To the tower

We have often passed through Prestonpans, but today it was our actual destination. Yaz led us to Preston Tower - the remains of a 14th century castle, set on high ground in lovely gardens with a noted laburnum arch. With plenty of seating and fine views over the Forth, it was an ideal location for a picnic lunch. Whilst the forecast suggested we would have a dry and sunny day with a gentle breeze, we were not expecting it to be pleasantly warm for the time of year, which was an added bonus. In the 20 Milers 21st year, it is great to still find places we can visit for the first time.

The weather and the promise of visiting somewhere new helped muster 22 riders for an October ride. Following a comprehensive briefing from the leader, we left The Meadows behind and took the familiar route to Musselburgh via the Innocent Railway. Stopping at Musselburgh station, Iain handed round his delicious homemade cake and Yaz handed round sweets to sustain us until lunchtime. From there, we were expertly led on an unfamiliar twisty route through the backstreets of Musselburgh to emerge beside the blue arrow at the end of Goose Green. Pausing there, Yaz called on Mike to explain why the blue arrow existed and the story behind it. Mike expertly delegated the task to the writer, who told the story to the group. From there we took the path beside the sea that led us to join the road into Prestonpans. Along the High Street, we turned right onto Ayres Wynd and climbed the hill to Preston Tower. We spread out in the lovely gardens beneath the tower to enjoy our picnics in the warm sunshine.

With lunch over, we headed back down towards the High Street. After a welcome comfort stop, we turned right at the traffic lights, and just before the Robert Burns Memorial Gardens turned left down a slope to a path above the shore. Below us was another path right beside the sea. A couple of riders said they had been on it before, found it very slippery and did not want to go on it again. That didn't matter, as the intention was to stay on the higher path. A combination of previous experience and thorough recceing meant that the leader knew the lower path was unsuitable and shortly petered out resulting in a push across a stretch of of beach. But the path we took was a delight; twisting behind houses and giving fine views across the Forth before emerging back onto the High Street. A short stretch on the road and we were back on the path from the morning beside the shore. This time we headed inland and took the path running alongside Musselburgh racecourse, which is so much better now it has a proper sealed surface. Up beside the River Esk, across the Electric Bridge, a brief pause at Fisherrow Harbour and we were on Edinburgh Road heading towards Portobello. The group got split up on this section courtesy of temporary traffic lights. But we regrouped at the bottom of Milton Road and headed onto the Brunstane Burn path. At the end of the path, we re-joined the route we had taken outward in the morning. Via the Innocent Railway, we were soon back at The Meadows where the leader declared the ride officially over.

Thanks to Yaz for leading us on such an enjoyable ride which was enjoyed by all. New to many was the section between Musselburgh station and the Electric Bridge, as was the path above the shore running parallel to Prestonpans High Street. But the highlight had to be Preston Tower set in such delightful gardens. Thanks to Saqib back marking.

Leader: Yaz

Report: Glenn

Photos: Glenn 

'Twas a Strang wind

Of all our 20 Milers Extra rides, the one to Merryhatton Garden Centre remains a firm favourite and is the only one we are guaranteed to do every year without fail. As well as being a lovely ride through the glorious East Lothain countryside, it is a legacy left to us by the late Logan Strang. Logan was a stalwart of the group until he passed away on a ride in 2017. If ever a ride can be associated with one person, the one to Merryhatton is synonymous with Logan. It came about when Logan and his great friend Ken Roxburgh (another stalwart of the group) were out on one of their regular mid-week rides, and had that lightbulb moment that, "this could make a really good Extra ride". Logan always led this ride, and with a twinkle in his eye would say, "one of my favourite things about this ride is that it's mostly flat". 

