Not far into today's ride to Roslin one rider was heard to say, "it's rather blowy today". That turned out to be a perfect description. There was a noticeable wind that stayed with us all day, we endured a couple of showers, but the temperature was probably about average for early September. The forecast had suggested we would have a mixture of light rain and showers all day, so it was better than that. Roslin has been a regular destination over the years, but whoever is leading always seems to manage to shake up the route just enough to make it a little different. The same thing happened today courtesy of Alison who was leading her second 20 Milers ride in as many months. Given the weather forecast, a turn out of twelve riders was neither unexpected nor disappointing.
With the briefing over, Alison led us away from The Meadows and into the Park via Holyrood Park Road. A short distance along Duddingston Low Road and we dropped down to join the Innocent Railway. We remained on it as far as Bingham, where we turned right under the bridge, up Hay Avenue and across Niddrie Mains Road. Edinburgh Council Quiet Route 61 took us through Niddrie and onwards to the Royal Infirmary. Having crossed Old Dalkeith Road we rode through Mordun, Burdiehouse Burn Valley Park and emerged on Lasswade Road. The shared use path then took us down to Gilmerton Station Road where we joined the Gilmerton to Roslin path. Near Loanhead we stopped to don waterproofs as we now had heavy drizzle to contend with. The writer [as an Englishman who has lived in Scotland for over 35 years] still can't get used to that uniquely Scottish phenomenon where there is rain and bright sunshine at the same time. We carried on across the impressive Bilston Glen Viaduct to arrive in Roslin. The heavy drizzle continued, but soon eased and gave way to blue skies. We spread out between the pub and tea room, whilst the picnickers settled on the benches on the grassy area beside the road.
We regrouped after lunch with those that had been to the tea room telling us that the service had been very slow. We retraced our outward route as far as Lasswade Road. The blue skies had given way to grey, and light rain came and went. At Gilmerton Dykes Road we headed into the new housing estate, where a mixture of quiet roads and paths led us to a sharp steep climb up Ellen's Glen Loan. Following a pause to regroup and get our breath back, we continued along Ellen's Glen Road before turning left onto Gilmerton Road for a short distance. Another left turn onto Double Hedges Road, down Kirk Brae and up Mayfield Road. We turned off and made our way through King's Buildings, crossed West Mains Road, through The Grange and returned to The Meadows where Alison declared the ride officially over.
Thanks to Alison for leading an enjoyable ride that had taken many to places they had not been before. Thanks to Saqib for back marking.
Leader: Alison
Report: Glenn
Photos: Glenn
