http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: Ravelston Dykes to Holyrood for Inexperienced Rider? en Wed, 13 May 2026 04:16:53 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18503&page=2#post-272020 Wed, 10 Jan 2018 18:23:57 +0000 Rosie 272020@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Drysdale Road I mean. Like LaidBack I sometimes avoid that awkward zigzag to Melvin Way and take that route. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18503&page=2#post-272018 Wed, 10 Jan 2018 18:21:57 +0000 Rosie 272018@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@wingpig - I think so &amp; it's so bleeding obvious. There's a desire line there already. It would cost next to nothing to tarmac that bit &amp; extend the crossing at Drysdale Street. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18503#post-272015 Wed, 10 Jan 2018 17:33:25 +0000 wingpig 272015@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Wasn't a footway beside the WAR included in the Roseburn-to-Canal link drawings? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18503#post-272013 Wed, 10 Jan 2018 16:58:00 +0000 neddie 272013@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The Telfer subway "evil" stepped-ramp and gutter could be avoided if only they would tarmac the footpath on the North side of the Western Approach road between the bus stop and the toucan...</p> <p>Now that is the sort of "shovel-ready" project that CEC should be burning up the excess 2017 cycle budget with (instead of gold plating the NEPN) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18503#post-272012 Wed, 10 Jan 2018 16:55:04 +0000 unhurt 272012@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I tried that route yesterday on way to work. Those Upper Grove Place zig zags are very tight. Why isn't one side just a long ramp? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18503#post-272010 Wed, 10 Jan 2018 16:47:46 +0000 LaidBack 272010@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@HankChief - <em>I never knew about the Dalry Place cut through and have always used the Telfer subway</em></p> <p>I often take tandem and tours by that route but avoid the zig zag ramps to Upper Grove Place by going back to Drysdale Road on shared use pavement beside WAR. Bit round the houses but bike is 3m long and we're aiming for shop in Viewforth. A Helios tandem will just go round zig zag on way down but generally this is a barrier to cycling and really a 'pram ramp'. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18503#post-271784 Mon, 08 Jan 2018 15:23:32 +0000 cb 271784@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Folding bike and Haymarket to Waverley on a train? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18503#post-271670 Sun, 07 Jan 2018 15:41:38 +0000 gibbo 271670@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>NEPN to Five Ways, St Marks Park, McDonald Rd, Brunswick Rd, Rossie Pl, Abbey Lane is one way to seriously limit time on busy roads. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18503#post-271641 Sat, 06 Jan 2018 21:27:46 +0000 HankChief 271641@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Thanks all. I think I'll have to do some exploring before I get comfortable to recommend.</p> <p>I never new about the Dalry Place cut through and have always used the Telfer subway and the terrible ditch from the Aldi path and then the ramps which I can only get up by doing a half pedal each step so as not to ground the tandem (which makes it hard work as it is always the same leg doing the effort.) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18503#post-271593 Sat, 06 Jan 2018 14:33:57 +0000 Rosie 271593@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Taking a scenic route if convoluted is a plus for me. If I have time I take a longer route to my work as it's by the canal and a pleasant way to start the day. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18503#post-271582 Sat, 06 Jan 2018 12:41:14 +0000 Trixie 271582@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>When I did that route (traffic averse, inexperienced rider), I pushed between Haymarket Yards and Morrison Cres, and canal to King's. I'd also push from East Parkside/Holyrood Park Rd til the shared use (unless the footpath was clear of peds). It's annoying but I suppose they're short walks... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18503#post-271577 Sat, 06 Jan 2018 11:52:45 +0000 piosad 271577@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>A slightly less awful way to negotiate King’s is where the mythical link will go: do not turn right in Lower Gilmore Place but go on the newly resurfaced bit by the canal and on to Lochrin Place, then get off and cross at the Cameo. From there you can push to Valleyfield St or even get back on the road as though it’s busy you don’t have to do the terrible right turn. </p> <p>Edit: that’s what Rosie is proposing. Too early on Sat morning </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18503#post-271566 Sat, 06 Jan 2018 08:30:35 +0000 Frenchy 271566@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@handcyclist, unhurt - there's also a deep, wide gutter where the path behind Lidl meets the subway path; not fun even on a normal bike. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18503#post-271564 Sat, 06 Jan 2018 00:28:51 +0000 Rosie 271564@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>All the routes that are safish are convoluted. From NEPN to Russell Road, then instead of Telfer up Dalry Place, Morrison Crescent, Melvin Way, Canal, Lochrin Place, right turn on Home Street (nasty that bit - you might want to walk to the pedestrian crossing), then through to Meadows, St Leonards and down Queens Drive on the path. On a nice day a lot of that would be scenic - the Meadows and Arthur's Seat especially.</p> <p>If the infrastructure was as it should be it would be NEPN, on to segregated route at Roseburn all the way along Shandwick Place and Princes St to Waverley Street and Market Street. There was once a scheme for a covered way from Waverley Station to Holyrood. </p> <p>The number of schemes that never made it to maturity is like infant mortality during the Black Death. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18503#post-271562 Fri, 05 Jan 2018 23:55:32 +0000 unhurt 271562@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@handcyclist - hmm, I imagine it's too tight in the turns for other "non standard" bikes too.</p> <p>OT for this thread but now thinking: if we switch up the PoP route at any point we had better be sure it's all accessible to all bikes... (how is getting onto the grass at Parliament I wonder, e.g. and can it be made better?)</p> <p>(not expecting you to provide these answers btw; just thinking aloud!) