http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: Public transport gets cyclist's goat shock en Wed, 08 Apr 2026 03:07:59 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13170&page=2#post-160291 Thu, 24 Jul 2014 23:36:16 +0000 minus six 160291@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>respect to everyone out there getting the miles in</p> <p>i've got a contador jink going on, dunno what that's all about </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13170&page=2#post-160288 Thu, 24 Jul 2014 23:12:34 +0000 adamthekiwi 160288@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@IWRATS: Ta, I'll take that offer! Especially as I managed 2hrs47 on the way home, which I'm even more stoked with!</p> <p>@Beano, twq: The route I take goes over the bridge, around Dunfermline then down to Alloa o on the old railway path. My GPS reports it as 76.2km, so a total of 94.7 miles return. Total time was 5hrs33, so an average of just over 17mph - that was on my road bike and was going for it, though. Fuel for the way out was a breakfast of an Apple and a banana, a Clif bar after an hour and then dried apricots and jelly-babies, with one sugary-drink bottle and with water and dioralyte. Fuel on the way back was clearly not so well managed because I met The Man With The Hammer climbing of the Dalmeny... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13170&page=2#post-160280 Thu, 24 Jul 2014 21:21:20 +0000 lorlane 160280@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Tried the no-traffic route today @cb and it was great. Very quiet/peaceful in both directions. Couldn't re-trace my steps on the way home as there were some one way sections but managed cobble something together and cycled most of the way - only got off to push on that return section towards Rutland Sq.</p> <p>I will certainly use this route again and would recommend! </p> <p>Feedback on George Street: I found it quite intuitive going East towards St Andrew Sq (although there are no traffic lights facing us on one of the pedestrian crossing which meant I spotted the green man a little late) but not so straightforward going West! Twice had to correct myself from (a) going ahead onto the "cars" section at one of the roundabouts, then (b) once back onto the right side of the road had to remember to go ROUND the roundabout and not straight ahead! Should the cycle lane be marked all the way and not disappear into "dots" at these roundabouts? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13170&page=2#post-160235 Thu, 24 Jul 2014 15:23:41 +0000 cb 160235@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Worth getting off and pushing across then? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13170&page=2#post-160229 Thu, 24 Jul 2014 13:52:57 +0000 wingpig 160229@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>"but from Rutland Square you could then go over to Stafford St"</em></p> <p>No you can't. Left turn for taxis/cycles only, Cyclestreets or no cyclestreets, so you'd technically legally have to loop round Atholl Crescent and The Opposite Crescent To Atholl Crescent to get to Shandwick Place eastbound to get to Stafford St. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13170#post-160228 Thu, 24 Jul 2014 13:45:03 +0000 cb 160228@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@LORLANE, the traffic free route is trickyish to follow in places the first time you use it.</p> <p>Head down the path to the left side of Louden's.<br /> Then you need to go kind of straight-ahead-ish, but make sure you cut up to get into the middle of the Scottish Widows circular building.</p> <p>Through (under) the building to the north and keep right for the ramp (steps on the left).</p> <p>Then across Morrison St and down the right hand side of the Exhibition Centre, but watch out for the subtle-not-all-that-visible steps dead ahead.</p> <p>Dodging the steps to the left or right keep going ahead but you really need to keep a close eye for the tunnel/ cut-through on the left. I seem to recall that it isn;t actually signposted.</p> <p>That will lead you across a bridge over the West Approach Road. At the far side keep right for the ramp. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13170#post-160227 Thu, 24 Jul 2014 13:40:19 +0000 twq 160227@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@Beano I'm estimating 40 miles in 2.75hrs is 14.5mph. Or just over 23km/h in civilised units. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13170#post-160226 Thu, 24 Jul 2014 13:35:27 +0000 cb 160226@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I think the OSM updater in question posts on here occasionally. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13170#post-160225 Thu, 24 Jul 2014 13:21:06 +0000 neddie 160225@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I love how someone has already updated OSM to show the new cycle path on George St and traffic on the South side only! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13170#post-160224 Thu, 24 Jul 2014 13:19:17 +0000 Beano 160224@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@ adam - what mph average are you doing on the Edinburgh to Stirling run? </p> <p>not that i'm mph-daft or anything...just wondered what someone cycling for almost 3 hours averages!! and how they stay fuelled! :) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13170#post-160221 Thu, 24 Jul 2014 13:07:20 +0000 lorlane 160221@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Thank-you @cb and @morningsider. It's a bit grim as soon as you enter the city as far as cycling goes (not very encouraging). I'll try the traffic-free option today. It looks much better than the result I got from googling.