An educational in-town ride for March

For this month's ride (9th March), we took an unusual route through the south and east of the city. Ten people turned up, which I thought was pretty good, considering the awful weather (steady rain and a freezing easterly wind).

We headed out through the Grange and were soon climbing the eastern slopes of Blackford Hill. We paused for a few minutes while our leader, Andy Hunter, pointed out an exposed outcrop known as Agassiz Rock. It was here in 1840 that the Swiss geologist, Louis Agassiz, noticed the distinctive grooving in the rock, which he attributed to the action of ancient glaciers - an observation which laid the foundation for modern theories of geology.

Fortified with that knowledge, we continued down Blackford Glen Road, across Gilmerton Road, and into the Inch Park. After crossing Old Dalkeith Road, we climbed a steep path towards the back of Craigmillar Castle. The path was narrow and somewhat muddy, and we ended up pushing our bikes most of the way up.

While stopping for a breather near the castle (see photo), Andy told us how Mary Queen of Scots, who lived here at various times in the 1560s, would look out over the fields where we now stood, and where her French entourage was camped. She is said to have referred to the view as "my little France". The name stuck.

A short downhill run now took us to Duddingston Road West, and then to the familiar Innocent Railway path. We left the path at Magdelene Gardens, and headed north by Hope Lane, and so to the Portobello Promenade to look for a lunch stop.

By now, the wind was on the attack with renewed vigour, and the footway was being drenched by spray. With a chill factor well into the minus zone, even the hardened picnickers amongst us decided to forgo the idea of an al fresco lunch. Instead, we opted for the Espy pub, which was warm and welcoming.

As you can imagine, it took a good dose of willpower for us to drag ourselves back to the bikes after lunch. The rain had now stopped, but the wind was still bitterly cold, and we had to dodge the waves as we continued along the prom.

At Seafield, we left the shore, and used the excellent new access point to get to the path by the cemetery. This much-impoved path reaches Leith Links by means of a useful new bridge.

After crossing the links, we headed to the Water of Leith path, which we followed all the way through Warriston, Canonmills, Stockbridge, Dean Village and Roseburn. Most of the group peeled off at various points along this section of the route, so with only three riders remaining, the ride was officially declared finished at Ashley Terrace. At 21 miles, it was another excellent run - and an educational one at that.



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Leader: Andy
Photo and map: Andy
Report: Mike

March's ride

This Saturday's ride will be a chance to explore some interesting bike routes within the city. We'll be cycling on paths and quiet roads for much of the way, with no particularly difficulties of any kind. Depending on the exact route we take, the total distance will be between 18 and 22 miles. Our leader will be Andy Hunter.

 

For lunch, we'll stop at a cafe in the Portobello area, where we'll be able to get sandwiches or hot snacks. There's also be a nice picnic spot for those who prefer to bring their own food.

 

As always, we'll set out from Middle Meadow Walk at 10.30, with the ride finishing some time around mid afternoon. The ride is completely free and open to all, with no need to book in advance.

February's ride to the Reservoirs

Some nineteen intrepid riders headed for the hills on 9Feb,  in hazy sunshine. After a swift climb up Braid Avenue, we headed through Greenbank to Comiston Rd past Firrhill High School, climbing Woodhall Rd and joining the Water of Leith path NCN75 near Juniper Green.

A gentle, steady climb offroad ensued, and up to Balerno for lunch at the Grey Horse - although the Balerno Farmers' Market was also an option, provided you caught them before they closed the stalls at 12:30. 

After lunch we rambled through the residential bit to the south of Balerno to the bus terminus, then a wee steep pull up to Red Moss, the apex of the ride.  After admiring the view, we glided gracefully past the four reservoirs (it was downhill after all), Threepmuir, Harlaw, Clubbidean and Torduff, stopping at the Ranger's Cottage in between, and emerging from the hills to cross the bypass at Bonaly.

From there, along Redford drive and Redford Bank, Passing Colinton mains park and traversing Braidburn Valley Park, then Oswald Rd to Marchmont, and ending up with 9 survivors celebrating with a coffee at Peter's yard.


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Leader: Julia
Ride report: Jim

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.



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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)


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