A breezy Fife coastal meander

Just like last year, our June Extra ride saw Alan lead us to one of our most popular destinations: Silver Sands Beach at Aberdour in Fife. Crossing the Forth Road Bridge, following the delightful Fife Coastal Path to arrive at a sandy beach with extensive views over the Firth of Forth made for a lovely ride. There was a noticeable breeze and there were gusts of wind as we crossed the Forth, but there were sunny spells, and it was pleasantly warm without getting too hot. There was one unfortunate incident on the return leg where a rider fell and sustained a minor injury.

With Alan's briefing over, nineteen of us left the Craigleith meeting point and made our way to Cramond Brig for the obligatory pause on the bridge. From there, we rode onwards through Dalmeny village, the quiet back streets of South Queensferry and to the Forth Bridge Visitor Centre for a comfort stop. From there we headed across the bridge into Fife. Although it was quite breezy, it was as lovely as ever to cycle across the Forth and enjoy the view. On the recce the previous Saturday, it had been so misty that it wasn't possible to see the two other bridges at either side. What a difference a week makes! The main road to get into the centre of Inverkeithing was less busy than usual, but the sting-in-the-tail were the three-way temporary traffic lights smack bang in the middle of town. Although they delayed us for a few minutes, at least we all got through in one go. It was good to leave the town behind and head onto the Fife Coastal Path. A mixture of tracks with stunning views across the Forth, and paths through rather grand housing estates took us past St David's Harbour, Downing Point and Donibristle Bay on the edge of Dalgety Bay. Once again, all credit to Alan for finding his way through the maze of paths, and soon we were passing the impressive ruins of St Brigget's Kirk. Through the underpass, and we turned slightly inland to follow minor roads and tracks past fields and a golf course to emerge in the village of Aberdour. Another mile, and we were at Silver Sands Beach for our lunch stop.

The beach was not as busy as we had expected, but it meant there was plenty of room for the group to spread out and enjoy their picnic lunches. With lunch over, we began our journey home retracing the outward route from the morning, and were once again able to admire the views across the Forth. Once again we marvelled at Alan's ability to lead us through the maze of paths through the houses. Leaving the lovely coastal path behind, soon we were contending with Inverkeithing's temporary traffic lights. It was here that one of the riders fell and sustained a minor injury. A passer-by stepped in to help. Fortunately the injury wasn't serious, but the rider was a bit shaken. They decided to take the train back to Edinburgh. Graham kindly offered to see them to the station. So, leaving them in Graham's capable hands, the group made their way across the Forth Road Bridge. This time it was windier, with some quite strong gusts at certain points of the crossing. During a comfort stop at the Forth Bridge Visitor Centre, we were surprised to be rejoined by Graham. Apparently, the injured rider had decided to cycle home. Graham accompanied them across the bridge, but rejoined the group once satisfied that they would be OK to make their own way home. Leaving South Queensferry we were joined by a cyclist who was riding solo from John o' Groats to Lands End. Glad of the company he rode with us and chatted for a while. In doing so, he missed his turning in Dalmeny village. At our next stop to regroup, we were able to put him back on the right road.  A pause at Cramond Brig, and a short while later we were at Craigleith where Alan declared the ride over.

Thanks to Alan for leading, to Saqib for back marking, and to Graham for helping the injured rider. Decent weather, lovely scenery, and one of our favourite destinations resulted in a great ride that was enjoyed by all.

Leader: Alan

Report: Glenn

Photos: Glenn

A sunny South Queensferry jaunt

Today's ride saw us head to that ever-popular destination of South Queensferry. The weather forecast suggested we were in for pleasant temperatures and sunny intervals. Given some of the torrential downpours of recent days, we were hoping it was accurate. What we eventually got was blue skies, bright sunshine and higher than expected temperatures. A turnout of 18 riders was acceptable - that seems to be about the figure we expect these days.

Following the obligatory route and safety briefing from the leader, we headed to Leamington Bridge via Bruntsfield Links. From there we continued to the well known zig-zags at Russell Road via Fountainbridge and the Telfer subway. One rider struggled up the zig-zags and stopped at the top with gear problems. Alan, our resident mechanic was on hand to help, and following a slight delay we were all back together and on our way via Craigleith, Silverknowes and Barnton to Cramond Brig. We stopped on the bridge whilst two riders offered round cake. A few lucky riders also saw a kingfisher darting about above the river below. A short sharp climb and we were on the path beside the busy A90. Up beside the B924 and we paused at the entrance to the Dalmeny estate to regroup. Through Dalmeny village and on to the path that brought us out at the Co-op in South Queensferry. Down the hill, right at the new traffic lights and we were on South Queensferry High Street. We parked up at the steps leading down to the beach. On such a lovely sunny day, most of the group stayed there to enjoy their picnic lunches.

