What, no trains?

For our third Extra ride of the year we headed to Bo'ness Station on the preserved Bo'ness and Kinneil Railway. Despite it being a summer Saturday, we didn't see a single train. Not sure if we were there at the wrong time, or if none were running; but this was to be our first ever train-free visit. But it was a lovely route, being quiet and peaceful in many parts. It was reasonably warm and alternated between sunny and bright, but overcast. We had a couple of light showers, but they didn't last long. We mustered 23 riders for what was one of the longest and fastest rides of late.

Following the leader's briefing, we left Craigleith and took the familiar route to Cramond Brig via Silverknowes and Barnton. The group had spread out a little, and those further back were most surprised to discover there was no stop on the bridge. Instead we pressed on to the Burnshot Bridge and took the road towards Kirkliston. At this point, one rider left the ride to head home. Apparently, the pace was far too pedestrian for their liking. We turned off the road and made our way up the rough and rocky path to join the old railway path. Whilst most riders were content to wheel their bikes up this section, a few riders commendably rode up. There was a comfort stop at the leisure centre, where not one but two lots of home baking were passed round. Thanks to Ian and the leader for sustaining the group. There followed a short stretch on the road to Winchburgh. A bridge under the M9 motorway, and we turned left onto a quiet road. Another bridge under the M9 and we were in lovely countryside heading towards Niddry Castle. Leaving the road, we joined the delightful Union Canal towpath for the next 4 miles to Philipstoun. At the point where we left the canal were a pair of swans with their signets, in the water. On the recce a couple of weeks ago, the swans were on one side of the path, and the signets on the other. Left with no choice but to cycle between them, pecks from the parents made it clear we were not welcome. From there more quiet roads led us towards the busy A904. We crossed the M9 for the third time, this time the bridge taking us over it. A very short stretch on the busy A904, a left turn and we were again on a quiet road. There followed a delightful downhill run to Blackness where we joined the lovely coast path towards Bo'ness. A short stretch through the woods was rough and unsurfaced, but most of the coast path was wide and well surfaced with beautiful views across the Forth. Through Bo'ness, and we were at our lunch stop at Bo'ness Station. Some of us sat outside to enjoy our picnics, whilst others headed for the café.

With lunch over, we took the coast path back to Blackness, where we joined NCN 76 through Wester Shore Wood and the Hopetoun Estate. This section being by far the roughest and bumpiest of the day. We left the estate and made our way into South Queensferry. Skirting the town, we were soon at Dalmeny village. From there, the path beside the B924 and A90 led us back to Cramond Brig, where we did pause on the bridge. Back to Craigleith by the same route we had taken out. Here the leader declared the ride over.

Shame about the couple of brief showers and not getting to see any trains, but thanks to Neil for leading such a successful ride that was clearly enjoyed by all. Thanks to Mike for back marking.

Leader: Neil

Report: Glenn

Photos: Glenn

July Extra this coming Saturday

 We've got the third of this year's Extra rides coming up on Saturday (27th). Neil will be leading us on what looks like a very pleasant route through West Lothian countryside and coastal paths. Our lunch stop will be at the historic railway station at Bo'ness. I can't promise that we'll see any steam trains, but you never know.

Compared to our usual "Second Saturday" runs, this ride will be long - about 38 miles for the round trip - with an earlier start, a later finish, a somewhat faster pace and fewer stops. Please keep all that in mind when deciding if your fitness level will be right for this ride.

Most of the route will follow quiet roads and off-road paths, including about four miles on the canal towpath and a similar distance along the coastal path through Blackness and the Hopetoun Estate. There will be a few hills, but none of them particularly difficult. We will be on reasonably good surfaces most of the time, with only a couple of short rough sections.

Lunch

The railway station at Bo'ness has a friendly cafe that serves a good range of snacks and light meals. You can either eat inside the cafe or at the picnic tables outside. Of course, you also have the option of bringing your own food for a picnic lunch. Alternatively, you could pick up a sandwich at either the Tesco or the Lidl, both of which are close by.

Time and place

Please note that the ride will start at 10:00, which is half an hour earlier than usual. We'll set out from our alternative meeting point at the Craigleith path junction - see here if you need directions. The ride will end back at Craigleith towards the end of the afternoon.

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

Looking ahead

For August, we again have two rides planned: our standard run on the 10th and another Extra on the 31st. In both cases I'll post he usual details here in good time.

