Next ride - February

Our next bike ride will be this coming Saturday (9th February). Julia will be leading us on what is an excellent local ride: the "reservoir route" on the edge of the Pentland Hills. This promises to be an excellent run, so do try and make it if you can.

The arrangements are the same as ever. We'll set out from the top of Middle Meadow Walk at 10.30, aiming to return by mid afternoon. There'll be a lunch stop at a cafe or pub, or you can bring your own food for an al fresco lunch if you prefer.

Inevitably this ride will involve a couple of steep-ish climbs. But we'll get those over with fairly early in the day. After that, we can expect some delightful cycling along this very scenic route, with excellent views both of the Pentlands and the Fife hills. There will be a few stretches on rough track, but for the most part we will be on quiet roads and reasonable paths. The total distance will be about 24 miles.

You might also like to know that EasyCycle's next ride will be on the 23rd February. It starts at 10.30 from Peter's Yard in Middle Meadow Walk, just a short way down the hill from our own meeting point. EasyCycle's rides are suitable for less experienced cyclists and those that prefer a really leisurely day. They usually cover 10 - 12 miles, and finish around 3 pm.

January 2013 - Leith

More than 20 people came out on today's ride - mostly familiar faces. The weather was kind - no snow, no ice (although it was fffffreeeezing cold - lots of stamping of feet and teeth chattering). The temperature meant that we didn't stand around too long, despite Jim's best efforts to show us new and interesting features as we made progress on the route.

We started by heading out East down the Innocent Railway, then turned left through Bingham and thence into Figgate Park (for a circumnavigation of the pond) and then up to see the Craigentinny marbles (an impressive tomb, set in the middle of a lot of 30s bungalows). Then back down Fishwives Causeway and to the Portobello Pottery kilns, and along the *Now Cycle Friendly* prom back west towards Leith. We used the new bridge over Seafield Place (no steps now) and then through Leith Links and stopped at RockSalt on Constitution St for lunch - who ably accommodated us (forewarned by Jim) and we had a good meal.

20milers to Leith

After, we cycled through the docks, past Ocean Terminal and the new Asda, around the Newhaven peninsula with lots of new building (and back again) and then along past the Old Chain Pier and up onto the North Edinburgh Path Network to head back towards town via the Roseburn Path.



View 20milers Jan-13 to Leith in a larger map

Half-day Christmas ride

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For the second year running, we had a short ride this year on Christmas morning. Last time, I thought we did well with a turnout of seven. Today, we tripled that number, to 21. And the weather was kind: a completely dry day after nearly a week of dreary rain.

Our route took us down the Mound and along Princes Street, which was delightfully free of traffic. Then came some hard work: an ascent of Calton Hill. We lingered by the City Observatory for ten minutes, taking in the splendid view over the Forth to the Fife Hills. Descending the hill was more difficult than going up, with most of us choosing to push our bikes down the rough, stepped path to Greenside Church rather than trying to pedal down.

From London Road, we headed north through empty streets to St. Marks Park, across the Water of Leith, and on to the Warriston Path. The paths here were busy with dog-walkers and joggers. We paused in Victoria Park for a refreshment break, where we feasted on a cornucopia of home-made mince pies, stollen, shortbread, brownies, and other treats - all unexpectedly and generously provided by members of the group (I can see this becoming an annual tradition).

Our route then took us to Fiveways, Goldenacre, Warriston Gardens, Inverleith Place and Inverleith Park. From Fettes Avenue, we climbed up to Craigleath, where we joined the Roseburn Path. The southern end of this path has now re-opened after a long closure for tram works, so we were able to cut through to Haymarket Yards and out to Haymarket Terrace.

By this time, most of the group had peeled away at various points. The remaining half dozen or so continued past St. Mary's Cathedral to Queensferry Street, where, at 12.30 and after 10 miles, we went our separate ways.

Leader: Mike
Report: Mike
Photos: Livia

December's ride to Dalkeith Country Park

Dalkeith Country Park is generally closed in the winter, meaning that our rides in the past have been at warmer times of year. This month however the regular ride date (2nd Saturday of the month) co-incided with a Christmas Market being held in the Stables area, so Ken, our leader for the day, took the opportunity for a straightforward (using well known paths) route out with a very similar route back, to get back home before lighting up time (about 3.30pm at this time of year!)

We went out to Musselburgh along the Innocent Railway and then followed Route 1 out to Whitecraig, where we turned right at the roundabout and after a shortish section of road, turned into the Dalkeith Estate - finding that a new gate has been built across the access path. If it had been locked, we would have to had found an alternative route, but luckily a driver was exiting the park at the time we were arriving, and let us through.

The Stables bar kindly opened up their bistro area so that we could all get seated for lunch - mostly hot rolls or soup - I had some mulled wine too which was very warming and welcome. The Christmas market appeared to be a merry-go-round for children, a hook-a-bag stall, "Santa's Grotto" and some stalls in the far corner which I didn't investigate.

We left the estate by a slightly different (and much muddier!) route, coming onto the Old Craighall Road into Musselburgh (where there is a cyclable path on the busy section), and then back pretty much the way we had come, before the last few standing ended up at Peter's Yard for a coffee and cake.

