Up high to Harlaw

In the briefing at the start of today's ride, I felt obliged to give a warning about something that rarely comes up on our rides: the risk of heat exhaustion. We are officially in the middle of a heat wave, with the afternoon's temperature forecast to reach 25C. Folk in some southern regions might not think of that as particularly hot (it has recently been over 32C in parts of southern England), but it is not something we in south east Scotland are accustomed to.

Despite the heat (or perhaps because of it), twenty riders joined us for today's outing. It was good to see several newcomers in the group. Our destination was the Harlaw Reservoir, a ride that inevitably involves some substantial climbing.

The first part of our route was a familiar one: Roseburn Park, Pinkhill, South Gyle Station, Edinburgh Park and Herriot-Watt. So far, reasonably flat. But then the climbing started – gently at first – through the back streets of Currie and Newmills. Reaching Balerno, we faced the real work of the day: the final haul up to the reservoir. In previous years, we have taken the direct route up Harlaw Road, which frankly is a slog. But last year we found a better option, via Johnsburn Road and Cockburn Crescent. It involves the same overall ascent, but is spread over a longer distance and so avoids the worst of the gradients. It is also particularly scenic, with open views to the west and a delightful wooded section through Malleny Millgate. It was this route that we took this time.

Not surprisingly, the reservoir was crowded. There were people venturing onto the water with paddle boards, inflatable dinghies and the like, not to mention the usual anglers and dog-walkers. But we all managed to find a nice spot for our picnic lunch, with some of us settling on the grassy water's bank and others heading for the walled garden. Because of the heat, some of the group were running alarmingly low on drinking water, but a pair of rangers came to our rescue by allowing us to top up our water bottles in the kitchen in the former visitor centre (which has been closed to the public for several years).

Return to town

Lunch over, we set out on the return leg. Pausing at the top of the Currie Kirkgate, we saw a remarkable view. Looking down, we could see the whole of the Firth of Forth blanketed by a low dense haar, while the rest of city and the Fife hills were all clearly visible in the sunshine. Folk in Granton, Newhaven and the Fife coastal villages must have been shivering with cold while those just half a mile inland would have been sweltering. Such are the quirks of the Scottish climate.

We continued through Easter Kinleith and then along a series of paths alongside the Clubbiedean and Torduff reservoirs. This is a very scenic route, but some of the paths were quite rough – so much so that some of us decided to dismount and push for short distances. At least it was all downhill now, with the bonus of a pleasant easterly breeze to cool us down. Before long we were off the hills and heading down through Bonaly and Colinton Mains, and then along the Braid Burn path, through Braidburn Valley Park and the Braid Estate, and so back to the Meadows.

We all managed to finish the run without any ill effects from the heat. And the reservoir proved to be an ideal spot for our picnic lunch, being high up and exposed to the cooling breeze. It was good to be able to enjoy some sunshine, given that the weather will probably soon be back to its normal uncertain state.

Leader: Mike

Report: Mike

Photos: Glenn and Mike

Three reservoirs and plenty of sun

If today wasn't the warmest day of the year, it must have been very close. Our ride saw us head up to Harlaw Reservoir in the Pentland Hills. We had a slight delay due to a mechanical issue early on, and there was a minor incident with some cows. But overall an interesting route and glorious scenery made for a great day out, with the leader receiving numerous compliments at the end.

We had a reasonable turnout of 21 riders. Amongst the regulars there were a couple of new faces and a rider we hadn't seen since pre-Covid days. It was already pleasantly warm with the sun shining down from a blue sky, with a gentle breeze as the leader gave the customary briefing. With the briefing over, we headed off to the Leamington Bridge. A rider was having a mechanical issue. Quick as a flash, Alan was there to help. A quick adjustment and we were on our way. Unfortunately, the issue wasn't cured, so another stop ensued. This time the tools came out and the delay was longer. As this occurred at the back, the leader and rest of the group were oblivious and pushed on. Stopping to regroup at the entrance to Roseburn Park, the leader was informed of the situation. After a wait and a phone call, the missing riders appeared and we set off to Edinburgh Park via Broomhall and South Gyle. Travelling in the opposite direction to usual, we took the familiar route to the Heriot Watt University campus where we stopped for a comfort break. Leaving the campus behind, we made our way through Riccarton and Currie, emerging from the new housing estate for a short stretch on the busy Lanark Road West. Leaving Balerno behind, we began the long steady climb up Bavelaw Road and Mansfield Road.  Pausing to regroup at the top of the climb, we then headed up to the Harlaw visitor centre for our lunch stop. Some riders opted for the picnic tables in the garden, whilst the rest enjoyed their picnic lunch sitting on the banks of the reservoir.