Summer ride in the Pentlands

Those present on today's ride will recognise the irony of the blog post title. Drizzle, light rain, dry but damp and misty - we had the lot on our ride to Harelaw Reservoir. Everything except warmth or sunshine. Early in the ride, one rider said, "if it gets no worse than this, I can put up with it". Granted, it could have been a lot worse, but it is July. Given the weather, it was a pleasant surprise to see 21 riders gather at the start, including several new faces.

It was cool and drizzly as we left the Meadows and made our way to Roseburn Park. A sign at the top of Leamington Terrace told us the road was closed, but threading our way past the sign, we found it wasn't. What we did find was that the road surface was as shockingly bad as ever. We can only hope they are going to resurface it. By the time we reached Roseburn Park, we had encountered no less than three sets of temporary traffic lights. Delays were minimal, and the whole group managed to get through each set. Through the back streets of Balgreen, through Carrick Knowe and Broomhouse and we were negotiating our way through the Gyle centre car park. Via Edinburgh Park, the subway and Gogar Station Road we arrived at Heriot Watt University where we had a comfort stop. Ian passed round delicious homemade cake which would sustain us on the climbs that lie ahead. We left Heriot Watt by the back entrance, through Curriehill and the quiet back streets of Currie to cross Lanark Road West and join the Water of Leith path. In Balerno, we took a slightly different route from our usual one. This one involved the same overall ascent but was spread over a somewhat longer distance, so we  avoided the worst of the gradients. From the number 44 bus terminus, we took a quiet cut through to re-join our usual route at Malleny Mills, and onwards to Harelaw Reservoir. Thanks to the unseasonal weather, the verges on the road to the car park were devoid of cars, and the car park itself was far from full.

Although it was cool and the hills were shrouded in mist, we managed to eat our picnic lunches in the dry. But no sooner had we set off on the homeward leg, the heavy drizzle returned and it turned cooler still. The rough path down towards Clubbiedean was treacherous in places. In the interests of self-preservation, we walked a few short sections. There followed some most welcome surfaced tracks, then more rough stretches. At the bottom of one steep descent was a wooden bridge. It was soaking wet and riding on it was akin to soap on marble. Fortunately, everyone got safely across, but the writer did have a wee heart-in-the-mouth moment. Back on smooth tarmac, all was going well until we met a large SUV heading up towards us. As it took up most of the width of the road, one-by-one we had to squeeze past on the grass verge. All the times we've been down that track over the years, yet no one ever recalled having met a vehicle coming up. The remainder of the descent into Bonaly passed without incident. As did our ride back via Redford, Greenbank and Morningside. At the Meadows, the leader declared the ride officially over.

Thanks to Mike for leading and Alan for back marking. The trip to Harelaw is always enjoyable, but the weather didn't help today. Let's hope for some proper summer weather by the time of our next ride.

Leader: Mike

Report: Glenn

Photos: Glenn

July ride this coming Saturday

 

This is a reminder of our next ride, which will take place this coming Saturday. We'll be heading out to a familiar destination: the Harlaw Reservoir at the edge of the Pentlands. I can promise you a particularly scenic route with pleasant countryside and nice views.

The total distance will be about 24 miles. Inevitably, there will be a fair amount of climbing, especially in the morning (not for nothing are they called the Pentland Hills). However, we will be taking a slightly different route from the usual one. This will involve the same overall ascent but it will be spread over a somewhat longer distance, so we will be avoiding the worst of the gradients.

And we'll be rewarded with some nice downhills in the afternoon. But the afternoon will also see a couple of very rough paths. On previous visits some of us have had to dismount and push on these rough bits; fortunately, they are fairly short.

Lunch arrangements

There are no shops, cafés or other catering outlets anywhere near the reservoir, so it is essential for everyone to bring food and drink for their lunch. Happily the reservoir provides several nice spots for picnics.

Since more than half our mileage will be in the morning, lunch will be a little on the late side. You may wish to bring an extra snack to ward of the hunger pangs on the outward leg.

There are portable (chemical) toilets at the reservoir. We will also stop for a toilet break about half way through the morning.

Time and place

This is the same as always. We'll set out at 10:30 from the north end of Middle Meadow Walk. As you know, there is no advance booking for our rides, so just turn up if you decide to join us.

Please be sure to bring a picnic even if the weather is bad, as we have an alternative spot in mind where we can eat our lunch under cover if necessary.

Looking ahead

Our next Extra ride has been fixed for 27 July. I'll post the usual details here nearer the time. In the meantime, happy pedalling.