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Pedal for Scotland advice
(120 posts)- Started 9 years ago by Greenroofer
- Latest reply from paddyirish
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Posted 8 years ago #
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I was seriously considering the idea of deploying the torpedo and aiming for a PB on PfS, but I think I'm going to be away down south on the 6th. Damn!
Posted 8 years ago # -
@recombodna yup they're all signed up
Posted 8 years ago # -
When I did the 110 a couple of years ago, there was 9 year old doing it on his own bike, who had an adult accompanying him.
He had better road sense than quite a few of the adults...
Posted 8 years ago # -
@Arellcat. Assuming you were planning to do the shorter one, you may be interested to know that the route seems to have changed subtly this year. It's a trifle longer, so I don't know what impact that would have on your PB time...
@Snowy. This is a point that I've been making to mini-G while we've been training. She can't rely on the all the adults we meet on the ride being as competent on their bikes as the adults she's used to riding with. Without being too stereotypical about it (because she needs to learn that you can't rely on stereotypes) we have been gently discussing how to assess a cyclist's competence from their appearance, demeanour and behaviour and therefore to judge how much space to give them.
We've been discussing this picture:
(BTW is that shuggiet on the left in the blue helmet?)Posted 8 years ago # -
@greenroofer, I thought it was you on the left in the blue helmet (only joking, see gogarstationroad thread)
Posted 8 years ago # -
We went out for a quick spin to Balerno and back on the WoL path this evening, which was pleasant (particularly as the rain held off).
The reason this is memorable is because as we came down Myreside Road to the traffic lights at the bottom, Mini-Greenroofer noticed that the lights had gone from red to amber as she joined the back of the queue of traffic. Instead of braking to a halt and stopping with her foot down (as she used to do), I noticed her slow to a crawl and then trackstand in primary position behind the car until it got moving. Then she did it again at the next lights at the top of Ashley Terrace.
I'm so proud :-) It's amazing how three months of quite determined (but not excessive) effort have got her from thinking that a ride from Craighouse to Spylaw Park was an achievement to the stage now where she knocks off the 14 miles to Balerno and back in the evening after tea on school night, and she trackstands in traffic queues.
Posted 8 years ago # -
yep... shuggiet in the picture trying to catch up with mini shuggiet..@greenroofer you'll be that way soon too, if you keep taking mini-greenroofer out for 14 mile spins after school.
Posted 8 years ago # -
That's truly impressive. Well done both.
Posted 8 years ago # -
Monitored the way the rail and coach logistics worked in past couple of years, was thinking about PfS but a 40 year reunion got in the way dragging me South.
Do monitor what you can. I counted 32 bikes off one train in to GLQ at around 18.00
Posted 8 years ago # -
So we're back from our last major ride. Today Mini-Greenroofer and I took the train to Blairhill and rode 47 miles home. Blairhill is about the practical limit of the off-road NCN 75 route. The next stop on the line is Easterhouse, and there are many reasons for not alighting there, including that it's not that close to NCN 75.
A couple of weeks ago, I was rude about the cyclepaths in Airdrie (and would like to apologise to wee folding bike for any offence caused), but today I'm going to be even ruder about the ones in Blairhill and Coatbridge. They were convoluted, strewn with glass and shopping trolleys and poorly-signed. Worst of all was a bit where we had to dismount to push our bikes across a zebra crossing. If you're one day planning to use NCN 75 for training like we have, I'd suggest you don't venture further west than Caldercruix. Next time (if there is a next time) we'll probably alight at Bathgate or Armadale, ride west to Caldercruix and then turn round and ride home.
Due to all the broken glass I had a p******e in Airdrie: my first for ages. A shard of glass about 15mm long went through my Marathon Plus front tyre and it went flat straight away. Thank goodness for Park Tools Super Patches, which meant I could repair the damage quickly without having to take the tube off.
Once past Caldercruix it was a great ride home, and I think we're now as ready as we're going to be for next weekend. The taper starts today...
Thank you to everyone who's proffered advice, support, and children+husband on this thread. It's made our route-finding and riding much easier and more fun.
Posted 8 years ago # -
Had I known, I would have recommended the anglers' bothy at the reservoir, they do a mean cup of tea and a caramel log.
Any motorbikes? When we did Glasgow to Edinburgh on NCN 75 we were plagued by them until Bathgate. Two p-words that day.
Posted 8 years ago # -
@gembo - we certainly looked longingly at the bothy as we went by. Had we seen the 'recommended by gembo' sign we might have gone in. Certainly one to try next time.
No motorbikes. Quite a few ordinary bikes, and certainly more than there were a few weeks ago. Judging by many of the cyclists on the bikes, I'd say they were doing the same as us and getting some miles in before Pedal for Scotland.
Posted 8 years ago # -
@greenroofer:
Depending on your child's sensitivities, you could put a sign on the back of mini - Greenroofer & front of their bike with their name on. It will elicit a number of supportive comments from passing cyclists/well wishers, which may help spur them on to the finish.
Good luck for it...
Posted 8 years ago # -
Ohhhh be as rude as you like about the cycle paths round Airdrie and Coatbridge. I never use them. I sometimes go for a spin along the canal but that's just because l like canals. I've yet to be recorded on the Fountain cycle counter.
The road is being closed for PfS this year. Signs are up already.
I'm going to Ayr on Saturday to see the Vulcan and Lancaster flying. Don't know what I'll be doing on Sunday, generally whatever the memsahib tells me. Not only did I get a pass out for the Vulcan but I've also been allowed to get a ticket for the Big Lebowski late night show at the GFT on 11th September. Yes, the very date the Dude writes on the 69¢ cheque in Ralph's near the start of the movie. Coincidence? I think not.