Next ride - Christmas Morning (short route, finished by 1pm)


View 20Milers Dec12 to Dalkeith in a larger map

November ride to Mortonhall (10th November)

For our November ride, Chris Pearson led a group of 20 riders on a fascinating route through the east and south of the city.

In bright sunshine, we left the Meadows via George Square and the Pleasance, then headed through Holyrood Park to Duddingston Village. We then proceeded along Cavalry Park Drive to Duddingston House (built in the 1760s for the Earl of Abercorn, and now housing offices and a conference centre). We continued through the quiet streets of Bingham (passing St Mary Magdalene, which Chris describes as "possibly the ugliest church in Britain"), and then along a short stretch of the Innocent Path.

Just before Asda, we took a new section of path that goes to Fort Kinnaird, and then on to Whitehill Road. We continued through Shawfair, Hilltown, Millerhill Road and Danderhall. At the padlocked gate leading into the Drum Estate, Chris surprised us by apparently using his key to enter the grounds (it was actually a bit of sleight of hand involving what looks like the door to a private house but which actually leads to a public path).

After passing Drum House (a Palladian mansion built by William Adam around 1730), we continued through Gilmerton and along Lasswade Road to the entrance to Burdiehouse Valley Park, and then across Captain's Road and into Gracemount. After crossing Howden Hall Road, we reached Mortonhall.

For lunch, we divided ourselves between the Mortonhall Stable Bar and the café in the nearby garden centre. In the bar, the server asked (politely) for payment in advance, hinting at previous difficulties with cyclists leaving without paying - no further details forthcoming.

After lunch, we took a muddy but picturesque woodland path towards Braid Road, struggling a bit up a section with loose gravel. We crossed Comiston Road into Pentland View, and then on to Braidburn Valley Park.

At this point, the first drops of rain were falling, so we hastily continued on the final section of the route, via Canaan Lane, the Astley Ainslie grounds and Whitehouse Loan, with people peeling off at various points along the way. It was another excellent ride - and, as a bonus, was completely puncture-free.

Leader: Chris
Photo: Darren

November's ride outline

Route for Saturday 10th November's ride

Chris Pearson will be leading the group on a route that covers quiet roads, little-known paths and seldom-visited villages on the south-eastern edges of the city. There are also two historic houses along the way. Lunch will be at Mortonhall. We'll probably return via the Braidburn Valley path.

 

Chris warns that there may be some short muddy sections. And, he adds, "the steep climbs will be short and the long hills will be gentle".

 

At the lunch stop, you can choose either a snack in the Stable Bar, or the café in the garden centre, which offers a good range of sandwiches, salads, soups, baked potatoes and the like. The courtyard of the Stable Bar is a good choice for those who like to bring their own food.

 

Lights

Although we fully intend to be finished by dusk, there are always the possibility of delays, so we recommend that you bring bike lights on the ride over the wintery months. 

October ride to South Queensferry (13th October)

View 20-Milers to South Queensferry 2012 Oct 13, Sat 10:14 in a larger map

One of the things we aim to do on our monthly runs is to explore lesser-known cycling routes: to introduce riders to places they might not discover on their own. On that basis, today's run was an undoubted success. Thanks to some careful map-reading and reconnaissance by Ken Roxburgh, we found a delightful place to cycle that was completely new to almost everyone on the ride.

About 20 of us set out from the Meadows, heading up the familiar NCN 1 route to Cramond Brig. There was some light rain at first, but this soon eased off, leaving a slightly damp and overcast day.

After Cramond Brig, we turned west on the minor road past the Craigiehall army base. A couple of miles later, we hauled our bikes up the steep slope to the railway path, which took us quickly into Kirkliston. We then headed north for a short stretch on the shared-use pavement alongside the busy A8000.

So far, so unremarkable. But things started to get interesting when Ken brought us to a halt by a narrow driveway leading into private grounds. A sign by the gate told us that this was one of the entrances to the Dundas Castle estate.

Dundas what? No, I'd never heard of it either. Dundas Castle, it seems, is the family home of Sir Jack Stewart-Clark. The magnficent fortified house, which is also used as a conference and wedding venue, was built in 1818, on the site of an earlier 15th Century castle. It's located in the middle of a 1,500-acre estate, and, despite its size, is completely hidden from the road. The sign by the gate made it clear that this was very much private property.

Fortunately, Ken had contacted the estate office in advance, and had obtained special permission for us to cycle through the grounds. Out of respect for the family's privacy, we had agreed not to go past the house itself, but instead took a delightful back road through a deep, secluded valley. We paused by a charming loch at the base of a craggy cliff, surrounded by mature trees. The only sign of human habitation was a former boat-house, now used as an up-market self-catering venue.

Another couple of miles of pedalling through these peaceful woods took us to the estate's north gate, from where we had a quick downhill run back to civilization, otherwise known as South Queensferry.

After lunch, we took a much better-known route: through the Dalmeny Estate on NCN 76, and so back to Cramond Brig. The last leg was through Barnton and along the Blackhall Path to the Sustrans marker by Craigleath, where we went our separate ways. The total distance to this point was 24 miles.

Thanks to Ken for devising and leading this excellent ride. Thanks also to Jim for back-marking and route-tracing, and, of course, to the staff at Dundas Castle for letting us discover their delightful and secluded corner of the world.

Leader: Ken
Report: Mike