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Disused rail line near Pencaitland, accessible

(10 posts)
  • Started 10 years ago by DaveC
  • Latest reply from DaveC
  • This topic is resolved

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  1. DaveC
    Member

    We're planning a ride out to Haddington via Mussleburgh, up the hill to Crossgatehall and out along the disused rail line towards the Glenkinchie Distillery where we'll pick up the quiet back road to Haddington.

    http://ridewithgps.com/routes/3012954

    Has anyone ridden along this route - the disused rail line recently? Is it navigable by cyclocross/winter bike? We don't want to havwe to take MTBs as this will slow us down. This is an evening ride.

    Posted 10 years ago #
  2. chdot
    Admin

    "Is it navigable by cyclocross/winter bike? "

    Best choice!

    Surface varied, but mostly good - unless recent considerable rain.

    http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9809#post-106508

    Posted 10 years ago #
  3. DaveC
    Member

    Many thanks chdot, I think we'll ride it and report back later in the week.

    Posted 10 years ago #
  4. kaputnik
    Moderator

    I've been advised it's do-able beyond the "official" end on MTB or CX bike. It should be possible to get quite close to Saltoun before it becomes harder going.

    Posted 10 years ago #
  5. DaveC
    Member

    Oh? Where is the official end? And where is the official start? Does it have good access points along the way? Cheers.

    Posted 10 years ago #
  6. cb
    Member

    @kaputnik, I thought the official end was close to Saltoun (i.e. less than a mile from West Saltoun).

    I.e. here:

    https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&ll=55.8892,-2.873912&spn=0.000048,0.041199&t=m&z=15&layer=c&cbll=55.889178,-2.874017&panoid=9-j9SDODz_TnTNfJnhESew&cbp=12,274.74,,0,19.69

    I've cycled up to here with no problems on 18" wheels.

    Posted 10 years ago #
  7. Colin
    Member

    From the Carberry Brae end, the surface is quite bad though anything wider than race tyres will cope. After the first mile, it's fine all the way to Saltoun Station, especially after a a dry spell.

    Cheers
    Colin

    Posted 10 years ago #
  8. Bhachgen
    Member

    I did it earlier this year on 700x25's and it was fine. Care required in places but perfectly passable.

    Posted 10 years ago #
  9. Cyclingmollie
    Member

    Dave C to connect with the official northern end if you're coming from Musselburgh you can avoid going up the road through Inveresk and Carberry. Instead take the cycle-path up the North Esk until you get to Cowpits. Follow the road round to the right and into Whitecraig, then through the village to the east end where you can pick up the cycle-path again on the other side of the road (if you reach the roundabout you've gone too far). There's an old railway bridge after half a mile. Ride up onto it and ride to the top of the farm road. Turn left and you'll reach Crossgatehall traffic lights. Bear right and the Pencaitland Path is on your left in about 200m.

    Posted 10 years ago #
  10. DaveC
    Member

    Lovely! Thanks for all the replies. We're planning a ride out on Thursday after work, to Haddington for diner in one of the pubs there. We're riding out along the Innocent to The Big W (site of) and then along the cycle paths to Carberry Road heading out of Musselburgh. Then up the hill to pick up the line in this thread. Then from the end of the path we're going to cycle the back road down to Haddington. In the past we headed out along the coast to Longniddry where we picked up the old disused line up to Haddington.

    I'm getting to know East Lothian quite well now, having ridden various audax rides.

    Cheers, Dave C

    Posted 10 years ago #

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