CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Commuting

The "I had a lovely ride today, thankyou" thread

(2695 posts)

  1. EddieD
    Member

    A spiffing wee run in West Lothian - crystal clear, and views to infinity. Cleish Hill, The Ochils and Ben Lomond all looked stunning. The only slightly irritating thing was I forgot my kettle, so I couldn't grab a cuppa. Essentially the route was A72 out of Edinburgh, turn off to East Calder, through the country park, head west briefly on the A89, turn up the hill just before the railway viaduct up to Niddry Castle, turn right just before Winchburgh, head through Faucheldean, do a right left and take the road to Beescraigs, but I turned down through Bridgend to see if it still says "Welcome to Hell" (If it is, I missed it, it must have faded), turn right back to Winchburgh turn left at the east end of the village, and then take the scenic route to SQ (I take random routes through this quite often...other than the horses it's always quiet) - then Dalmeny, north Edinburgh path home. Not long, but it was fun.

    Quite a lot of ice though - mainly on the south verges of the roads. The road through Faucheldean was bad enough that I had to push for fifty meters or so.

    Posted 11 years ago #
  2. Charterhall
    Member

    Looked at the ice this morning and decided to head down to the coast and east. Stuck to the main road apart from a few miles from Aberlady to Fenton Barns to form a loop back through Gullane. Lovely sunshine, a field of leek being harvested at Aberlady, it looked horribly hard and muddy work but the aroma of the leeks as I rode past was wonderful ! Didn't enjoy the ride back half as much, tiring legs, falling energy levels, sun in my eyes, too much uphill ! At least the headwind wasn't as bad as I was expecting.

    Posted 11 years ago #
  3. DaveC
    Member

    I took a run out this morning to Cairneyhill in Fife to do a bit of cycle shopping at Hardie Bikes. I'd phoned to check on stock levels first but had a nice ride along the A985 to CairneyHill. After a chin wag I headed upto Oakley and onto the Alloa - Dunfermline cycle path to Dunfermline. From there I found a nice back street route north of the old town and headed up to the hospital before cutting round Dulloch and home to the Bay.

    http://www.strava.com/activities/39464595

    Just over an hour on the bike, but I've been on my feet the rest of the day and I'm looking forward to the missus going out later so I can have a mong on the sofa NOT WATCHING SOAPS!

    Posted 11 years ago #
  4. Smudge
    Member

    Actually (as referred to in another thread) I decided to take the mtb today and had a really nice ride down through the woods to Falkirk High station and then a pleasant spin up the canal/old railway. Nice not to be constantly dicing with the traffic for a change :-)

    Posted 11 years ago #
  5. Charterhall
    Member

    Very enjoyable 50 mile spin around the Lyne Valley/Meldons today, a fair bit of snow persisting on the hills behind Peebles, looking good in the sunshine.

    Posted 11 years ago #
  6. gembo
    Member

    decent 33.1 mile trip to the speed sign at Woolfords (as measured by best man's garmin)rather strong south westerly so only managed 23 mph. However once back on the Whang, the tail wind was a joy, left my best man to catch up (he did)

    Subsequent five mile jaunt, again with best man and thing two and thing three from Balerno to junii green and back. Quite muddy

    Very pleasant late afternoon sun on trip to Scotmid

    Posted 11 years ago #
  7. SRD
    Moderator

    Lovely ride out the canal to check out bridge repairs (pic coming on other thread), then to Hailes Quarry Park for fun on outdoor gym and playpark.

    Had never noticed the wee mountain bike trail next to the playpark. we had great fun taking the islabike and the helios (dahon, not circe) around it. 6 year old declared it to be the 'best bit' even though - as far as I could tell - she went around the wrong way, and walked up all the hills!

    The good thing though was that on the way there and back, she pedaled at a normal/grown-up pace without a single complaint. Makes such a difference!

    Posted 11 years ago #
  8. chdot
    Admin

    WH Pump track - http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=1902638

    Posted 11 years ago #
  9. gembo
    Member

    @SRD

    Yes thing three had not been out on her bike for a whole so she was a bit wobbly and slow on the way down to juni but on the way back when it looked like there was a chance she might catch thing three she was going like the clappers. She did not catch him but had good rationalisation about only having wee legs

    Posted 11 years ago #
  10. cc
    Member

    Just back from a lovely morning trip out along the Roseburn path to the Dalmeny Estate and ultimately to South Queensferry. I got lost in the Dalmeny Estate and ended up in epic mud pits down by the shore. Oops. It turns out that if you want to follow the NCN 76 bike route you have to stop at every possible junction and scour the undergrowth for a wee post with a teensy 76 on it. I found the way in the end. What a lovely place! Never been there before.
    Then a quick raspberry ripple ice cream in S Queensferry before getting the train home. I was worried when others appeared on the platform with bikes too, but there was lots of room for all of us, thanks Scotrail.