</p> <p>Thanks again. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13170#post-160217 Thu, 24 Jul 2014 12:54:17 +0000 Morningsider 160217@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>LORLANE - nasty route with no decent option. Personally, I would just bite the bullet and go Lothian Road, Princes Street, Charlotte Sq and along George Street. A slightly quieter alternative might be along Bread Street, Spittal Street, Castle Terrace, Johnston Terrace, Lawnmarket, The Mound and then join George Street - but some serious climbing and some ropey cobbles just to avoid a bit of traffic. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13170#post-160216 Thu, 24 Jul 2014 12:48:11 +0000 cb 160216@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>"What would be your referred route from Lochrin Basin/Fountain bridge to St Andrew square?"</em></p> <p>You can go traffic free to Rutland Sqaure.<br /> Not sure what the deal is at the moment with Crossing Shandwick Place, but from Rutland Square you could then go over to Stafford St then Melville St. From there cut past West Register House to Charlotte Sq then onto the new George St cycle lane.</p> <p><a href="http://www.cyclestreets.net/journey/41719547">http://www.cyclestreets.net/journey/41719547</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13170#post-160213 Thu, 24 Jul 2014 12:36:36 +0000 lorlane 160213@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>It's a win/win/win for me too. Healthier, more economical and I'm much trimmer as a result. Its probably not much faster than by car on "normal" traffic days, but I can say with some certainty I'll be home in 20 minutes - you can't predict like that with car as you're a traffic hostage!</p> <p>My commute is mostly done on canal towpath so scenic and traffic-free. </p> <p>I'm a bit more unsure of city centre cycling though. Do any of you do it? What would be your referred route from Lochrin Basin/Fountain bridge to St Andrew square? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13170#post-160210 Thu, 24 Jul 2014 12:20:31 +0000 I were right about that saddle 160210@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Two hours forty four minutes to get to Stirling? Please do have a cake. Have two cakes. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13170#post-160207 Thu, 24 Jul 2014 12:06:24 +0000 adamthekiwi 160207@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>And this morning saw my previous personal best comprehensively smashed; now down to 164 minutes! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13170#post-160177 Thu, 24 Jul 2014 09:17:08 +0000 cc 160177@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@gembo here's a random choice from youtube</p> <p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3b4qgtOO6Ig" rel="nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3b4qgtOO6Ig</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13170#post-160156 Wed, 23 Jul 2014 19:59:53 +0000 adamthekiwi 160156@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Sorry, I'm being an idiot - I said 250 minutes but meant 190... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13170#post-160150 Wed, 23 Jul 2014 19:27:42 +0000 adamthekiwi 160150@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I work in Stirling, but only occasionally (around a month) ride the whole way back to Leith. Tomorrow is my first attempt at the return journey by bike. I regularly ride to Bridge of Allan, Larbert, Camelon, Falkirk or Dunfermline (from Stirling), or from Ed Park, Linlithgow or occasionally Polmont (to Leith). </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13170#post-160149 Wed, 23 Jul 2014 19:12:50 +0000 gembo 160149@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Adam</p> <p>Epic</p> <p>But can you explain the figures? If takes 90 mins bike train unless you get refused train then add 30 mins equals 120 mins? </p> <p>Already epic.</p> <p>250 mins though? Tell me that is the round trip?</p> <p>Otherwise probably running it close with actual daylight in the winter?</p> <p>Still epic </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13170#post-160147 Wed, 23 Jul 2014 19:02:13 +0000 adamthekiwi 160147@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Hmmm. My commute takes 45 minutes by car, 80-90 minutes by bike and train (unless I get refused a spot on the train, which adds 30 minutes) or around 250 minutes by bike alone. I go by bike/train most days, although regularly choose combinations with more bike than train. Tomorrow, it's both ways by bike; hoping to set a new personal best for at least one way! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13170#post-160136 Wed, 23 Jul 2014 17:59:04 +0000 gembo 160136@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Can someone post the linkee to the chap in Sudan or wherever on motorbike with goat on his back?</p> <p>I had gone for meal on Monday night (Empires Turkish place on st Mary's st, very nice, bit pricey but is BYOB, waiter has great beard)</p> <p>So left bike at work. Was taking bus yesterday, first cyclist passed gave me pelters. Bus then did not show up, another local stopped and gave me lift to Lothian road and I walked through princes st gardens. Was at desk at 8.30 and had finished all jobs by lunch so took leader and haven't been back since.