Tomorrow's ride (Saturday 10th) will take in some interesting bike paths in the north of the city and along the waterfront, with a lunch stop at Cramond Brig. The total distance will be 19 miles (or shorter if the weather's bad).
Update (Sunday 11 December): We decided to cancel yesterday's ride because of an overnight fall of snow which was covering the city. Apologies for anyone hoping to do the ride, and thanks to Alan for taking the trouble to turn up at the Meadows to advise people of the cancellation.
Showing posts with label 30milers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 30milers. Show all posts
Friday, 9 December 2011
Monday, 31 October 2011
Long ride to Almondell (30th October)
Sixteen intrepid cyclists turned up on a beautiful morning for the re-run of the ride that was originally planned for 20th August. The route took us westward from the Water of Leith Visitor Centre up Lanark Road. We turned off just after Redhall Garden for the canal where we stayed for a few miles, then exited at Hermiston House Road to cross the busy A71 and head through the Heriot Watt campus.
From there we took Long Dalmahoy Road, turned off at Gowanhill Farm Road and headed for the railway crossing. With everyone across the railway safely (we managed to avoid a Virgin Voyager) we proceeded up the steep hill (some veterans even managed the whole hill without stopping). At the top we had a break to admire the fabulous view and take on refreshments before heading for Lanark Road West – another busy road.
Once safely across we headed down to the Water of Leith towards Balerno and on to Cockburnhill Road. It may have been the effect of the time change but several riders were experiencing hunger pangs by this time (12 noon).No lunch yet I’m afraid.
A strong headwind challenged us for a couple of miles on the A70. It was all worth it though when we turned right into Leyden Road and a fabulous long descent to Kirknewton and Almondell, where we split into two groups. Eight of us opted to picnic at the visitor centre while the remaining eight headed for hot food at the nearby garden centre.
After lunch we headed past the TA Centre to the canal. We turned off at “Junction 16” to face the headwind for half a mile, then a tailwind through Ratho, with a small hill en route. It was here that four riders decided to give in to the lure of the canal, while the remaining 12 went on by way of yet another (small) hill to Hermiston Village, Edinburgh Park, Corstorphine and Murrayfield.
The total distance was somewhere between 30 and 35 miles. Well done everyone, and thanks to the back markers, to Jim for plotting the route (see below), and everyone else for a great day out.
Leader and report: Jenny Meek
View 2011-10-30 09:26 30-milers in a larger map
From there we took Long Dalmahoy Road, turned off at Gowanhill Farm Road and headed for the railway crossing. With everyone across the railway safely (we managed to avoid a Virgin Voyager) we proceeded up the steep hill (some veterans even managed the whole hill without stopping). At the top we had a break to admire the fabulous view and take on refreshments before heading for Lanark Road West – another busy road.
Once safely across we headed down to the Water of Leith towards Balerno and on to Cockburnhill Road. It may have been the effect of the time change but several riders were experiencing hunger pangs by this time (12 noon).No lunch yet I’m afraid.
A strong headwind challenged us for a couple of miles on the A70. It was all worth it though when we turned right into Leyden Road and a fabulous long descent to Kirknewton and Almondell, where we split into two groups. Eight of us opted to picnic at the visitor centre while the remaining eight headed for hot food at the nearby garden centre.
After lunch we headed past the TA Centre to the canal. We turned off at “Junction 16” to face the headwind for half a mile, then a tailwind through Ratho, with a small hill en route. It was here that four riders decided to give in to the lure of the canal, while the remaining 12 went on by way of yet another (small) hill to Hermiston Village, Edinburgh Park, Corstorphine and Murrayfield.
The total distance was somewhere between 30 and 35 miles. Well done everyone, and thanks to the back markers, to Jim for plotting the route (see below), and everyone else for a great day out.
Leader and report: Jenny Meek
View 2011-10-30 09:26 30-milers in a larger map
Sunday, 21 August 2011
20th August Ride
This week's 20-Milers Extra ride was marred by an unfortunate accident.
Nineteen of us had set off from the Meadows to cycle to Almondell Country Park in West Lothian. We were approaching Balerno on the Lanark Road when one of the cyclists lost control of her bike, went head-first over the handlebars, and was knocked unconscious.
By good fortune, one of the group was a nurse with A&E experience. He was able to give the victim valuable first aid while we waiting for the ambulance. He then went with her to the Infirmary, and later told me that she was recovering well. She has some minor lacerations, but no broken bones or other lasting damage.
The most recent news is that she was kept in hospital overnight, but was due to be released today (Sunday).
After the ambulance had left, none of us felt like continuing with the ride, so by unanimous agreement we cycled into Balerno for an early lunch, and then drifted home.
