http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: 2014-06-21 CCG/CCE meet at the Falkirk Wheel en Tue, 23 Jun 2026 11:25:32 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=11733&page=3#post-157644 Sun, 22 Jun 2014 12:18:55 +0000 wingpig 157644@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I eventually recognised some of the road we took back from Linlithgow, having been most of the way along it in the other direction sometime in September when I was experimenting with the roads equivalent to thr Dalmeny-Newbridge path then going west to see where I ended up. I haven't yet worked out which road I took to get from somewhere west of Bridgend to the Almond. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=11733&page=3#post-157640 Sun, 22 Jun 2014 11:47:06 +0000 Uberuce 157640@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Gembo: Ah yes, that is quite the incline. I blame the fine and recently ingested espresso for how jittery I felt going down it. Nothing to do with me being a wuss, nosireebob.</p> <p>Tammytroot: I saw your jersey and was swithering as to comment, but I was already far behind the other two, having stopped to retrieve my light and then been entirely incapable of catching up. I guessed you'd already been asked by Gembo, so I pressed on. Wrong! Sorry.<br /> I was the clacky-sounding bearded guy in road cleats, holding a fairly bright front light in hand, and still wearing sunglasses <u>in a dark tunnel</u> because I'd had them on for so long that I'd completely forgotten about it. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=11733&page=3#post-157631 Sun, 22 Jun 2014 09:09:26 +0000 gembo 157631@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>It is like Paris roubaix but without any Tarmac except the 150 metres near polmont</p> <p>If I was going to Linlithgow now from Balerno but not meeting my pal who lives iin Broxie I have now connected newbridge to winchburgh. This is the good thing about getting a bit lost after the fact you work out better routes. I now also see better escape routes from canal at Broxburn and at cliftonhall.</p> <p>Should also say that bits of the towpath have been improved - the new marina at Ratho where there is a small swing bridge (well it pivots to allow non existent barges into the empty wharf. (Think model village wharf and swing bridge) the section at Broxburn also. </p> <p>Are sustrans planning to get it all tarmaced or would that encourage the boy racers? We encountered several joggers with headphones who could not hear bells but could hear voices and quite a lot of the hearing impaired community of west Lothian. But we were very polite and lots of pleasantries and banter. I also encountered a very big quite scary man lurking at a bridge between winchburgh and Broxburn with a large bottle of cider. He felt it was a very warm day, particularly for a Saturday. I agreed and pedalled a little harder. We also spotted the bing with the very flat top which is where the aliens land their ships when they visit west Lothian (epicentre of alien activity in Scotland apparently)</p> <p>Uberuce if you remember the descent at the start of our ride (ravelrig hill) that is the one I ended up climbing at the end. So the granny came in very handy. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=11733&page=3#post-157629 Sun, 22 Jun 2014 08:48:03 +0000 wingpig 157629@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Very glad I replaced my front 23mm with a 28mm before canalling. The last time I went any distance out of town on the canal was on the 35mm-equipped sparebike, and even then I gave up and joined the road at Winchburgh. I'd forgotten about all the cobbled sluicey weir things, too, though they're only short. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=11733&page=3#post-157628 Sun, 22 Jun 2014 08:43:51 +0000 tammytroot 157628@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I agree, road would be better, either that or I will have to buy a mountain bike, (N+1) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=11733&page=3#post-157627 Sun, 22 Jun 2014 08:30:17 +0000 gembo 157627@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>There was a sarcoma charity ride heading east when we were heading west and it was lucky we encountered them when the path was wider</p> <p>We also passed an interesting group of tourists, two men, two women all with shaved legs and Lycra kit on mountain bikes.</p> <p>Was thinking kelpies next time and there seems to be a path before the wee tunnel that gets locked that might go down to the forth and Clyde canal?</p> <p>If doing this again I think I might go road to Kirkliston, road to Linlithgow then take the towpath, it is less bad from Linlithgow to Falkirk.</p> <p>Early Sunday morning the kirkliston Linlithgow road is very quiet </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=11733&page=3#post-157622 Sat, 21 Jun 2014 23:02:08 +0000 biketrain 157622@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@gembo<br /> I saw a couple of groups on my way to the wheel one had 5 riders on mountain bikes.