A familiar location, a few novel variations and a new leader

Today saw us head to a familiar location - South Queensferry. This was Saqib's inaugural ride as leader, and he added in a few novel variations to our usual route options. In addition to the new leader, it was good to see some new faces amongst the 19 riders that gathered at the start. The forecast for showers in the afternoon hadn't put people off, which was fortunate as they failed to materialise. It was mainly overcast with a few sunny intervals making it feel reasonably warm when they appeared. But there was a cool wind that kept the temperature down for most of the ride. As that stalwart of the 20 Milers, the late Logan Strang used to say, "it's chilly for June".

With the briefing over, Saqib led us away from The Meadows to the Telfer Subway via Bruntsfield Links, Leamington Bridge and Fountain Park. Across the Western Approach Road, along the new cycle path to Russell Road, and through Roseburn as if we were heading for Murrayfield. This is where we had our first deviation from the norm as we went up Roseburn Place, across Roseburn Terrace and took the cycle path towards the city centre. We weren't on the path long before heading left up Coates Terrace to join the Roseburn Path. At Craigleith Retail Park we joined the Blackhall Path and continued via Davidson's Mains and Barnton to Old Cramond Brig, where we had an obligatory pause. The NCN1 path beside the A90 took us to the Chapel Gate entrance to the Dalmeny Estate, where we regrouped. All together again, we took the road up to Dalmeny village. In another change to the norm, we turned right in the village and headed down past the road to Dalmeny station, then left on the B924 and down the hill into South Queensferry. We headed under the magnificent Forth Rail Bridge and through the town to our lunch stop at the steps with panoramic views of the three bridges. It was disappointing to see that the cycle racks have been removed with a big useless space there instead. Let's hope they put them back.

With lunch over we headed back out of town, this time taking the track into the Dalmeny Estate beneath the rail bridge. The route through the estate was as lovely as ever with delightful gravel tracks and a couple of stiff little climbs to see us emerge back at Cramond Brig. Down the hill, a brief pause on Old Cramond Brig and we retraced our outward route from the morning. But this time, we remained on the Roseburn Path to the zig-zags at Russell Road. From there, we headed to Leamington Bridge where the leader declared the ride officially over.

Thanks to Saqib for leading us on a familiar route with a couple of interesting variations to keep us on our toes, which was well received. Thanks to Alan for back marking.

Leader: Saqib

Report: Glenn

Photos: Glenn