July's ride to Dalkeith

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Fifteen 20-milers braved the climate for Ken's outing. Their courage and/or foolhardiness was well rewarded - the sun broke through and shone down on the whole run. From the usual starting place at Middle Meadow Walks, we ran down Queen's park past Dynamic Earth, then a quick uphill puff to Willowbrae Road and the Piershill cemetery.

Pausing to honour the Craigentinny marbles, we then returned to the Fishwives Causeway and on to Portobello promenade and so to Musselburgh, where a quick whizz along the West bank of the Esk took us along the Inveresk paths behind Mus. Golf club. From there we spun along Cowpits Road to Whitecraigs and then on into the Dalkieth Country park.

A very pleasant Lunch ensued in the Stables Bistro in the Park, after which Ken took us past the famous play area and along some rarely trodden tracks around the interior of the Park, emerging to rejoin the Innocent near Old Craighall and a breezy return ride back to the tunnel, where folk went their separate ways.

No punctures, and sunshine throughout, provided that is that you cycled home reasonably quickly, unlike your scribe who spent too long at the Canal Festival afterwards and had to dodge the lightning bolts on the way home.

Cheers and hope to see you all next run (13Aug)

Ride led by Ken
Report by Jim