Tomorrow's ride

Remember to bring a picnic! There are several sandwich shops near the top of Middle Meadow Walk, though.

June's Ride

Saturday 14th June is the next 20-milers outing, as part of Bike Week.

June's ride will be to Balerno and Red Moss, with a picnic lunch at the Riccarton Garden Centre (hot drinks available, but bring your own food). Total distance will be about 22 miles. The ride will end around 16.00.

Meet: 10.30, at the north end of Middle Meadow Walk (junction of Lauriston Place). Cost and booking: Free; just turn up. Further information: Mike Lewis (0131 343 2520) or Chris Pearson (0131 343 2685),

Ride Report

The largest group of 20 milers so far this year - 27 at the start - tackled a wiggly route around the South of Edinburgh. The theme was "South Edinburgh Parks" and by my reckoning we went through 10: The Meadows, Holyrood Park, Jewel Park, Burdiehouse Valley Park, The Braids, Fairmilehead Park, Braidburn Valley Park, The Hermitage of Braid, The Inch Park and Craigmillar Castle Park - not to mention more green spaces near the new ERI and Mortonhall.

South Edinburgh Parks

There were some hills and some bumpy paths, and given the amount of broken glass on Edinburgh's paths (as always) we were lucky to make it round with only 2 punctures. Everyone enjoyed the warm spring weather - we even made it to the end of the ride before it started to rain, although there were plenty of rumbles of thunder before then.

The next ride is on Saturday 14th of June, and will be heading out to Balerno. More details nearer the time.

See Mike Lewis' flickr site for more photos from the ride.

Map of 10 May ride

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South Edinburgh Parks

For May's ride (Saturday 10th May) we will head out via the Innocent Railway, turning south to the Royal Infirmary and then a gentle climb via the Burdiehouse Valley Park to the lunch stop at Mortonhall Garden Centre where we can picnic or eat in the cafe, which has an excellent range of sandwiches, hot food and cakes. We will return via the Hermitage of Braid and Craigmillar Castle Park.

The ride will be just under 20 miles, on prepared paths and quiet roads, with some short stretches of tracks.

Meet: 10.30am at the north end of Middle Meadow Walk (junction of Lauriston Place).
Cost and booking: free, just turn up.
Further information: Mike Lewis (0131 343 2520) or Chris Pearson (0131 343 2685) or email

Ride report

Gateways to the East

Today's ride was a little longer than normal - just over 25 miles - and 17 warmly wrapped up cyclists turned up at Middle Meadow Walk with the prospect of "sunshine and showers" - but luckily not much wind. Much better weather than the rainstorm which saw March's ride being abandoned.

We tackled the Hill challenge that Darren set us (up to the start of the Pencaitland Railway) and also made it through the muddy puddles near Newhailes House. Many people on the ride managed more than 30mph going down one super hill into Dalkeith. We had 2 punctures today - unusual as we often seem to go for months with none at all - however we completed the ride by the promised finishing time of 4pm.


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Were you on the ride? What did you think? Please leave a comment.

Gateways to the East

We are looking forward to an excellent ride this coming Saturday (12th April).

Darren Mirfield will be leading us on a tour of three railway paths which he calls "Gateways to the East". These are "excellent and scenic routes, traffic-free corridors that will get us into the heart of East Lothian". The total distance will be 24 miles, with only a few moderate hills. Some short stretches might be muddy.

Lunch will be in Musselburgh, where there is a choice or cafes (or bring a picnic if you prefer). Note that the lunch stop will be slightly later than usual, so adjust your appetite accordingly.

Details

We'll gather at the top of Middle Meadow Walk (by the Lauriston Place traffic lights) in time for a 10.30 start. Because this ride will be slightly longer than usual, you should plan to be back in town around 16.00.

By the way, for those of you who like to buy a snack to take on the ride, Sainsbury's have kindly opened a new branch right by our meeting point.