We started at Fisherrow Harbour in Musselburgh. There was some confusion as three separate rides were starting from the same point; we had to ensure the right riders went with the correct group. Following the customary briefing, our group of 14 riders headed off towards the Electric Bridge and the racecourse. The section from the Scout hut to the track near the boating pond is much nicer now it tarmacked. Such a shame the next bit heading towards the main road remains as rough as ever. The coast road took us through Prestonpans and onto the new shared use path to where Cockenzie power station used to be. We cut through to the small harbour and the quiet road behind Cockenzie House to the considerably larger Port Seton Harbour. Beside the sea wall and past Seton Sands caravan site to re-join the coast road. Beyond Gosford Bay, we pulled off the road and stopped. The leader giving the riders the choice of continuing on the road or taking the path through the trees that ran parallel to it. Most opted for the path for some respite from the road. With just a few hundred yards to go until the path finished on the edge of Aberlady, the writer was thinking, "I've never ridden along this path and not seen another person". Between there and the end we encountered four walkers and a dog walker. Perhaps next time. We turned right down a quiet residential road avoiding the busy high street. It was now beginning to feel as if we were in the proper East Lothian countryside. At Lufness Mains farm we joined one of the county's delightful quiet roads that led us to the considerably busier B1377. The weather had been dry with sunny intervals, comfortably warm, but with a strong wind behind us. That was the way it stayed for the rest of the day. The tail wind meant we had made good time, but we knew it would be in our face on the homeward leg. From Drem station, more quiet country roads took us to Merryhatton and our lunch stop. Half the riders headed for the café whilst the others made their way to Athelstaneford cemetery for a picnic lunch. That final stretch of road saw us battle into a strong headwind - a foretaste of what the afternoon would have to offer.

Everyone enjoyed their lunch, whichever option they had chosen. It was now time to battle into the headwind. It was a blustery ride to Athelstaneford where we stopped to look at the information panel beside the church about the history of the Scottish flag. The stretch of road out of Athelstaneford frequently sees us struggling into a headwind. Surprisingly, today the wind was blowing from the side, rather than in our faces. Whilst it was strong and gusty, it was probably better than had it been in our faces. But it was on this stretch that one rider was blown off course and was lucky to remain upright. We skirted the Hopetoun Monument and arrived at the A6137 for the major climb of the day. Now the wind was properly in our faces. Head down, select the appropriate gear and just keep pedalling was the order of the day. We crested the hill and turned right onto the road towards Longniddry. We stopped to catch our breath and regroup. With a wonderful downhill not far away, one rider discovered they had no front brake. Not ideal with a fast downhill ahead. Yet again Alan saved the day with a quick repair. We were soon whizzing down the steep hill with beaming smiles on our faces. The rider who had the brake problem minutes earlier reported all was working fine and there had been no scary moments on the descent. More delightful country lanes led us to the level crossing near Longniddry. We chatted to a lone cyclist as we waited for a train to pass and the barriers to rise. He headed off along the dual carriageway whist we joined the path alongside, which seemed like a much better option. Another downhill and we took a comfort stop at Port Seton. From there we retraced our outward route. The headwind was particularly strong on the run back into Prestonpans. Near the ash lagoons it was great to see newly surfaced tracks all the way back to Goose Green. They were most welcome given the strong headwind.

At Musselburgh's Electric Bridge, the leader declared the ride officially over. Everyone seemed to have enjoyed the ride and thanked the leader. There was even a round of applause. Of course, the real thanks have to go to the late Logan for leaving us with such a great ride as his lasting legacy. Thanks also go to Alan for back marking and fixing the issue with the brakes.

Leader: Glenn

Report: Glenn

Photos: Glenn

A grand day out

Four weeks ago the recce for this ride was postponed due to heavy rain. What a difference a month makes! Today we were blessed with one of the best days of the year - bright sun shining down from a cloudless sky, lovely and warm with only the most gentle of breezes. A grand day to head out into East Lothian.