    Posted 11 years ago #
  11. SRD
    Moderator

    We had a fab ride out roseburn as well, although we turned off and went to Cramond. The path surface does need cleaning though - full of debris.

    Lots of cyclists on promenade, including some big touring groups, but everyone we saw who we knew had driven there. All agreed that if the canal to rose burn link was sorted they would much rather cycle it.

    Posted 11 years ago #
  12. cc
    Member

    I went from the canal to Roseburn fairly easily so I'm not sure what link you mean. I went downhill from Gilmore Place, down across the Western Approach Road to Haymarket, then onto the path that goes straight to the Roseburn path.

    Posted 11 years ago #
  13. SRD
    Moderator

    We go down Harrison road, then cross slateford & Dalry/Gorgie straight into Russell road.

    Perfectly easy - to us - but I only know two other families that would do that run with their kids (and they're both in this forum).

    the council's ATAP is supposed to make that link more family-friendy (as discussed elsewhere).

    The return is less cyclable than the outgoing leg, as you either have to turn right across Dalry rd, and then navigate a tricky intersection, or, go left on Dalry, then access Telfer subway (we used the path that goes up behind lidl, which was fine today as traffic very light and we did a big upturn in the middle of the road!

    Posted 11 years ago #
  14. fimm
    Member

    Fab ride out to Carnwath along the Lang Wang. Took a diversion via Tarbrax which was very nice indeed - better views and a lot less traffic than the Lang Wang itself.

    Posted 11 years ago #
  15. LaidBack
    Member

    Opted to do training run this morning with my trans Canada (with teeenage sons) customer. Easy training run out Long Dalmahoy and back in on Lanark Road (short way - not Carnwath!).

    Otherwise I would have done the ToEL Audax!

    Roads were showing potholes nicely in the bright sunshine!

    Posted 11 years ago #
  16. gembo
    Member

    @fimm, I was out there tOday again. Did the avoid the Whang entirely route out, from Balerno go via long dalmahoy to Kirknewton, the calders, lizzie Brice, murieston, then back road to Woolfords, then up past tarbrax turn and onto the Whang return which was a bladt second day in a row.

    Posted 11 years ago #
  17. fimm
    Member

    @gembo, I usually avoid the Long Dalmahoy Road because the road surface is really poor in places (among other things). If you go that way regularly, you might be interested in contributing to this thread:
    http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9540

    Posted 11 years ago #
  18. ARobComp
    Member

    I rode out (yesterday but this is relevant) from central London at 6am to Box hill and gave it a ride. It was a fun ride despite the freezing conditions, rain, drizzle, mist and the pain that that entailed - it turns out my shoes let in water from somewhere in heavy conditions....

    The hill itself was a great climb that I really enjoyed. I tried to hit 20kmph the whole way up and managed just about despite the cold and early hour (and the fact I really hadn't eaten enough!

    Anyway 74km ride in 2hrs40 moving time (12 minutes stationary) which isn't bad out and into central London. Certainly wouldn't say it was a "nice" ride but it was good fun - especially seeing all the white washed names on box hill!

    Posted 11 years ago #
  19. Charterhall
    Member

    A pleasant and relatively headwind free 50 miles today, took coast road as far as Aberlady then up the hill towards Haddington before heading back through the lanes via Winton/Elphinstone/Dalkeith. Spent the afternoon watching Omloop Het Nieuwsblad (or Het Volk as I still call it) on the internet followed by the track Worlds on BBC2. Looking forward to Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne on Eurosport tomorrow...

    Posted 11 years ago #
  20. Charterhall
    Member

    Spectacular ride home tonight. Heading west into a glorious setting sun, up into snow clad hills then turning back east towards home and a beautiful full moon.

    Posted 11 years ago #
  21. DaveC
    Member

    I had a lovely ride today thankyou. Me and a guy from work cycled down the ccccobles to the Scotland Street tunnel and out to the seafront, then onto the prom and Cramond. The sun was still out and the temperature cool but with little wind the sea was nearly a mill pond. From there we headed upto Cramond Brig and down the tarmac road in the Dalmeny Estate. We passed the house and up the steep hill where sheep usually sleep on and I was storming the hill feeling great, with great suroundings and lovely weather. From there we headed into South Queensferry past the Train Station and then onto and over the bridge. My mate from Linlithgow headed off on his round the forth ride and I accidentally met up with a local rider who had just come off his opposite round the forth ride! Along the coastal path to the Bay and home. Brilliant ride, followed by some good bike fettling, changing out of Winter tyres and into summer set and new Audax tyres before heading off again to Aberdour to drop the bike off with the local bike guy for a new headset. FAB.

    Posted 11 years ago #
  22. Uberuce
    Member

    I had the first ride this week that didn't hurt my elbow. Partly because it's healing, but I suspect mostly because I'd read McCraw's blog and realised I should have been riding the MTBeam with its fatly cushioning 26*2.00 tyres the whole time, and rode that today instead.