This was the most serious accident that the group has had, and it left us all anxious and shocked. It's a great relief that the outcome wasn't as bad as we had feared at the time. I would add that the group reacted in a most commendable way: directing the traffic, taking contact details, arranging for the storage and transport of the bikes, etc. Jenny (who was leading the ride) sends her thanks to everyone for their patience and support.
Our next ride will be on 10th September. This will be our usual 20-mile format, the destination to be announced nearer the time.
Mike
Nineteen of us had set off from the Meadows to cycle to Almondell Country Park in West Lothian. We were approaching Balerno on the Lanark Road when one of the cyclists lost control of her bike, went head-first over the handlebars, and was knocked unconscious.
By good fortune, one of the group was a nurse with A&E experience. He was able to give the victim valuable first aid while we waiting for the ambulance. He then went with her to the Infirmary, and later told me that she was recovering well. She has some minor lacerations, but no broken bones or other lasting damage.
The most recent news is that she was kept in hospital overnight, but was due to be released today (Sunday).
After the ambulance had left, none of us felt like continuing with the ride, so by unanimous agreement we cycled into Balerno for an early lunch, and then drifted home.
This was the most serious accident that the group has had, and it left us all anxious and shocked. It's a great relief that the outcome wasn't as bad as we had feared at the time. I would add that the group reacted in a most commendable way: directing the traffic, taking contact details, arranging for the storage and transport of the bikes, etc. Jenny (who was leading the ride) sends her thanks to everyone for their patience and support.
Our next ride will be on 10th September. This will be our usual 20-mile format, the destination to be announced nearer the time.
Mike
Saturday, 4 September 2010
30milers ride to Roslin & Dalkeith
12 people showed up for today's longer ride (just over 30 miles) led by Andrew to Roslin.
We set out, earlier than our normal start time, through an interesting set of back streets around Morningside, including a small bridge over the South Suburban railway line that was a surprise to most. We then had to climb quite a lot of hill (or it felt like a lot in the warm summer weather) to get to the hill behind Mortonhall. A short descent to Burdiehouse and then we crossed under the bypass at Straiton and headed to Loanhead. From there, there is an excellent old railway line all the way to Roslin. The Rotary Club had laid on a pipe band and a parade (not just in our honour, probably) so some of us sat and had a view of the parade while we waited (a long time - hmm) for our lunch at the pub on the corner while others went off to explore the gala and others had a picnic by Rosslyn Chapel, which now has its protective double-roof removed.
After lunch we cycled through a back road to Auchendinny and then turned down onto the old Penicuik to Dalkeith railway line, at the old paper mill (now demolished, although it still exists on Google maps satellite view) and then all the way along this route to Dalkeith. At the west end it is untarmaced, and slightly uphill (but if a train can manage, then so can we) and after the summit around Rosewell it became a smoother path, and we had a lovely ride downhill with great views over Midlothian. Some gentle wiggling in Dalkeith and we ended up in the town centre, then headed along Route 1 to Whitecraigs, along the Esk and then back via Queen Margaret's College and Brunstane and ultimately the Innocent Railway back to our start.
A great ride made better by some lovely weather. We will probably do some 30 mile rides again next summer, but that's all for this year.
Next week our normal 20-mile ride is going out to Ratho and then lunch at Kirkliston, led by Storybike Andy. Hope to see you then (start time back to the normal 10.30am)
View 30milers Sept to Roslin in a larger map
We set out, earlier than our normal start time, through an interesting set of back streets around Morningside, including a small bridge over the South Suburban railway line that was a surprise to most. We then had to climb quite a lot of hill (or it felt like a lot in the warm summer weather) to get to the hill behind Mortonhall. A short descent to Burdiehouse and then we crossed under the bypass at Straiton and headed to Loanhead. From there, there is an excellent old railway line all the way to Roslin. The Rotary Club had laid on a pipe band and a parade (not just in our honour, probably) so some of us sat and had a view of the parade while we waited (a long time - hmm) for our lunch at the pub on the corner while others went off to explore the gala and others had a picnic by Rosslyn Chapel, which now has its protective double-roof removed.
After lunch we cycled through a back road to Auchendinny and then turned down onto the old Penicuik to Dalkeith railway line, at the old paper mill (now demolished, although it still exists on Google maps satellite view) and then all the way along this route to Dalkeith. At the west end it is untarmaced, and slightly uphill (but if a train can manage, then so can we) and after the summit around Rosewell it became a smoother path, and we had a lovely ride downhill with great views over Midlothian. Some gentle wiggling in Dalkeith and we ended up in the town centre, then headed along Route 1 to Whitecraigs, along the Esk and then back via Queen Margaret's College and Brunstane and ultimately the Innocent Railway back to our start.
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| 30milers to Roslin |
Next week our normal 20-mile ride is going out to Ratho and then lunch at Kirkliston, led by Storybike Andy. Hope to see you then (start time back to the normal 10.30am)
View 30milers Sept to Roslin in a larger map
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