</p> <p>I think I better stick to what I know and get back on the bike tomorrow. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13170#post-160105 Wed, 23 Jul 2014 13:24:27 +0000 amir 160105@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Not Maths - more accountancy. I once gave up a job in accountancy because I missed the maths.</p> <p>For me, it's about fitness (including avoidance of colds etc from the bus) and enjoyment. I don't save any time because at this time of year I cycle the long way. </p> <p>Actually both time and costs are related to the poorness of the weather - time gets longer with better weather. Costs has a more complex relationship - parts get less mileage in worse weather but the conditions are harsher. And of course, longer distance means more munchies. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13170#post-160103 Wed, 23 Jul 2014 13:17:46 +0000 ARobComp 160103@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I commute about 6 minutes each way by bike. I can tram at £1.50 which takes 3 minutes more at least or by bus which takes 10 minutes more at least. </p> <p>If I choose to go swimming in the morning cycling takes 15 minutes, and warms me up, whereas a bus walk combo would take 35 minutes. </p> <p>If I want to goto my favourite pub it would take 15 minutes by bike or 30 minutes by bus walk combo. </p> <p>Basically not having a bike would completely change the way I live at the moment and make my flat at least 50% less nice and useful.</p> <p>On the flip side because I do "sport cycling" which costs me on average at least £200 a month not to mention extra food and the actuall initial outlay for my 2 extra bikes... I'm probably still about £3-4k down on the last 2 years...</p> <p>MATHS. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13170#post-160102 Wed, 23 Jul 2014 13:11:03 +0000 I were right about that saddle 160102@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I'm enjoying this thread. As a professional calculator I might be expected to know what cycling costs, but I've actually not got even the vaguest notion.</p> <p>As @beano points out, the utility (urk, actuarial term...) of cycling completely obliterates the costs. Unless you wear Rapha. </p> <p>My body is adapting to my new 30km daily round trip. At the outset I was scraping last night's pans when I got home for a few extra calories. Now I can eat normally and my cardiac fitness pleases me hugely, but I'll need to watch it when this contract comes to an end and my activity levels drop. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13170#post-160101 Wed, 23 Jul 2014 13:04:45 +0000 Beano 160101@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Sorry should have said i'm 'new to it' too! only started cycling about a month ago and trying to build up to commuting every day. up to 3 days a week so not too bad... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13170#post-160100 Wed, 23 Jul 2014 13:01:19 +0000 Beano 160100@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@newtoit</p> <p>I also tried to do a cost analysis of bike vs commute. I am coming in from Fife (34/35 miles per day round-trip). My rail ticket would cost me £1404 this year and is rising quicker than inflation.</p> <p>door to desk i'm about 1hr30min by bike and 1hr10min by drop-off at station &amp; train.</p> <p>my overriding feeling is that I have lost interest in whether my cycling will ultimately be cheaper than the train...I always find I am looking forward to the commute home by bike and I'm excited to commute home rather than dreading a hot sweaty train ride :-) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13170#post-160096 Wed, 23 Jul 2014 12:34:23 +0000 neddie 160096@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I'd recommend eating a banana or apple at around 3pm to avoid bonking* before dinner time.</p> <p>*When your blood sugar is low and you feel grumpy and useless. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13170#post-160094 Wed, 23 Jul 2014 11:59:22 +0000 kaputnik 160094@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I live directly opposite a bus stop so on paper can get a "door-to-door" service to work. To get to work in theory by bus is 8 miles and takes ~50 minutes and requires 1 change, but I wouldn't bet on it ever getting you there in that time. Would cost £3.50 a day. I did try a bus-tram combo once and that took over an hour.</p> <p>I could walk to Waverley (22 minutes) and get a train to Edinburgh Park or South Gyle, I reckon that would be quicker and only marginally more expensive.</p> <p>My cycle route is 10.5 miles and takes about 40 minutes. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13170#post-160092 Wed, 23 Jul 2014 11:46:06 +0000 ARobComp 160092@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I think that once you've been going a wee while you'll be ok with just a larger breakfast at home. 20-25mins cycle shouldn't really leave you starving once you've gotten used to it a bit more. </p> <p>Try just banging an extra banana or a bigger porridge in the morning at home - again pennies rather than a bacon roll at work (£'s) </p> <p>Although I do find that the fresh air does cause my appitite to become somewhat more piqued. </p>