CityCyclingEdinburgh was launched on the 27th of October 2009 as "an experiment".
IT’S TRUE!
CCE is 15years old!
Well done to ALL posters
It soon became useful and entertaining. There are regular posters, people who add useful info occasionally and plenty more who drop by to watch. That's fine. If you want to add news/comments it's easy to register and become a member.
RULES No personal insults. No swearing.
Mini- and micro-Greenroofer and I headed to Craighouse for a ride around on the traffic-free roads and car parks this morning. This was only micro-Greenroofer's third outing on a bike with pedals.
We bumped into Twinspark with mini- and micro-Twinsparks. Twinspark and I stood in the sunshine and talked bikes and cycling, while the four young ones whizzed around happily together on their bikes.
It wasn't a 'ride' as such (at least not for Twinspark and me), but it was still quite lovely.
"It wasn't a 'ride' as such"
Not just about the riding.
Sitting in the sun, after 1/2 mile cycle.
Currently watching two rabbits. Seen squirrels, blue tits, robin, wood pigeons etc.
The picnic got covered in hail.
At the opposite end of the spectrum to Greenroofer and chdot...
Boyfriend and I, in a moment of being less sensible than usual (which happens quite a lot in our house) decided to enter the Lang Wang Hilly Time Trial. This goes from just after Kirknewton airfield to Carnwath and back.
It was an interesting experience. I can confirm that cycling 35 miles as fast as you can hurts. It was nice out there, but the wind was coming from a strange direction. I didn't expect a headwind on the climbs on the return leg.
I rode out to the windfarm on Bransley Hill (aka Crystal Rig). Great view from Monynut Edge south to Dirrington Great Law and the distant Cheviots and east to Spartleton Edge. The Whiteadder Reservoir looked great in the sunshine. The rest of the ride home was into a chilling headwind and flurries of hail.
Rode out south east of Pencaitland this afternoon. The original idea had been to head down to Lauder but a later start and 5 or 6 hail showers suggested it might not be worth rising the potential of getting stuck in worse further from home. Still managed a respectable 51 miles.
Unfortunately, on the way back, I ended up with a slow deflation, caused by... a golf ball! Now that could be a first! I turned off Birsley road in Tranent onto Lammermoor Terrace and noticed just too late that there was a golf ball stuck in a crack in the road surface. The rear wheel banged over it. With no immediate signs of trouble, I continued onwards, but by the A1/Salters Rd crossing I could feel the tell-tale bounciness of a soft tyre. Thankfully it held up after re-inflation and was only a little soft when I got home. It's now completely deflated so I expect to find a snakebite unless the valve has been damaged by the sudden increase in pressure.
Somebody had had a prang in Musselburgh as there was a car neither going left to Mall Ave nor right over Bridge St. If it had just broken down I would expect the Police present would have pushed it out of the way. Instead, it was right up against the traffic lights so I'm guessing someone couldn't decide whether they were going left or right and tried to split the car in two. I didn't have a chance to see the front of the car though as I was stuck behind a bus driver who seemed incapable of interpreting a policeman's signal to proceed against the red light and edged forward at a stupidly slow pace.
Overall, a good day out and a decent 95 miles in the two days.
Great two hour blast into E Lothian this afternoon. Up Carberry, Fordell Dean, Saltouns, Bolton, Samuelston, then back roads to the level crossing, Pans and home. Unusual south easterly so got a push home. Needed it to get back to pick the kids up from school! Only downside was broken rear mudguard stay. Anyone know anythi g about soldering?
Is it an SKS guard - I have an old one you could have.
Further to my golf ball experience above, I found the tiniest of holes in the tube, and oddly it wasn't a snakebite. I fact, it was more or less right where the hole in the rim for the spoke nipple would be, and therefore neither where a snakebite would occur nor where anything penetrating the tyre would get to (not without piercing the outward-facing part of the tube first).
