zags at Russell Road. We then more-or-less retraced our outward route back to the Meadows where the leader announced the ride officially over.

Everyone enjoyed the ride, which given the time of year and the weather was just right. Fortunately, the weather was better than expected. Thanks to Julie for leading us on an interesting ride. Thanks to Mike for middle-marking and Alan for back-marking.

Leader: Julie

Report: Glenn

Photos: Glenn

December run coming up on Saturday

We've got our last ride of 2025 coming up on Saturday (13th). As is now our custom, this December run will be shorter than most: just half a day, finishing at around 13:00. This is partly because of the winter weather and partly because of the difficulty of finding suitable lunch venues during the festive season.

For this ride, one of our long-standing members, Julie Matthews, will be making her debut as a ride leader. Julie will be taking us out towards Davidson's Mains and Cramond, with possible stops at Lauriston Castle and Cramond Kirk. The exact route will depend in part on conditions on the day, but it is likely to be about 14 miles. I don't foresee any difficulties except for the fairly steep - but short - climb up from Silverknowes Esplanade.

We'll set out from our usual spot at the north end of Middle Meadow Walk at 10:30. We'll aim to finish the ride at or near the Meadows. If anyone wants to go for lunch after the ride, they will find an ample choice of  cafes, pubs and sandwich shops near the finish point, but that won't be part of the official programme.

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

Christmas morning

Another of our long-standing members, Jim Cameron, will again be leading a short ride on Christmas morning (25 December). This is not a 20-Milers event, but Jim says that anyone who cycles with us will be welcome to come along. Like our own rides, this one will be free, with no advance booking.

The ride will start at the  Black Sheep cafe, 56 Shandwick Place, at 10:30. Those wanting a pre-ride coffee can gather there from 10:00. It will end around midday at the Mosque Kitchen in Nicholson Street, which will be open for those who would like to go for lunch or a snack.

Nearer the time, I'll post a reminder of this ride, along with more details of the route.

Looking ahead, our first ride in 2026 will be on 10 January, and that will be another half-day run. We'll get back to our normal full-day format in February. In the meantime, happy pedalling.