<br /> I will need to get a CCE t-shirt. Better luck next time. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=11733&page=3#post-157620 Sat, 21 Jun 2014 22:40:25 +0000 gembo 157620@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@biketrain we were certainly heading back east after 1400 hours, shame we failed to conmect </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=11733&page=3#post-157618 Sat, 21 Jun 2014 22:24:05 +0000 wee folding bike 157618@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>i was instructed to take boys to Maleficent.</p> <p>It was quite good. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=11733&page=3#post-157615 Sat, 21 Jun 2014 22:08:42 +0000 chdot 157615@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"I saw lots of cyclists but did not recognise anyone"</p> <p>Think Helix will encourage a lot of pool to cycle. </p> <p>CCE has (only) a couple of members in Falkirk area. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=11733&page=3#post-157612 Sat, 21 Jun 2014 21:50:34 +0000 biketrain 157612@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@wingpig I took my kids and a friends kids to party nr Falkirk High Station. Hence a bit later than planned.<br /> I joined tow path just north of the big tunnel at about 14:10 and got to the wheel about 14:25<br /> I may have passed you on that section.<br /> Good idea to post picture of your bikes.<br /> I found a couple of red bikes but none with same markings.<br /> Ended up having a great ride out to the Kelpies and then to end of tow path nr the tidal bit.<br /> I then returned via same route.<br /> @chdot I saw lots of cyclists but did not recognise anyone. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=11733&page=3#post-157608 Sat, 21 Jun 2014 20:49:28 +0000 Darkerside 157608@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Umm, yeah.</p> <p>CCG contingent would've been me, but my permit to leave was removed following a sleepless night for Mrs DarkerSide. So round 1 of the Clash Of The Forums turned into a bit of a forfeit...</p> <p>I'd packed the Frisbee last night and everything. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=11733&page=3#post-157604 Sat, 21 Jun 2014 19:55:56 +0000 tammytroot 157604@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>A near spot for both of us! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=11733&page=2#post-157597 Sat, 21 Jun 2014 19:00:06 +0000 gembo 157597@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Tammytroot</p> <p>I believe I did pick you out.In the big long tunnel you came passed me heading west, me heading east in my tunnocks tea cake yellow jersey, you were in your blue CCE top. I then shouted Gembo Rules. Pity. We left slightly later than discussed due to a baby that needed fed. Three from CCE in the end Zero from CCG</p> <p>Good day for it. On way home uberuce and Wingpig bailed at Linlithgow in search of decent Tarmac. I thought I would tough it out on the towpath to avoid climb from newbridge up to Balerno. Alas I cracked about three miles short of Ratho and went off in search of a proper road. Ended up outside a very nice looking mansion Illeston. There was a sign for carpark and a sign at the door but on closer inspection these were hand made so I think I nearly crashed a posh party. I was then set upon by a very fierce but very small dog attached to the property. I beat the retreat and ended up on a dead end road that led to almondell country park. This worked as Tarmac nice and no cars. However I then ended up with three climbs that I was hoping to avoid.</p> <p>Anyway, aside from the last bit it was a grand day out. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=11733&page=2#post-157595 Sat, 21 Jun 2014 18:20:05 +0000 tammytroot 157595@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>So, I arrived at the wheel about 11. Didn't see anyone I recognised. Spoke to a few cyclists but no one from CCE (or CCG). Waited till about 12 ish then headed back alone,<br /> Might have been me someone saw in tunnel, I wore my CCE jersey so anyone from the party could pick me out,<br /> Ah well, a good stretch of the legs,<br /> See you all next time, (maybe)<br /> :( </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=11733&page=2#post-157594 Sat, 21 Jun 2014 18:15:41 +0000 wingpig 157594@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@biketrain What time did you get there? We probably left at just before 14:00... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=11733&page=2#post-157591 Sat, 21 Jun 2014 16:41:47 +0000 wingpig 157591@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Those two saw a CCE jersey in the big tunnel. I saw a former manager jogging through Ratho. Gembo saw a person from his work looking for ducks. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=11733&page=2#post-157589 Sat, 21 Jun 2014 16:32:32 +0000 chdot 157589@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Did you <em>meet</em> anyone? