Sunday, 15 November 2009
December's ride
Our ride on December 12th will be a straightforward run out to South Queensferry, possibly returning via the Dalmeny Estate. As always, we'll meet at the north end of Middle Meadow Walk in time for a 10.30 start. Like all our rides, this one is free and open to all.
November's Ride - A pleasant 22 miles to Balerno
Today's ride was a pleasant (but occasionally damp) run out to Balerno. Fourteen of us set out from the Meadows, taking the familiar Leamington Bridge / Fountainbridge route towards Roseburn, from where we followed the Water of Leith. At Gorgie Road, we took the path by Saughton Prison, then on via Hailes Park and Baberton Mains, rejoining the Water of Leith near Juniper Green.
Lunch for most of us was at the Grey Horse in Balerno, although a few preferred the hot soup and other fare on offer from the Farmers Market. The morning had been a mixture of light drizzle and weak sunshine, but on setting out after lunch we hit a heavy downpour -- fortunately only lasting ten minutes. After that, it was dry and sunny all the way.
The return route took us by Long Dalmahoy, Riccarton North Campus, Edinburgh Park and Corstorphine. We split up at Roseburn, 22 miles from the start point.
View Nov09 to Balerno in a larger map
Lunch for most of us was at the Grey Horse in Balerno, although a few preferred the hot soup and other fare on offer from the Farmers Market. The morning had been a mixture of light drizzle and weak sunshine, but on setting out after lunch we hit a heavy downpour -- fortunately only lasting ten minutes. After that, it was dry and sunny all the way.
The return route took us by Long Dalmahoy, Riccarton North Campus, Edinburgh Park and Corstorphine. We split up at Roseburn, 22 miles from the start point.
View Nov09 to Balerno in a larger map
Saturday, 10 October 2009
November's ride
The next ride will be on Saturday 14th November.
This month's ride
This month's ride
For this month's jaunt, Jenny Meek will be taking us out to the Balerno area. The total distance will be about 22 miles, which we'll take at our usual easy pace. From what I can see of the route, there are no particularly difficult hills to worry about, and much of it will be away from traffic. Jenny has also promised us an excellent pub for our lunch stop; those of you who prefer al fresco dining are welcome to bring a picnic.
The details
We'll meet -- as always -- at the north end of Middle Meadow Walk, in time for a 10.30 start. The ride is free, open to all, and does not require advance booking.
But do please make sure your bike is in good condition, and don't forget to bring front and back lights. Although the ride should finish well before dark, there's always a risk of delay. It would also be helpful if you could bring a spare inner tube of the right size for your bike. If a puncture strikes, having a spare tube could make the difference between a short delay and a long one.
October's ride to Craigie Farm - Cranes, Trains and Planes
Today we had 22 people on our ride. We were anticipating some not-particularly-nice weather (the forecast had been for rain) but after a chilly, damp, misty start it turned out very nice for most of the ride. The wind was gentle and we had plenty of sun. Perfect cycling weather.
View 20Milers Oct09 in a larger map
Our route today headed out through Roseburn Park, Balgreen and Corstorphine, then through South Gyle and a very quiet Edinburgh Park (I imagine that it must be very busy on a weekday - at the weekends it is dead!) with a pretty section beside the small burn that runs through the site. We then headed under the Bypass on an excellent secret path beside the burn and out beside a crane yard on the Gogar Station Road. From there we turned North and headed over the RBS bridge over the A8, then turned East briefly and then back out towards the Freight section of the airport (so we could watch planes land while we ate some jelly babies kindly provided by today's route leader Andrew). A more undulating section followed (that's code word for "hilly") as we made our way to our lunch stop at Craigie Farm where there is a deli and cafe and picnic benches.
After lunch, which was quite late today at 2/3 of the way round the route, we had a straightforward run back into town along Route 1, saying goodbye to people as they headed home until only about 5 of us were left at the Leamington Lift Bridge where the ride was declared officially Over.
View 20Milers Oct09 in a larger map
Our route today headed out through Roseburn Park, Balgreen and Corstorphine, then through South Gyle and a very quiet Edinburgh Park (I imagine that it must be very busy on a weekday - at the weekends it is dead!) with a pretty section beside the small burn that runs through the site. We then headed under the Bypass on an excellent secret path beside the burn and out beside a crane yard on the Gogar Station Road. From there we turned North and headed over the RBS bridge over the A8, then turned East briefly and then back out towards the Freight section of the airport (so we could watch planes land while we ate some jelly babies kindly provided by today's route leader Andrew). A more undulating section followed (that's code word for "hilly") as we made our way to our lunch stop at Craigie Farm where there is a deli and cafe and picnic benches.