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18503#post-271561 Fri, 05 Jan 2018 23:50:43 +0000 handcyclist 271561@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Just to make it more complicated, the Telfer subway isn't passable for a recumbent handcycle, the 'ramping' of the steps is still too severe to avoid grounding.<br /> It really should have a health warning of restricted access. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18503#post-271560 Fri, 05 Jan 2018 23:43:17 +0000 I were right about that saddle 271560@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I'll see your Ravie Dykes to parliament and raise you the Inch to Costorphine village.</p> <p>Edinburgh is actually really frightening to cycle round. I don't know what I've done to the inside of my head over the years to tolerate it. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18503#post-271556 Fri, 05 Jan 2018 23:14:08 +0000 wingpig 271556@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>NEPN to Five Ways, Chancelot, WoL to Sandport, Coalhill, Parliament At, Giles At, Leith Links, Restalrig Path to Hawkhill, Lochend Park or Lochend Butterfly, down the wee steps to Lower London Road, through the wee secret path, across to the park entrance opposite Clockmill Lane, across the park,wee bit of the Duke's Walk path, across to the Parliament. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18503#post-271554 Fri, 05 Jan 2018 23:07:21 +0000 chdot 271554@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@ Frenchy</p> <p>Ta, missed it -</p> <p>“Try a route (or two) on a non-working day.”</p> <p>Probably should on Home and/or Routes. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18503#post-271548 Fri, 05 Jan 2018 22:43:09 +0000 unhurt 271548@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@Frenchy, yes, or at least compile the text for them and include a link so they can verify? (suspect not all migh be familiar with idea of internet "handles"?)</p> <p>ETA I see @HankChief is on it on Twitter already </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18503#post-271546 Fri, 05 Jan 2018 22:20:42 +0000 Frenchy 271546@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@unhurt - I was wondering if it would be worth sending a link to this discussion to councillors.</p> <p>@chdot - there's a bit on the <a href="https://cyclefridays.wordpress.com/about/">About page</a>. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18503#post-271545 Fri, 05 Jan 2018 22:12:09 +0000 unhurt 271545@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>This is all v revealing of exactly how bike unfriendly Edinburgh is if you aren't happy to joust with motor vehicles and navigate weird sections of almost-steps passing as infrastructure. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18503#post-271543 Fri, 05 Jan 2018 22:06:44 +0000 chdot 271543@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Just looked at <a href="https://cyclefridays.wordpress.com" rel="nofollow">https://cyclefridays.wordpress.com</a></p> <p>Can't find the advice about 'try route before your first proper commute'. </p> <p>Thought it was on front page(?) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18503#post-271541 Fri, 05 Jan 2018 22:00:50 +0000 Frenchy 271541@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>any alternatives to Kings Theatre?</em></p> <p>Leamington Terrace (although it has its own gradient problem), then Leamington Walk, Middle Meadow Walk.</p> <p><em>How do you do the Innocent to Parliament? </em></p> <p>Rankeillor St, St Leonard's Lane, St Leonard's Hill, Braidwood Gate, Dumbiedykes Road, cut through into Holyrood Park before the play park. There are some steps and missing dropped kerbs, but it is a very quiet route. Braidwood Gate is fairly steep as well.</p> <p>Alternatively:<br /> Rankeillor, Hermit's Croft, East Parkside, Holyrood Park Road, then onto the paths through the park (not sure about legality of cycling on the paths between Holyrood Park Road and the northernmost roundabout). Longer, but steadier gradient may make it preferable on the way back? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18503#post-271538 Fri, 05 Jan 2018 21:49:44 +0000 chdot 271538@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"Lidl path / underpass"</p> <p>Depends on confidence and time of day, but that involves Russell Rd &amp; Murieston Cres AND the Telfer ramps &amp; then??</p> <p>"How do you do the Innocent to Parliament?"</p> <p>Dumbiedykes, H Park or H Rd. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18503#post-271535 Fri, 05 Jan 2018 21:37:59 +0000 HankChief 271535@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@Frenchy - Yes - Not for me.</p> <p>The Telfer subway route is the one we used for Corstorburn PoP feeder ride, but I'm not convinced I know the best way from the Canal to the Meadows - any alternatives to Kings Theatre?</p> <p>How do you do the Innocent to Parliament? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18503#post-271532 Fri, 05 Jan 2018 21:31:53 +0000 unhurt 271532@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@Frenchy, yep, the Lidl path / underpass was the way I meant.</p> <p>I... would not send someone who doesn't like traffic down Princes St at most times of day - I find buses more predictable than cars but I know friends who find them terrifying just because of size/noise. Calton Road sometimes a bit hairy but suppose without through traffic it's grand? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18503#post-271530 Fri, 05 Jan 2018 21:21:42 +0000 chdot 271530@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Or</p> <p>NEPN to Powderhall, new link to Meadowbank, Holyrood Park.</p> <p>Oh... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18503#post-271529 Fri, 05 Jan 2018 21:21:00 +0000 Frenchy 271529@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>To be clear, did you mean to type "inexperienced"?</p> <p>Cyclestreets and cycle.travel both suggest Princes Street, then either Calton Road or Jeffrey St. </p> <p>I'd be more inclined to suggest @unhurt's route for traffic-averse cyclists (using the path behind Lidl and the Telfer subway to get from Dalry Rd to Fountainbridge). </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18503#post-271528 Fri, 05 Jan 2018 21:18:38 +0000 chdot 271528@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>“I'm inclined to say, wait until Roseburn - Canal &amp; Canal - Meadows are built”</p> <p>That would help! </p> <p>“Not at rush hour” would be another answer.</p> <p>“but that doesn't really answer the question”</p> <p>Oh yes it does.</p> <p>However, NEPN -</p> <p>Push from Haymarket Yards to Dalry Place, then Canal, Meadows, St. Leonard’s etc. (Push Lochrin Place - Valleyfield if necessary.) </p>