A turnout of nineteen riders was good, without there being so many as to need to split into two groups. Along with the diehards of the group, there were a few new faces and several riders that look set to become the new regulars. Today's ride out to the Merryhatton Garden Centre near East Fortune has become a regular fixture for late August in our Extra runs calendar. A stalwart of the group for a number of years, Logan Strang instigated the ride. He cheerfully admitted one thing he liked about it was there were hardly any hills on the route. In addition, it heads out through some beautiful East Lothian countryside and the lunch stop is very pleasant. This is the third time that this ride has run since Logan's passing, and has become something of an unofficial memorial ride to our sorely missed friend. Today's leader/writer/photographer has led all three and still feels more of a caretaker for Logan's ride rather than the true leader. Following the customary briefing, we left Fisherrow Harbour and made our way to the footbridge that would take us across the River Esk. At this stage it was pleasantly warm, but slightly overcast. Usually we would avoid the main road and take the track behind the racecourse. For a change, we took the main road down to the racecourse roundabout and joined the coast road. It is not the quietest road, but we would have had to join it further along anyway.

We used our newly developed plan for getting a group safely along main roads. Groups of five riders would be set off at 15 second intervals to make it safer for riders and other traffic. Thanks to Verity [who wasn't on today's ride} for coming up with the plan, and thanks to Alan for acting as main road monitor. We stayed on the main road as far as Cockenzie, where we turned off and quieter roads took us past Cockenzie and Port Seton harbours. A comfort and sweetie stop in Port Seton before joining the main road again. Beyond Gosford House the leader stopped and gave the riders two options; stay on the main road to Aberlady or take the unsurfaced path that ran alongside it. The split was probably half and half. We regrouped and left the main road at Aberlady. Quiet back roads allowed us to ride in one large group again. It was now warm and sunny and the East Lothian countryside looked beautiful. A short stretch of main road followed. We left that behind at Drem railway station. From there, minor roads took us on to our lunch stop at Merryhatton. We enjoyed a nice lunch in the conservatory, but it felt hotter in there than outside!

With everyone fed and watered, we headed off on the homeward leg. Past the National Museum of Flight at East Fortune and into the lovely village of Athalstaneford - which lays claim to being the birth place of Scotland's flag. We paused by the church where an interpretation panel tells the story of the flag. Education over, we headed out of the village towards the Haddington road. There always seems to be a headwind on that stretch of road. Today was no exception; but it was more of a gentle breeze and its slight cooling effect was most welcome. We crossed the road for Haddington and took the quiet minor road which skirts the Hopetoun monument. A short stretch on the A6137 followed. This was our only real climb of the day. Deserted minor roads would follow and soon we were speeding down a glorious steep hill. Coming so soon after a climb, smiles and comments confirmed how much it had been enjoyed. We continued until a barrier and red flashing lights brought us to a halt. Yes, we were at the level crossing near Longniddry. Once the train had passed and the barriers went up, we crossed the dual carriageway and took the path and road to Seton East, where another lovely hill took us down to the coast at Port Seton. The same back roads from the morning took us past the two harbours, before joining the main road back as far as Prestonpans. There we joined the coast path, which via the Lagoons and sea wall took us back to Goose Green in Musselburgh. Back across the footbridge and the leader declared the ride officially over.

Everyone seemed to have enjoyed the ride. Great weather, the lovely East Lothian countryside, not many hills and good company - cycling at its best. Thanks to Logan for leaving us this ride - a fitting legacy to our friend. As an additional link to Logan, the leader led today's ride on his road bike (first time on a group ride) which runs on a set of Logan's wheels.


Leader: Glenn
Report: Glenn
Photos: Glenn

Logan's run



 

Over the last few years, late August has become synonymous with one of the group's Extra rides deep into East Lothian, with lunch taken at the Merryhatton Garden Centre. Our great friend and one of the group's true characters, the late Logan Strang always led this delightful ride. Just like last year (the year we lost him), today's leader felt more like he was caretaker on a ride that will always belong to Logan, rather than being the true leader. As seems to be the norm for this ride, we were blessed with lovely weather. Not quite as warm as it might have been, but bright and sunny for most of the ride and a slight breeze - perfect cycling weather.