    Posted 11 years ago #
  23. sallyhinch
    Member

    Glorious sunny spring morning down in Duns - visiting my parents which means heading out with Mum for the bare hour of freedom she can snatch from her caring responsibilities. She on her glorious Paperbike from LaidBack, me on my Brompton, quick circuit of the castle grounds and along the new boardwalk and back home.

    In the short time that she has owned the bike she has got fitter and fitter and can ride up inclines she was walking up even a month ago. It's a small thing in her life but even if she only gets out a couple of times a week it makes a huge difference.

    Posted 11 years ago #
  24. Cyclingmollie
    Member

    First chance to try my newly built winter bike. Frame, Altec 2+ eBay £72, Ultegra nine speed part-groupset eBay £130, the rest from my old bike. Help provided by Andrew at Bicycleworks and Paul at Ace Bikes. Thanks guys. Smooth transmission, nice handling - much more like my summer bike though maybe a wee bit harsh at the front, great shifting and braking.

    The weather for my hour-long test ride wasn't bad either.

    Posted 11 years ago #
  25. Charterhall
    Member

    A cracking morning's ride, out along the Kirky 10 course to Linlithgow, up the big hill past the Korean War memorial, left at the top to wend my way back through Newbridge and Ratho. Great views of snow capped mountains to the NW, I'm assuming one of them was Ben Ledi.
    Now consulting the map to try and include Cairnpapple the next time I'm out that way. A section of A89 looks unavoidable. Unless I just turn around at the top and go down the same way I went up.

    Posted 11 years ago #
  26. Radgeworks
    Member

    Absolutely amazing ride the day, roseburn up to slateford via chesser, up to craiglockhart, along colinton and up the heartbuster hill to bonaly, had a picnic, took in the glorious views to the horizon east north and west, then took the cycle path from the Gillespie bridge tae the dell, then dell doon the walkway tae chesser and hame again fi balgreen tae roseburn, best of it was I was just pootling along, and had 2 hours of decent riding, wi absolutely nae hassle whatsoever at any point, Glorious, R :->

    Posted 11 years ago #
  27. PS
    Member

    A lovely day; and nice to be able to get out on the bike rather than think "I wish my achilles would heal up enough to let me get out". So, 5 laps of Arthur's Seat then a trundle down to Cramond. Big grins.

    @Charterhall That bit of the A89 isn't *too* bad. If you follow the lanes that head east after Cairnpapple you're only on it for a few hundred yards before you can turn off into Dechmont. It's flat and you tend to have a tail wind, so you get up a fair speed (even after Cairnpapple) and get off again fairly quickly.

    Posted 11 years ago #
  28. Charterhall
    Member

    @PS Yes that's what I was looking at. I'll give it a go next time I'm over there.

    @RonnieJ Love how you start writing in English and progress into Scots at the half way point. Apart from the bits referring to cycling which stand out like the French weekend.

    Posted 11 years ago #
  29. DaveC
    Member

    Nice ride out to Aberdour yesterday. Both boys on their own bikes with me and Josie pushing up hills where needed. I took everything out in y paniers including buckets and spades. Arrived at Aberdour and met Josie's mum just off the bus from Burntisland. We then went for a lovely sit and dig on Black Sands. We had a lovely veiw over to Edinburgh, there was no wind and it was just lovely to sit drinking tea and eating sticky buns while looking out.

    Camie (6) has mild Scoliosys (spelling??) and had his new back brace on. He can cycle standing but says it hurts to sit and pedal. Hoping he is not put off cycling because of it... :'(

    Posted 11 years ago #
  30. Uberuce
    Member

    Lovely bimble along Cramond today, with a canine coxwean.

    She didn't like the Hermitage run a fortnight ago since it's so potholed and too much traffic for her tastes.

    The NEPN was a lot more successful. Sunday morning dead roads from Harrison Park to Russel Road. I found the ramp to be a doddle, which I wasn't expecting. Thence along to the esplanade on miles of good smooth surfacing without a car in sight until the shared use bit near Telford College. I took a wrong turn there and tried to go down a path that didn't look too promising, but didn't find that out until having to disconnect the trailer and then repeat the procedure shortly afterwards.

    Turfed her out the cage once I found the seafront and decided against locking the bike up and walking with her, since it's such a huge safe place that I reckoned I'd be alright riding instead. Pootled along to Cramond Inn and back while she roamed and ran alongside. I've found she doesn't care to get near cyclists. Joggers, walkers and other dogs she'll make a bee line for, but she's yet to go within four yards of a bike before stopping and hopping about uncertainly.

    Lots of compliments for the dog, since she is a smashing wee creature, and around about as many for the cage. Or carriage, as one lady called it. From accent and apparently unselfconcious use of the word carriage, she might be the capital L kind.

    Dog is completely knackered. Looked like someone filled a Schnauzer shaped bag with warm treacle and dumped it on our sofa.

    Posted 11 years ago #

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