Lunch over, we mounted up and rode along the cobbled High Street through the town, turning off to head under the Forth Rail Bridge and into the Dalmeny estate. The path varied between smooth tarmac and rough unsurfaced track with a few climbs and descents to contend with. Despite the heavy rain in the last few days, mud wasn't a problem. We emerged just above Cramond Brig, where again we paused before heading back towards town. Our route back being the same as we had taken out in the morning. At the Cramond Road South / Silverknowes Terrace cut-through we came across several dog walkers who believed 18 cyclists had no right to be on this recognised shared cycle and foot path. The backmarker stopped to politely debate the matter with them. Not sure if it will make any difference. From there we had a relatively trouble-free ride back to the Meadows, making a couple of detours to avoid road works. Here the leader declared the ride officially over. 

All seemed to have enjoyed the ride. One comment summed it up perfectly, "I've been to South Queensferry many times; but this was a lovely route and it's so much nicer when riding in a group. Thanks to Yaz for leading, Neil for back marking and the weather for being so kind to us.

Leader: Yaz

Report: Glenn

Photos: Glenn

Are you sure this is the right way?

Earlier in the week the forecast was promising a day of thundery showers. By this morning it sounded somewhat better - a mixture of showers and light rain with thundery showers arriving after five o'clock. In the end, our ride to South Queensferry was blessed with warm sunshine, not a drop of rain and everyone was safely home by the time the thundery downpour did eventually arrive. We have a ride to South Queensferry every year, so there is always the risk of it becoming rather familiar and lacking in interest. Not this time; the leader did us proud by picking a route that none of us had taken before. We even got tangled up with a parade.

Despite the forecast, a turnout of 18 riders was quite good, with the added bonus that we didn't need to split into two groups. Good to see some new faces in the mix. The first part of the route was familiar until we arrived at Bruntsfield Place where we turned left and joined the main road. Those not paying attention almost went over the crossing and down to the canal. Instead, we meandered through the less familiar back streets of Bruntsfield, Merchiston and Polworth before arriving in Roseburn Park. More quiet paths and we emerged at the busy Glasgow Road. There was a little confusion as the leader had told us we would be crossing the road beside the Jaguar garage - which is now a Volvo garage. We left the busy road behind and threaded through more quiet back streets before emerging at the busy Queensferry Road. Across that and a quick whizz down Whitehouse Road, where we turned off and headed down to Cramond Bridge for the obligatory stop whilst cake and sweets were passed round. It was now warm and sunny. Heading out in the morning everyone was so busy ensuring they had got their waterproofs that no one had given a second thought to sun cream. We then took the path beside the road towards Burnshot Bridge. On arriving at the cattle grid at the entrance to the Dalmeny estate, we surprisingly went in rather than riding past and heading towards Dalmeny village. A cyclist coming out warned us to look out for a large highland cow standing in the middle of the road. Pre-warned, we were able to slow down and give the cow a wide berth. We rode through the estate and came into South Queensferry beneath the majestic Forth Rail Bridge. As we headed into town we came to a barrier and a "road closed" sign. It turned out to be the day of the Ferry Fair Festival parade. One of the stewards said we could head along the road so long as we dismounted and hurried up so as not to get tangled up in the parade. We made it to the centre of town and riders headed off in various directions in search of lunch. We'd never seen the place so busy.

After lunch, we had a short walk wheeling our bikes to reach the end of the high street. From there it was up the hill, through the Co-op car park and we were on the path to Dalmeny village. We then took the familiar route back towards Cramond Bridge. Re-grouping at Burnshot Bridge, we were joined by a rather muddy French mountain biker who asked the best way back to Portobello. It appears he had got lost near Craigie's Farm and ended up riding across a potato field. We told him we were heading in the direction he needed to go, so he rode with us for a short while. He soon left us to go and seek out a jet wash for his bike and himself. We held with tradition and paused briefly on Cramond Bridge. From there it was onwards through Barnton with an easy crossing of Cramond Road South courtesy of temporary traffic lights. We had never before experienced such an easy crossing. Through Silverknowes and the Blackhall path took us to Craigleith. From there, the familiar route of the Roseburn path, Russell Road, Telfer subway and the canal took us back to the Meadows where the leader declared the ride over.

Thanks to Alan for leading an enjoyable ride. It just goes to show that with a little thought and imagination, what looks set to be a somewhat predictable and familiar ride can easily become something more interesting. Thanks also to the weather for being on our side. None of us expected to stay dry all day and be concerned about forgetting to apply sun cream.

Leader: Alan
Report: Glenn
Photos: Glenn
Map trace: None available