Whilst it was bright and sunny, it was slightly cooler as we waited for all the riders to arrive at the Fisherrow meeting point. The temperature had risen a few degrees by the time the nineteen riders were ready to depart. The leader's briefing contained a few words about Logan, before tips about riding safely on the couple of busy roads that lie ahead, and details of the route and lunch stop. Briefing over, we rolled away from Fisherrow and headed for the footbridge across the River Esk. Down Goose Green and we stopped at the blue arrow beside the Air Cadets hut. This was the first of two educational stops on today's ride. The leader said a few words explaining how Second World War bomber crews used the arrow for guidance whilst practicing hitting targets in the Firth of Forth, and how it had been restored in recent years by the Air Cadets. Leaving the arrow behind, we followed the path beside the race course and carried on to Prestonpans where we joined the road. Just past the empty space where the Cockenzie power station used to stand, we took the quiet back roads past Cockenzie and Port Seton harbours.

After following seafront cycle paths, we re-joined the road near the entrance to Port Seton caravan site. We took the quite busy coast road and as it swung inland after Gosford Bay, we pulled off the road for a sweetie and cake stop. A delightful little track through the woods took us to Aberlady; although some of the group opted to remain on the busy road. At Aberlady, we left the main road behind as a quiet residential road took us inland and away from the village. We emerged onto a quiet country road before turning off onto an even quieter country lane past Myreton Motor Museum. There followed a stretch on the busy B1377, before turning off onto a much more pleasant road at Drem railway station. A short time later saw us turning off into the Merryhatton Garden Centre - our lunch stop.

We often compliment Logan for discovering such a good lunch stop and building up a lovely ride around it. Once again it lived up to expectations and everyone seemed to enjoy their lunch. We began our return journey passing the East Fortune airfield runway and Scotland's National Museum of Flight. From there we made our way to the lovely village of Athelstaneford for our second educational stop of the day. The village is credited with being the home of the Scottish Saltire flag. We gathered round the information panel beside the church to read the story. One of the riders who had been there a number of times before, led a small group to go and view a two minute video on the subject in an outbuilding behind the church. Ten minutes later, the leader was dispatched to fetch them back so we could get moving again. Stragglers rounded up and we were on our way. Leaving the shelter of the village behind, we began to appreciate that we were heading into something of a headwind. It is not uncommon to encounter a headwind there that remains all the way back to Edinburgh, especially when returning along the coast road. Fortunately, that was not the case today. We passed the Hopetoun Monument before turning left on the A6137 towards Haddington. On a mainly flat route, this was our only real climb of the day. As the road flattened, we turned right on a quiet road that headed towards Longniddry. The group stretched out a little and an oversight by the leader meant a right turn was left without a rider marking it for those following. This resulted in several riders missing the turn and having to retrace their steps.

But once they made the turn, they were rewarded with a beautiful sweeping descent. Those waiting at the bottom could see how much those following had enjoyed it by the width of their grins! Regrouping, we headed off only to be accosted by a playful puppy who bounded out of a garden. It's doubtful he had seen so many bicycles before and obviously thought they were there to play with him. Eventually his owner managed to get a hand on his collar and we carried on our way. Taking the quiet lanes that ran paraellel with the railway, we bypassed Longniddry and arrived at a level crossing, We were delayed for several minutes as two trains went by. Once the barrier went up, we carefully crossed the A198 dual carriageway and joined the cycle path heading west. A lovely downhill stretch and we were in Port Seton. Taking the back roads past the two harbours, we retraced our outward route from the morning. As we approached Musselburgh, instead of following the path beside the race course, we rode through Levenhall Links Leisure Park and followed the path and sea wall back to the blue arrow at Goose Green. At the footbridge across the Esk, the leader declared the ride officially over. Some headed home whilst the remainder headed for post-ride coffee and ice cream at Luca's.

Lovely weather, a nice ride, good lunch stop and everyone seemed to have enjoyed themselves. What more could anyone ask for? We were all left feeling we had done Logan proud.

Leader: Glenn
Report: Glenn
Photos: Glenn
Map trace: Jim