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resolvedSoon my work will shower facilities on site. I've been meaning to try cycling all the way home while the weather is good. So between these two, a fully two-wheeled commute seems within my grasp.
Google Maps and Cycle Streets both suggest very different routes - either heading north-east and hugging the coastline or heading south-east via Winchburgh (isn't that where they make Jack Daniels?).
Does anyone know this area well and can suggests routes (or parts) that I should investigate?
NEPN to Cramond, then A90 overpass, on to Winchburgh via Kirkliston. On the way back, there are some alternate parallel roads with less traffic and no boy racers tooting you. Phillipstoun. Dechmont/Broxburn.
Yes, I agree with le_soigneur
Cheers le_soigneur, that appears to be about what Cycle Streets recommends for the 'fast route'. Looking forward to it!
dougal
the kirkliston to linlithgow road is great for cycling at the weekend or a summer evening - The Clarion do their Time Trial on it but a bit of a ratrun commute in a working day.
I think they make Crabbies Green Ginger Wine in Kirkliston. Which works very well in scotch in the winter (Whisky Mac) or in gin in the summer (Juniper Green).
I think Jack Daniels would be from Wynchburg Tennessee? Kirkliston/Winchburgh and Wynchburg Tennnessee, probably share love of country music?
If you have a CX or MTB ish bike and fancy a change then head down to Blackness. Along the coast through Hopetoun, South Queensferry, Dalmeny estate, and upto Cramond Brig before heading down to Cramond and along the prom to Granton, where you can continue along the coast. With a tail wind and on a fine day its wonderfull. With a head wind its a pita. I have in the past headed out from Kirkliston to Winchburgh before heading south and up the 'spine' of the bathgate alps before heading north from Beescraigs/Cairn Papple for a bit of climbing ;o)
All good stuff folks. The top hit I get when searching 'crabbies kirkliston' now is... this page. Oh boy Google works fast.
I also agree with le_soigneur. A possible variant is to turn left at Winchburgh onto B8020, then turn right just before the Niddry Burn bridge. This quiet road gradually climbs up towards Beecraigs. It's a great cycling road, good surface, nice scenery and not much traffic. From there you take a right to the Manse Road into Linthgow, or carry on climbing. Last bit up to Beecraigs itself is a tad steep. Ride past Beecraigs and take the hair raising/breathtaking* descent down Preston Road into Linlithgow.
I like the second option myself.
* - delet as appropriate.
It's a journey I've made a few times myself, and I take a route very similar to le_soigneur's above, except if I don't want to take my time I chop-off a dog-leg (poor thing) from yon red bridge at the top of West Granton Access along Ferry Road to pick up Route 1 further along. But the path is much nicer.
When I've wanted to make it a little longer - or fancied an ice cream on the way home - I've carried on up to South Queensferry, then a wee road on the left just after leaving the town towards Newton takes you through to Winchburgh.
Enjoy!
You also have the alternative of the NEPN to Roseburn, Water of Leith to Slateford and then canal to Linlithgow. Barely a road in sight.
The canal's not that much fun to cycle every day though, it's bumpy, muddy, puddly and slow. Nice for a leisure cycle but not for commuting.
The Cycle Streets route is almost the one I'd take, but with a slight change to stay on the NEPN for slightly longer:
I think it's about 0.6 miles longer, but means you don't need to battle through Drylaw.
And then for when the sun is out and the wind is favourable, stay on the seafront:
"And then for when the sun is out and the wind is favourable, stay on the seafront:"
Cycling gives you options!
Oh here's the Winchburg-Beecraigs-Linlithgow route if you fancy a wee climb
It appears I have so many options I'll have to tell my work I can't actually come in to do the job - I'll be too busy determining the best commute.
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