Lunch over, we headed away from the reservoir retracing our route to the road. Here we turned right  towards Currie. At the sharp left hander we went straight on rather than take the steep hill down into Currie. Shortly, the surfaced road came to an end and we were on a rough stony path for our descent past Clubbiedean and Torduff reservoirs. Before arriving at the first reservoir, following riders saw the leader stop, dismount and wheel his bike off the track and onto a wide stretch of grass. All riders followed his lead. Those at the back wondered what was happening; but as the drew closer, all became clear. A number of cows accompanied by their calves had decided to lie down in the middle of the path. To avoid disturbing or spooking them, the leader decided to give them a wide berth, especially as they had calves with them. Safely past and the lovely descent began in earnest. This was the most scenic part of the whole ride. The reservoirs and surrounding countryside look lovely at any time; but bathed in sunshine shining down from a clear blue sky looked absolutely stunning. Down off the hill and we were in the quiet back streets of Bonaly. The writer commented on how nice and colourful the houses looked. On too many previous occasions he had seen them on dull, grey and wet winter days. We headed on through Colinton, the estate behind Redford Barracks, Colinton Mains Park and Braidburn Valley Park. A short hop through the back streets of Morningside and we were on Whitehouse Loan. Here the leader declared the ride over. Thanks to Mike for leading an interesting and enjoyable ride. The numerous compliments he received were well deserved. Thanks to Alan for back marking and wielding the spanners.

Leader: Mike

Report: Glenn

Photos: Glenn 

A picnic high in the Pentlands

On a lovely warm summer's day we headed up into the Pentland Hills for a picnic lunch beside Harlaw Reservoir. There was a bit of climbing up past the lower reservoirs and some tracks were quite rough and stony, but the lovely weather and stunning views made it all worthwhile. Last month's leader, Dawn was on backmarker duty today. Following her pre-ride briefing last month, she received [an unheard of] round of applause. The same happened today when the leader announced she would be back marking.

A turnout of twenty-five riders was respectable; but given the lovely weather we might have expected
more. As ever, it was good to see some new faces in the mix. A few of our regulars were abscent;  they were off on a challenge to ride 100 miles in a day. The days where we could muster numbers in the high thirties seem to be gone. At least it meant we only needed one group today. Followimg the leader's briefing; for the second time in a month, we set off on foot wheeling our bikes past the roadworks on Middle Meadow Walk. Once clear, we mounted up and rode off towards Bruntsfield Links. From there, the back streets of Morningside took us to Braidburn Valley Park. Through the park, we continued to follow the Braid Burn and made our way through back roads in the Redford area, emerging on Redford Road. A short spell on that road and we turned left into Redford Drive.

More quiet back roads around Bonaly followed before making our way up Bonaly Road, past the primary school, over the City Bypass and along Torduff  Road to Torduff Reservoir. As we were now in the Pentland Hills, the climbing began. On past Clubbiedean Reservoir and we were on rough rocky tracks that didn't make for easy going, especially given the very dry conditions under wheel. At least the climbing was now behind us. unsurprisingly given the lovely summer weather, it was very busy at Harlaw Visitor Centre. All the picnic tables were taken, so lunch was taken on the banks of Harlaw Reservoir. A picnic lunch on a fine sunny day sitting in the Pentlands beside a reservoir in good company - what more could anyone want? Oh, and the satisfaction of having gotten there under one's own steam.

Lunch over; we rode off along the track past Threipmuir Reservoir to begin the descent of Mansfield
Road. The road was in a terrible state and we all had to be aware of the awful potholes that could so easily catch out the unwary; especially on a descent. We all made it safely down into Balerno. There was a long queue of traffic on the main road out of town due to temporary traffic lights. The group circumvented these, and soon we had left the busy road behind and were enjoying the Water of Leith path. Onwards through the Colinton Tunnel (which always reminds the writer of the "Italian Job") to the canal. Here, we would usually follow the canal back into town. But not this time. The leader took us away from the canal on an unfamiliar [to many] route through Redhall. We crossed Longstone Road and a [very easy to miss] cut-through beside the Longstone Inn took us onto a path that led to Stenhouse. From there we went through Saughton Park and on to Murrayfield where preparations were under way for the evening's Rolling Stones concert. Through Roseburn Park, and the familiar route via Russell Road, Dalry Road, the Telfer subway, Leamington Bridge and the King's Theatre saw us return to the Meadows.

Thanks to David for leading us on such a lovely route through the Pentlands on such a glorious day.
Interesting little twist near the end by taking us through Redhall and Longstone - somewhere very few of us had been before.

Leader: David
Report: Glenn
Photos: Glenn
Map trace: David