http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: awesome bike ride en Sun, 17 May 2026 10:36:46 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=10824#post-121551 Mon, 12 Aug 2013 12:34:30 +0000 Charterhall 121551@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@CM and LF, thanks, I can now look this up on a proper paper map... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=10824#post-121543 Mon, 12 Aug 2013 11:53:20 +0000 lionfish 121543@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@gibbo - heh. I'd not noticed: It's a good sign - means the roads are quiet :)<br /> I meant to write this up into text so people can follow it - but a bit lazy :P (sorry Charterhall)... ah, finally scrolled to bottom of thread, thanks Cyclingmollie for the list :) perfect!</p> <p>@Uberuce: We wild-camped two nights on our earlier tandem ride down to Peebles too. And what Darkerside said! It's really awesome :D Basically I think the main rule is you shouldn't camp near to houses, but I think that's about it.</p> <p>Thinking about it, I suspect CCE members could manage the whole thing in a day (especially not lugging a tent etc!). So a half-way stop probably isn't necessary (but it's part of the fun :).</p> <p>@sally: Yeah, it did take a while but I didn't mind! I'd recommend the home-made stick-toffee pudding, if anyone's considering it...</p> <p>@Cyclingmollie: Ooh cool! The responsibility of someone following our route! I should have warned you of two things:<br /> 1. It's a bit overgrown (with stinging nettles) near the footbridge! 2. And the last mile on the A698 is a bit not-so-nice, but there's a pavement so if you want to break the rules in the interests of safety, that's an option.</p> <p>Also glad I didn't put in the gps trace as it suggested following the disused railway parallel to the A698 - which we did until we got to a difficult field, and ended up having to lug our bikes over two stiles. :P</p> <p>@LB "I thought East Coast or Cross Country had a policy of not allowing bikes into their empty bike spaces without a reservation." -- oops, oh well :)</p> <p>Sorry didn't reply to all these posts sooner - haven't been checking in often enough :) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=10824#post-121534 Mon, 12 Aug 2013 10:54:33 +0000 Cyclingmollie 121534@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Charterhall: "Links don't work for me either. Whatever happened to describing a route in words?"</p> <p>Musselburgh, Tranent, Haddington, Bearford, Traprain, Bielmill, Pitcox, Little Spott, Spott Loan, the Brunt, Innerwick, Oldhamstocks, Ecclaw, Abbey St Bathans and back. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=10824#post-121531 Mon, 12 Aug 2013 10:51:56 +0000 LaidBack 121531@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Looks like a really nice route. I've heard about the cafe at St Bathans. One day I'll get there. You got the train back from Berwick? I thought East Coast or Cross Country had a policy of not allowing bikes into their empty bike spaces without a reservation. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=10824#post-121528 Mon, 12 Aug 2013 10:23:16 +0000 Wilmington's Cow 121528@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"<em>Whatever happened to describing a route in words ?</em>"</p> <p>The forum can probably only take posts that are so long.... ;) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=10824#post-121526 Mon, 12 Aug 2013 10:05:59 +0000 steveo 121526@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Bivvy bag, you don't need a midge net you just go higher! In the last five years I've camped on a proper campsite once, it was hateful a Glasgow family were enjoying them selves to well into the night and we were knackered from riding all day. We just had to go to the pub and get drunk enough to sleep over the noise!</p> <p>Coupled with a light/down sleeping bag your over night kit will fit in any long flap caradice. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=10824#post-121524 Mon, 12 Aug 2013 10:04:57 +0000 Charterhall 121524@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Links don't work for me either. Whatever happened to describing a route in words ? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=10824#post-121523 Mon, 12 Aug 2013 09:51:39 +0000 Darkerside 121523@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I can answer the wild camping stuff.</p> <p>Due to Scotland's superb outdoor access code, wild camping effectively anywhere that you'd actually <em>want</em> to camp is legal, providing you leave no trace, etc. The tour of Scotland I did a few years back was great - we took a pair of camping hammocks* and just found a likely bunch of trees every night. </p> <p>Make the most of it! </p> <p>*Hennesey asymmetrics. Highly recommended. Built in tarp and midge netting, lightweight, incredibly comfortable, doesn't require level ground, doesn't crush undergrowth, can cook in shelter. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=10824#post-121517 Mon, 12 Aug 2013 09:36:22 +0000 Cyclingmollie 121517@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I followed your route yesterday. I agree that it is awesome; much better than the Garvald/Whiteadder route. I didn't visit the cafe but if I had I might have bumped into amir who was there at around the same time. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=10824#post-120275 Thu, 01 Aug 2013 20:40:14 +0000 cb 120275@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Sounds good but those map links didn't work on this iPad. The 2nd one took me to Mexico! I'll check it out later on a proper computer. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=10824#post-120264 Thu, 01 Aug 2013 19:30:32 +0000 sallyhinch 120264@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The Abbey St Bathan's cafe is lovely (although sometimes the food can take ages to arrive). My parents' neck of the woods... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=10824#post-120262 Thu, 01 Aug 2013 19:02:11 +0000 Uberuce 120262@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Looks like a splendid jaunt! I've had a wild camp trip somewhere in the back of my mind ever since I got the trailer, so over a year ago. How does that work, then? </p> <p>Do you need to cover your tent in a ghillie suit in case the Feds bust yo ass? Or does no-one care? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=10824#post-120203 Thu, 01 Aug 2013 12:38:15 +0000 gibbo 120203@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I like the google maps directions:</p> <p>"Via Unknown road, Unknown road, Unknown road, Unknown road, High Rd, Spott Loan, Unknown road, Unknown road, Unknown road"</p> <p>Lol! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=10824#post-120200 Thu, 01 Aug 2013 12:26:01 +0000 lionfish 120200@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@amir - oh yeah, forgot to say: We got on the train back no problem (with no bike reservation). Also the trains are regular, so worse-case you'd have to wait 30 minutes for the next one. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=10824#post-120196 Thu, 01 Aug 2013 12:14:17 +0000 amir 120196@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>That sound lovely. Thanks for the cafe recommendation. Did you come back by rail? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=10824#post-120195 Thu, 01 Aug 2013 12:04:26 +0000 lionfish 120195@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>In response to Smudge's request to be more positive!...</p> <p>minimoth and I went on a lovely cycle</p> <p><a href="http://goo.gl/maps/F4gv9" rel="nofollow">http://goo.gl/maps/F4gv9</a><br /> then over a footbridge that google doesn't know about...<br /> <a href="http://goo.gl/maps/OiZKY" rel="nofollow">http://goo.gl/maps/OiZKY</a></p> <p>We found a most amazing cafe!</p> <p><a href="http://goo.gl/maps/Z90Qx" rel="nofollow">http://goo.gl/maps/Z90Qx</a></p> <p>has a lovely tiny courtyard full of plants, yummy food, relaxed and very quiet :)</p> <p>We wild camped somewhere in a little valley (near a nature reserve) by a stream.</p> <p>The weather was amazing, and our bikes held out - although I discovered I had a broken spoke.</p> <p>Will get 'round to uploading pictures some time :D </p>