When planning our rides, we try to avoid too much repetition: heading many times to the same old places by exactly the same routes. But often, by introducing a few subtle changes to a route, we can refresh an otherwise over-familiar journey. Today's outing was a case in point. Our goal was South Queensferry, a place we have visited dozens of times before, including as recently as last May. But this time, our leader, Yaz, made the outing that much more interesting by adding a few variations to the route, including to places where some of the group had never ridden before.
Nineteen riders mustered at the meeting point. The day was somewhat overcast but warmer than of late, with only a moderate breeze. In her briefing, the leader welcomed several newcomers and then gave us an overview of the route. On setting off, we almost immediately came to Variation No. 1. Instead of heading down Middle Meadow Walk and across Bruntsfield Links in the time-honoured way, we turned into the Quartermile. We passed the splendid new Futures Institute, which many in the group were seeing for the first time after the removal of the builders' hoardings around the site.
We exited the Quartermile into Lauriston Place, and then continued via Lady Lawson Street, Festival Square and Rutland Square to Shandwick Place and the West End. Unfortunately, the lovely new segregated bike path in Melville Street was blocked off by road works and we were forced into the road, where contra-flow traffic lights were operating. When completed, these works should result in a greatly-improved street layout around the junction of Walker Street, especially for cyclists. For now, they were a nuisance, albeit a minor one.
Another first
The next part of the route was another first for many in our group: the CCWEL. This segregated bike path, which runs through the city centre, was opened just six months ago. It took us quickly to Wester Coates, where we joined the well-worn Roseburn Path. The next eight miles were in familiar territory: Craigleith, Barnton, Cramond Brig, Chapel Gate and the village of Dalmeny. Then came Variation No. 2. Instead of our usual route by the sports centre and Roseberry Avenue, we dropped down to the bike path that runs alongside the railway line. This took us onto the delightful Ferry Glen Path, a well-surfaced high-level path that offers a fine view of the Forth Bridge and the Firth of Forth.
Leaving the path at the Co-op, we headed down The Loan and into the old part of Queensferry for our lunch stop. One or two of our riders made for the Little Bakery café. The rest of us made ourselves comfortable at our usual picnic spot on the steps overlooking the firth.
As picnic sites go, this is one of the better ones, with take-away hot drinks available from a nearby shop and public toilets just across the street. Two of our riders – both newcomers to the group – mentioned that this was not only their first visit to South Queensferry but also the first time they had seen the Forth Bridge close up. It's always satisfying when we can introduce people to places they had not been to before.
We had made good time through the morning, and by 1 pm we were on our way again. And so came Variation No. 3. Often on our Queensferry runs, we would head east at this point, along the cobbled main street and into the Dalmeny Estate. But to avoid the very rough – and possibly muddy – paths in the estate, this time we headed west, passing the harbour and then tackling the climb up Hopetoun Road. Where the road passes under the Forth Road Bridge, we turned back along Stewart Terrace and through the Hewlett-Packard Estate (that's not its official name, by the way, but it's what many people call it). Once again in Dalmeny village, we retraced our outward route via Cramond Brig and Barnton. As is often the case, several members of the group peeled off at Craigleith. The rest of us continued on the Roseburn Path and the CCWEL. The only difficulty of returning by this route is that Lady Lawson Street is one-way, with no exception for cyclists, forcing us to dismount and push our bikes. Fortunately, this is only for a short distance. Almost immediately after mounting up again, we were back in the Quartermile. At that point, our leader declared the ride over – fortuitously, right next to the Caffe Nero, which is one of the usual coffee stops after our rides.
So many thanks to Yaz for leading us on such an enjoyable ride, and especially for finding those clever variations that added so much interest to what is already a very pleasant route.
Leader: Yaz
Report and photos: Mike
