November's ride

November - the clocks have gone back, the nights are drawing in... perfect time for another bike ride.

For our November ride (Saturday 8th) we'll be heading out to Cramond, via the city centre, Inverleith and Davidson's Mains parks, then following cycle paths from Cramond to the new Waterfront development. Given the time of year we're aiming to have our lunch stop at the new Morrison's supermarket cafe (or there are picnic areas outside should the weather be lovely, like it was for our February ride!) then we'll head back through the North Edinburgh cycle path network to Leith Links and return to the starting point via Lochend Park and Holyrood Park. The distance is almost exactly 20 miles, and there are a couple of smallish hills. We should be back at the starting point around 3.30pm. It might be a good idea to bring lights, especially if the weather is dull or you know it will take you a while to get home after the ride.

Meet: 10.30, at the north end of Middle Meadow Walk (junction of Lauriston Place). There are coffee shops and a supermarket near by if you'd like to pick up picnic provisions.
Cost and booking: Free; just turn up. No need to book.
Further information: Mike Lewis (0131 343 2520) or Chris Pearson (0131 343 2685) or email 20milers at gmail dot com.

Ride report - October

October's ride to Prestonpans

Today's weather was beautifully sunny, if slightly windy, and we went about 25 miles out to Prestonpans. There were about 20 people on this month's ride, and we made good time through Holyrood Park, some quiet back streets in Willowbrae and Northfield and then onto Route 1 as far as Brunstane, where we joined a muddy track along the Brunstane Burn. There was only 1 bit where the majority vote was to push our bikes (although those that cycled ended up a bit less muddy than those of us who pushed!)

We then joined the Edinburgh road into Musselburgh and mustered at the Promenade (it takes a while to get across the road, by which time the leading group has disappeared round the corner! - no one got lost though which is good).

We followed the coast as far as Prestonpans - this is varied terrain, ranging from roads, tarmac paths and then some grassy paths at the Eastern end, in the Levenhall ash lagoons. These lagoons were made from the spoil from Cockenzie power station, just along the road, and apart from the active dumping areas, are now being converted into some nice nature reserves (and are a quiet place to learn to windsurf too). We stopped off briefly at Prestongrange Museum, an early Industrial Park, it seems. Then on to lunch at the Gothenburg pub, where they coped pretty well with a sudden influx of 20 hungry cyclists.

After lunch we had today's Hill (Falside - only 144m from the Ordnance Survey map, but from sea level I felt every metre). There is a Tower House (Castle) at the summit so it's easy to see how near (or far) you are. After the summit of course there's the payback on the downhill stretch - my top speed was 29.6mph - my new bike has disc brakes which are my favourite feature - makes braking on that sort of hill so much more reliable and it was such fun going whoosh!

Then we wended our way back into town via Musselburgh golf course and the River Esk, then Route 1 all the way back to Middle Meadow Walk. We finished at about 4.30pm and total cycling time was about 3h10mins for me, average speed about 8mph.


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Saturday 11th October

We've got another excellent ride in prospect for this Saturday (11th October). Under the knowledgeable leadership of Chris Pearson, we'll be heading east along the coast, aiming for the historic village of Prestonpans -- noted for its murals, its 18th-century battle site, and its more recent industrial heritage.

Our lunch stop will be at the celebrated Gothenburgh pub, where there will be hot food on offer. For hardy folk who prefer eating al fresco, there are a couple of pleasant picnic spots nearby.

The total distance will be just over the nominal 20 miles. The route will be reasonably flat, and will be mainly on dedicated bike paths, with a short section on a shared-use path alongside a main road. There'll also be a couple of short stretches in traffic, but we'll take these slowly and carefully.

Meet: 10.30, at the north end of Middle Meadow Walk (junction of Lauriston Place). There are coffee shops and a supermarket near by if you'd like to pick up picnic provisions.
Cost and booking: Free; just turn up. No need to book.
Further information: Mike Lewis (0131 343 2520) or Chris Pearson (0131 343 2685).