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=11733&page=2#post-157588 Sat, 21 Jun 2014 16:27:52 +0000 Uberuce 157588@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Turns out the Croix, when shod in 25mm Gatorskins, is a vurry poor choice of steed for the Hermiston-Linlithgow stretch, and that road cleats are a poor choice for the aqueducts and especially the Falkirk Bit Spooky But Even More Slidey Tunnel.</p> <p>I must admit I didn't enjoy the aforemention canal section at all, and on the return leg bailed from the canal and Gembo at Linlithgow, as did wingpig, although more for reasons of time limit than comfort in his case.</p> <p>I'd not seen the Wheel before, and it is a fearsomely sized piece of heavy engineering. Impressive.</p> <p>Excellent company as ever, and I would recommend a trip to the Kelpies too(we didn't have time) although I'd be on the MTB for another canal jaunt. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=11733&page=2#post-157582 Sat, 21 Jun 2014 14:33:57 +0000 chdot 157582@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Better late than never. </p> <p>Or something. </p> <p>At least you know the three bikes to look out for! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=11733&page=2#post-157581 Sat, 21 Jun 2014 14:30:29 +0000 biketrain 157581@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Just arrived. Think I am a bit late. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=11733&page=2#post-157578 Sat, 21 Jun 2014 13:15:20 +0000 wingpig 157578@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/wingpig/14472188665/"><img src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2912/14472188665_7a2e12dc7a_n.jpg"></a><br /> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/wingpig/14472188665/">IMAG1355</a> by <a href="https://www.flickr.com/people/wingpig/">wingpig</a>, on Flickr </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=11733&page=2#post-157501 Fri, 20 Jun 2014 13:48:29 +0000 Darkerside 157501@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Middayish at the kelpies then? It may just be me from the Glasgow side, but I'll see who I can wrangle up... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=11733&page=2#post-157482 Fri, 20 Jun 2014 12:01:30 +0000 wingpig 157482@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><blockquote><em>"at hermiston at 9ish"</em></blockquote></p> <p>The Gait or the House Road? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=11733&page=2#post-157462 Fri, 20 Jun 2014 10:18:50 +0000 Uberuce 157462@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I believe you have a deal, Mr Gembo. PM me your address and suchlike and I'll trundle up in due course. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=11733&page=2#post-157455 Fri, 20 Jun 2014 10:08:52 +0000 algo 157455@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>alas I won't be able to make this, which is a great shame as I was looking forward to it. I hope it's a good ride and fun day out…. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=11733&page=2#post-157440 Fri, 20 Jun 2014 09:21:07 +0000 wee folding bike 157440@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Why does it wear out?</p> <p>Still in negotiations. I'm going to a bbq in Anniesland in the late afternoon/early evening which might limit my pass outs. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=11733&page=2#post-157430 Fri, 20 Jun 2014 07:16:24 +0000 gembo 157430@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Remember, we will get there before the weegees as our bit is a little shorter and an awful lot drier</p> <p>Say you left at 8 ish and I hook up with you at hermiston at 9ish that would work.</p> <p>Uberuce, Wingpig seems uninterested in my potatoes, the lovely purple flowers are out on my earlies. As you have been cycling passed my house on many evenings recently why don't you come in and have an espresso from my machine then we can scoot down to hermiston? </p> <p>I will be on single speed, well it has three gears but I don't like changing as it wears out the cog. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=11733&page=2#post-157407 Thu, 19 Jun 2014 20:59:44 +0000 wingpig 157407@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@Uberuce I will be prepared.</p> <p><a href="https://flic.kr/p/nKoqyB"><img src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2904/14274476547_7ff9ceb3d0_n.jpg"></a></p> <p>I have until at least four, so could possibly start a bit later, but bear in mind it'll be less horrifyingly warm a little earlier. Bagsy any areas of shadow at the Wheel. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=11733&page=2#post-157405 Thu, 19 Jun 2014 19:48:55 +0000 gembo 157405@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Wingpig you can come out here and watch my potatoes growing until kaputnik is ready, he could give me an hour's start and still get there before me </p>