Westward ... and Windward

For today's Extra ride, Peter (Bennett) led us out to one of our more popular destinations: Almondell Country Park. This lovely wooded area is an excellent place for cycling, with many enticing paths criss-crossing the steep river valley. There is a friendly visitor centre which serves tea and coffee (albeit of the vending-machine variety), and most of the area is free of cars.

With about 20 riders in the party, we headed out along the familiar NCN 1 route from Craigleith to Cramond Brig, then on to the Carlowrie Road and the Kirkliston railway path. After a short comfort stop at the Kirkliston Leisure Centre, we continued westward on the back road to Niddry Castle and the Union Canal.

The only problem up to now was the fierce headwind, which made cycling somewhat harder than it should have been. But things got easier after we joined the canal towpath. As well as being more sheltered, we were now heading south, so the wind was from the side. What's more, we were pleasantly surprised to see that the towpath had been resurfaced since last year's visit, with firm tarmac replacing the rough gravel – at least for a couple of miles.

We left the canal shortly after Broxburn and rode into the park a mile or so later. The last time we were here, our lunch stop co-incided with a heavy shower and we had to take refuge in the visitor centre. That problem didn't arise today, as, apart from the wind, the weather stayed fine. We headed instead for the walled garden, where we spread out among the benches and picnic tables for our al fresco lunch.


For the return ride to town, we set out along NCN 75. After passing Kirknewton, we enjoyed a couple of superb miles on Long Dalmahoy Road. With the wind now behind us, and a slight downhill gradient on a near traffic-free road, we glided along almost effortlessly. The final leg took us through the Heriot-Watt campus and Edinburgh Park, then by South Gyle and the Corstorphine railway path to Roseburn Park. At that point, some of the group took the Roseburn Path back to the starting point, while others went their separate ways. At just under 30 miles, it was another excellent day out.

Leader: Peter
Report and photos: Mike
Map: Sorry, no trace this time, but the route was very similar to last year's, which you can see here (with thanks to Julia).

An Almondell Outing

 

For today's ride - our second Extra of the summer - Peter (Bennett) led us on an interesting excursion into West Lothian. The day was tolerably warm and dry, but we had a fresh wind in our face for much of the morning.

About 18 of us set off from the Craigleith path junction. For the first few miles, the route was so familiar that our bikes could probably have found their way on their own: along NCN 1 to Cramond Brig, then via the Carlowrie Road to the Kirkliston railway path. On leaving Kirkliston, we paused at the leisure centre, which provided a handy comfort stop. Then came a short stretch on the main road, followed by a pleasant mile and a half on the back road to Niddry Castle.

We then joined the canal towpath for about three miles, apparently heading back to town, which seemed counter-intuitive. But this was the part of the canal that makes a big loop around three sides of Broxburn, so in fact we were heading more south than east. After leaving the towpath at Bridge 23 (no other place names shown on the map), we enjoyed a delightful stretch along a country lane which took us through the Strathbock and Kirkhill woods, and so through the north gate of Almondell Country Park.

The country park is an excellent place for a bike ride. It has good paths and traffic-free roads, with dramatic views of the River Almond flowing through a deep wooded gorge. It was also our planned luch stop. But just as we arrived at the picnic tables - can you guess? - the sky darkened and some splodges of rain appeared. About a dozen of us headed for the shelter of the visitor centre. The friendly attendant allowed us to invade the centre's diminutive conservatory, where we somehow managed to squeeze around three tiny tables (with apologies to the family that was trying to enjoy their own quiet lunch there). However, a few moments later the rain stopped and the sky cleared, so some of us decamped to the centre's walled garden.

For the afternoon leg, we picked up NCN 75, which skirts East Calder and heads south east to Kirknewton and Long Dalmahoy. The wind was behind us now, and much of the route was slightly downhill, so we were making very good time. We paused for a few moments at a junction which is known in 20-Milers folklore as Yaz's Corner (after a memorable puncture there a year or so ago; I'll say no more). At the point where NCN 75 turns right for a long climb to Balerno, our leader wisely took us straight ahead on a gentler gradient towards the Curriehill road.

We ended the ride by pedalling through the Riccarton campus, Edinburgh Park, the Gyle and Corstorphine. By the time we reached Roseburn, several riders had peeled off. The rest of us took the Roseburn Path back to our starting point. At 30 miles, it was a very enjoyable ride.

Leader: Peter

Report and photos:Mike

Map trace: Sorry - didn't do one this time.

Extra ride to Livingston (19th August)

For our third Extra ride of the summer, Jenny Meek led a 21-strong group on a sortie into West Lothian. It turned out to be one of those rides where all the ingredients are just right: a delightful route, with quiet roads, well-surfaced bike paths, and mostly gentle gradients; an interesting lunch stop; congenial company; and, above all, near-perfect cycling weather (most of the time).

From our meeting point at the Water of Leith Visitor Centre, we took the canal to Hermiston House Road, then weaved through a series of pleasant country lanes by way of Gogarbank and Bonnington Mains, before re-joining the canal for a crossing of the lofty Almond Aqueduct. We entered Almondell Country Park at the north entrance, and enjoyed a fast freewheel to the Visitor Centre, where we stopped for a toilet break and general regrouping (see photo).

The next stage was on NCN 75 as it follows the fast-flowing Almond through a deep wooded gorge. This is a tricky path, with several narrow and steep sections. Inevitably we had to dismount a couple of times to haul our bikes over some difficult bits.

We emerged from the park in south Livingston. Now, this is a part of the country where I usually get myself lost (the trouble with the bike paths in Livingston is that there are so many of them). But Jenny's diligent recces had paid off, and she led us unerringly past the civic centre and St. Margaret's Academy to reach our lunch stop in Livingston Village

This was something of a revelation to most of the group. Livingston Village is the original Livingston, before the arrival of the new town in the 1960s. It dates back to the early 12th Century, and was a typical West Lothian farming community. Today, the village is still intact, despite being entirely surrounded by the new town. Its focal point is the 18th Century Livingston Inn, where we enjoyed a leisurely al fresco lunch.

After lunch, we took the well-surfaced bike path that runs alongside the Edinburgh to Bathgate railway line. We then turned right at Uphall Station onto a somewhat rougher path, which eventually led us onto the dramatic Camps Viaduct. From here, we were able to look down onto the path along the Almond that we had traversed a few hours earlier.

A mile or so later, we re-joined NCN 75 for a mostly downhill stretch via Kirknewton, Long Dalmahoy and the Herriot-Watt campus. Up to now, the day had been mostly warm and sunny, but as we reached the canal for the final leg, it turned cloudy with some spots of rain. So we quickly got to the junction with the Water of Leith path, where we went our separate ways. At just over 35 miles, it was another highly successful ride.

Leader: Jenny
Report and photo: Mike

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


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