After lunch, which was quite late today at 2/3 of the way round the route, we had a straightforward run back into town along Route 1, saying goodbye to people as they headed home until only about 5 of us were left at the Leamington Lift Bridge where the ride was declared officially Over.
Monday, 21 September 2009
Pedal for Scotland
Several 20-milers were spotted outside their home territory last Sunday (13th) on the annual Pedal for Scotland bike ride. I counted 6 that I know of, but I'm sure that there were more.
If anyone is interested in attempting it next year then I'd say - give it a go! What impressed me most was not the whooshy roadies who were half way back while I was only half way there, but the number of leisure cyclists on cheap bikes, without any special kit or maybe even not much practice, who were out there having a good time. A lot of people got off when going up hills, and lots of people stopped for a breather and a chat. I would recommend an early start however, as from experience the cakes ran out before the tail-enders arrived! And there were big queues at Victoria Park to get buses over to Glasgow. Happy pedalling!
If anyone is interested in attempting it next year then I'd say - give it a go! What impressed me most was not the whooshy roadies who were half way back while I was only half way there, but the number of leisure cyclists on cheap bikes, without any special kit or maybe even not much practice, who were out there having a good time. A lot of people got off when going up hills, and lots of people stopped for a breather and a chat. I would recommend an early start however, as from experience the cakes ran out before the tail-enders arrived! And there were big queues at Victoria Park to get buses over to Glasgow. Happy pedalling!
Saturday, 12 September 2009
October's ride
The next ride will be on Saturday 10th October (we always meet on the 2nd Saturday of the month) and will be to the West of the city. The final route is still to be confirmed but we will probably be having lunch in a farm cafe, or bring a picnic.
Update: If the weather is not windy, we'll head out via Corstorphine and Edinburgh Park, to Gogarburn, the airport, Cammo and lunch at Craigie Farm, then back in through Barnton and Roseburn - about 22 miles.
However the weather forecast has been a bit pessimistic, so if it turns out to be really windy or wet then we'll do an alternative (shorter and more sheltered) route within the city limits - Grange / Craiglochart, Water of Leith, Roseburn, Inverleith, lunch around Canonmills, Leith, Lochend and Holyrood Park - about 18 miles.
Hope to see you on the day whatever the weather!
Update: If the weather is not windy, we'll head out via Corstorphine and Edinburgh Park, to Gogarburn, the airport, Cammo and lunch at Craigie Farm, then back in through Barnton and Roseburn - about 22 miles.
However the weather forecast has been a bit pessimistic, so if it turns out to be really windy or wet then we'll do an alternative (shorter and more sheltered) route within the city limits - Grange / Craiglochart, Water of Leith, Roseburn, Inverleith, lunch around Canonmills, Leith, Lochend and Holyrood Park - about 18 miles.
Hope to see you on the day whatever the weather!
September's ride to Musselburgh
We had 22 people today and some gorgeous sunshine (is it churlish to wish that it wasn't quite so hot?!) and we headed out to Musselburgh.
View Musselburgh Sep09 in a larger map
We had only one puncture - mine, quite near the beginning - and one chain fell off. We lost someone for a couple of miles but they turned up at lunchtime. Several people had picnics beside the river which was a very good choice. On the way back to the centre we detoured off Route 1 and headed down to Fort Kinnaird. This was a new route for most people and we had a nice view over the city while we ate not-quite-homemade brownies. The spare ones at the end of the ride got donated to Edinburgh Bike Co-op staff who I always find to be very helpful. I am assured that they will be much appreciated.
Mike's photos of the ride in his Flickr album "20milers" here: LINK
View Musselburgh Sep09 in a larger map
We had only one puncture - mine, quite near the beginning - and one chain fell off. We lost someone for a couple of miles but they turned up at lunchtime. Several people had picnics beside the river which was a very good choice. On the way back to the centre we detoured off Route 1 and headed down to Fort Kinnaird. This was a new route for most people and we had a nice view over the city while we ate not-quite-homemade brownies. The spare ones at the end of the ride got donated to Edinburgh Bike Co-op staff who I always find to be very helpful. I am assured that they will be much appreciated.
Mike's photos of the ride in his Flickr album "20milers" here: LINK
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