Posted 8 years ago # -
I'm booked for PfS, so look out for a torpedo going like the clappers downhill and dead slow uphill. Now I just have to ride to Glasgow.
Posted 8 years ago # -
I was thinking about riding out to Kirkliston, then riding back to Edin with the "peleton". Will road west to Kirkliston be open?
Posted 8 years ago # -
I don't know about this year but in previous years I think the road has only been closed in one direction. I believe the road closures are up this year though so you might need to take the A8 or other alternatives to Kirkliston.
Posted 8 years ago # -
Is it only one direction at Cramond Brig, too? Or could I go down to Dalmeny, then back up to Kirkliston?
Posted 8 years ago # -
I don't know if the cycle path is official shut uphill from the Brig but with 7000 riders coming the other way I'm not sure I would chance it.
You could take the "new" bridge and cut through Dalmeny Estate either popping out at Burnshot, Barnbougle or Dalmeny. Barnbougle isn't really suitable for a road bike though.
Whitehouse Road has signs stating it is closed from 5AM to 3PM but I would assume the first riders wont be through for a while after 5.
Posted 8 years ago # -
There are road closed signs on the east bound A89 in Baillieston and Airdrie. I've not checked anywhere else. It's set for 0500 to 1500 hrs.
Posted 8 years ago # -
You could take the "new" bridge
Where's that?
Whitehouse Road has signs stating it is closed from 5AM to 3PM but I would assume the first riders wont be through for a while after 5.
I saw one or two cyclists around 10.30am last year (near the DM tesco). But they were fit-looking types on road bikes.
The masses didn't arrive for a good while after that.
Posted 8 years ago # -
fietsclub balerno cheekily joined pedal for Scotland this morning by mistake, we had cycled from balerno to fauldhouse over to harthill them blackridge over to avonbridge but then met road closed signs which we thought were for the wind farm so followed diversion only to meet further road closed signs. This was excellent as the roads were closed avonbridge to Linlithgow. We looped round via west Lothian golf club which added some hills and took us away from the peloton but then we rejoined on way back to uphill and then I think we saw the first riders on the longer route.
Quite boiling now out of the wind hope those still on the road are having a blast
Posted 8 years ago # -
Well we're back from Pedal for Scotland.We had a great day out: the weather was pretty much perfect with a tailwind and sunshine, and warm enough to sit outside at the feedstops. Mini-Greenroofer rode the whole way, including all the hills, and ate a huge number of caramel wafers on the way.
We saw an amazing cross section of cycling society, from those who looked good in lycra to those who frankly didn't, from racing whippets going the like the clappers to people (men, mainly, to be honest) dressed in team kit with a carbon bike but walking up the hills in their road shoes and puffing and panting a lot. There were veterans, pre-school children on their own bikes and an awful lot of young teenagers waiting at the tops of hills for their unfit parents to catch up with them again.
We spotted MrSRD and Mini-SRD at Linlithgow, and they seemed in fine form despite the hills. We were passed by a Pino, but it didn't look like Roibeard at the helm, and we didn't spot Arellcat in the red torpedo (much to our disappointment).
Mini-Greenroofer says she wants to do it again next year...
So, the answer to my question of 5 months ago about whether a 10 year old can do Pedal for Scotland is a resounding "yes".
Posted 8 years ago # -
I finally got to meet jdanielp, at one of the early stops, and then again on the road about halfway. Recombodna was having to ride at a miniRecombodna sort of pace but looked to be making good time nonetheless.
I'm quite proud to say I didn't push the torpedo up any of the hills, and there were some pretty beastly hills.
A great big boo hiss to the disgruntled resident or motorist who thought it was completely acceptable to sprinkle two sorts of nails on the road, at about one-third distance I think. Galvanised roofing felt tacks are easy to spot; 15mm dark steel nails not so much. There was a concerted clear-up effort underway when I arrived. I collected an entire handful, for my own part. A police biker drew up alongside and helped out, too. I think quite a few of the early riders came to grief - I saw a lot of tyres being mended.
I'm feeling quite tired, actually. 63 miles today, and 50 yesterday in riding to Glasgow (I did put the hammer down rather, though it was pleasant being at Glasgow Green in time for lunch). I may have consumed large quantities of Jelly Babies, Doritos and bananas!
Posted 8 years ago # -
"So, the answer to my question of 5 months ago about whether a 10 year old can do Pedal for Scotland is a resounding YES"
Likewise an 8yo. Who also cycled to Murrayfield, and then to Moray Place for a barbecue, and then home again. She is now outside bouncing on the neighbours trampoline, after running sprints in the backyard (not to mention cricket at the bbq). Oh, for the limitless energy of youth.
Posted 8 years ago # -
I saw and photographed a Pino at last year's PfS. The pilot and stoker are two Middle Eastern blokes that had the look of people who haven't stopped grinning for 50 miles.
Chapeau to Arellcat for staying out of the 24" gear.
Chapeau to Greenroofer for plainly effective Yodaing. Or is that Yoding? Anyway, I mean you're like Yoda, except not small and green. Aside from the roofer part.
Anti-Chapeau to the saboteur.
Utmost Chapeau to Mini-Greenroofer.
Posted 8 years ago # -
Yes. Would be a nice day.
Tacks on road... shows how popular the event is now I suppose. This does take place on a Sunday which is a 'sacred' day for mass car use (encouraged by rationed public transport). Not an excuse though and hope people got sorted.
Posted 8 years ago # -
@SRD - glad to see that the beans that Mini-SRD seemed to be full of at Linlithgow didn't evaporate over the rest of the trip.
Posted 8 years ago #
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