Anyone cycle regularly from/to Fife - West Edinburgh?
Need to get from Gyle to Rosyth this PM, any route advice would be appreciated
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Commuting
Route Help (to Fife)
(14 posts)-
Posted 10 years ago #
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What sort of tyres do you have? How much time do you have?
Scenic/lumpy route would be to head out along the A8 shared footway to Newbridge then take the old pine-needle-floored railway track up to Dalmeny.
Otherwise, Family Network Route #9 Gyle to Haymarket (pink squares on the signs, I think?) takes you round the back ways from the Gyle then along the top of the Dovecot/Carrick Knowe/Pinkhill path then some more back ways as far as Russell Road and the start of the Roseburn path, then NEPN/Blackhall spur to Dalmeny/Queen's Southferry that way, then check with Tractor Factory or Insto for Rosyth-accessing detail (or follow the Round-the-Forth signs round-the-roundabouts at the north end of the road bridge).
Posted 10 years ago # -
I've only really done that direction once and took the Maybury, up over hill, down to Queensferry Road route. That hill is not as bad as I imagined it might be steepness wise. When you get down to Queensferry Road, you go by Crammond Brig and that puts you on the Edin-Fife NEPN.
There is a route along towards the airport then through Kirkliston but, never done it in that direction and a bit more complicated from trying it Fife to Edin.
Posted 10 years ago # -
Either as wingpig describes, or if you prefer a tarmac surface, carry on A8 path till the junction for Kirkliston, then turn right and go up the hill. This route is probably easiest to navigate as it involves only one right turn (on this side of bridge). Rosyth is signposted on other side.
Posted 10 years ago # -
If you know the best way from the Gyle to Cramond/Burnshot (I don't), then it's "just" a case of following Sustrans Route 1 as far as the north side of the FRB, then turning off to Rosyth. I started trying to describe it, but it got a bit complicated to explain and you're probably better looking at maps and following signs on the ground. The good news is it's mostly segregated/traffic free apart from one or two short stretches.
Posted 10 years ago # -
This is my daily commute and I have 3 choices.
Wingpig's route old railway line Newbridge to Dalmeny is the nicest by far, but also the longest. You will need good lights.
You can take the Old railway line as far as Kirkliston and follow the B800 through Kirkliston to meet a wide footpath to Queensferry. However this route has two horrendous 3-4 way traffic lights, which can mean 5-10 mins of waiting and impatient car drivers, I am going back from the Gyle via the Maybury route- a slight variation on TractorFactors, mine skips Barnton.
Maybury to the top of the hill on the footpath and then cut through the Cammo estate. It is 1 way for cars (going against you) but 2 way for bikes. Take care on the descent as some drivers don't expect to meet cyclists and it will bring you out on the A90 just town-side of the Cramond brig. Cross at the lights and then follow the A90 route to Dalmeny and follow the signs.
Posted 10 years ago # -
The Cammo route is really quiet as few car drivers know about it.
Posted 10 years ago # -
I have plenty time, I'm on a single speed with skinny tyres
Posted 10 years ago # -
Cheers everyone. Having done the St Andrews ride a couple of times the Crammond Brig to Rosyth part was worrying me. Was a bit unsure best way to CB from here - or a better alternative.
I'll ponder @paddyirish and @wingpig route pros/cons
Thanks again all
Posted 10 years ago # -
I've done the Dalmeny-Newbridge route several times on 23mms, though I had to stop a couple of times to clear sludge-held-together-with-pine-needles away from my brakes.
Posted 10 years ago # -
If you don't want to mix it with traffic on Queensferry Road you can also get to CB by heading north over Barnton Junction and continuing to the bottom of the "dip" in the road where sustran's Route 1 crosses and head to CB along there. It does increase your climbing by another 15-20 metres though.
Posted 10 years ago # -
Thanks for all the advice yesterday.
Overall, a nice wee ride. being an affirmed townie, I was a wee bit worried by a couple of the pitch black stretches, even though I was sure I was very well lit up.
A few things:
The advice from a colleague about getting out of the Gyle to Glasgow Road was just rubbish!
@acsimpson's advice inference to avoid QR should have been taken. This was a the worst part. I honestly felt it was impossible to get on and proceed on QR safely from Cammo Road. If the footways there are shared use, it was't obvious at that time of night to me.
The new path upgrade alongside the A90 is decent, a lot better than the path I remember from yonks ago. Still plenty room for improvement though. Not great cycling towards v fast traffic with blinding headlights in the dark Some screening there would be a bit help.
The "High Winds" warned by the bridge signage must have been directly behind me as I never felt a single gust. Lucky boy!
Posted 10 years ago # -
@bikeability
Glad you made it in one piece. on the bits you found tricky.
I go through the Morrisons car park and up to the Gogar roundabout. Cross it in stages with the lights and am prepared to take my time.
A90, not great - I mix with the traffic when city bound, but Fife-bound, I again use the traffic lights near the Cammo exit and wait my turn. Never more than a minute or two...
The next phase of the A90 project happens in the new year and they will build glare-reducing barriers between the oncoming traffic and the cycle path, so headlight glare should become a thing of the past.
Try it again after that...
Posted 10 years ago # -
That's pretty much what I did @paddyirish, which was OK.
Was told there was a path/road next to the railway behind Gyle Centre, but it was fenced off behind Morrisons, so had to come back and go through the main car park.
Lights on Glasgow Road took an eternity to change to the green man.
Maybury Road was surprisingly fine, and Cammo Walk was great.
Good to hear about the A90 path. That will make a big defference to what was otherwise a decent route.
Posted 10 years ago #
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