All I can imagine was that the impact with the golf ball happened to force that part of tube so hard against the rim that it was like a burst blood vessel. The hole is also right at the join in the tube. As my Mavic Aksiums have the stock hard plastic rim 'tape', it seems almost impossible to imagine how it happened unless it was due to the rapid increase in pressure causing the join itself to fail , but the hole is so miniscule, taking ages to pinpoint even when feeling the escaping air on my face. It seems like a million to one co-incidence that a golf ball would hit such a sweet spot in a quality tube.
Not that lovely from an ordinary point of view, but from mine after breaking my arm back in January got back on my cycle on Friday evening - chilly, windy, rain in the air. Physically I could have got back on earlier but the weather has been awful and there was no daylight after work. Then my cycle had to be repaired. However I cycled to Saughton Park - about one mile - and found I hadn't lost my confidence as I did last year when I had an accident (groin strain), though of course I am unfit. So cycled along the Cramond Esplanade on Sunday. Chilly wind, waves banging against the sea wall and head wind (stupid way to tackle it - I did the Roseburn Path - Davidsons Mains, Road to Cramond then along towards Granton the wrong way round as far as a north east wind was concerned). However the haar made it atmospheric and until numb hands made me give up and return was glad to be out on a cycle again.
"and found I hadn't lost my confidence"
That's good.
The fitness will come - as the weather improves...
Nice commute in today. It was bright and mild and the the traffic levels were lower to the partial holiday. I felt a bit raw on the way out to Wallyford but my legs started to come back to life after Musselburgh so the ride back in was more pleasant. Now got that nice buzz.
Took advantage of the bank holiday to go see Kingscavil, which I had not seen before, so tootled over that way. While cycling towards it, I thought "that doesn't look like much of a hill!". Oh how I came to regret that thought, I shall have to go back again when feeling a little more... refreshed. Nearly had to get off and push! :( That aside, near perfect day for a spin in terms of the weather.
Hehe @Kenny - 2nd time will be even worse because you will know what pain it inflicts! Well done on making it though, its a good challenge.
2nd time will be even worse because you will know what pain it inflicts
Oh noes! And there was me hoping it would be easier because at least I'd know I wasn't finished climbing at the first "summit"... Is there any worse feeling that getting to what you think is the top, only to find there's more to come?
The false flat after the false summit is particularly nasty too - it looks pretty much level after the 16% bit preceding it, but it's at least 5% and gradually ramps up again to the top.
Be strong, Kenny. It does get easier. Once you've been up it maybe 20 times. ;o)
Fuego - cycling versus kayaking by LaidBackBikes, on Flickr
Deciding I needed a long training run to prepare for next weekeen'd Bethany Sportive, I headed out towards Glasgow. Cramond Brig, Kirkliston, Winchburgh, Linlighgow, Falkirk Wheel, Bonnybridge (south of) Kilsyth, Kirkintilloch, (west of) Bishopbriggs and finally to Spiers Wharf to ensure the mileage had ticked over to 50 in one direction.
A few minutes later, it was return trip time, and whereas I'd used the road from Edinburgh to Linlighgow on the outward journey, I opted for the canals on the way back, heading south through Broxburn and Ratho before coming off at Cutlins Road and taking the tram route home.
A beautiful warm day, just right for cycling. Plenty people about, walking and cycling, and a lot of narrowboats too. A couple of Scottish Canals guys stopped me to ask if I'd passed a narrowboat as there were 3 impatient boatloads waiting to go the other way, but they were very understanding when I said I'd seen that many that I couldn't remember if I'd passed one since leaving the Wheel.
The tow-paths were in pretty reasonable;e condition thanks to the dry weather, only muddy where they are in constant shade. I just wish that they could all be given a smooth surface, if not of tarmac then at least whindust/fine gravel.
A few gripes about other towpath users not using common sense or being alert ((not all moving to same side of path 2 near head-ons with dozy riders, texting instead of looking etc), but other than that I had a good run.
Plenty of wildlife as noted in the wildlife thread.
Finally got home after 108 miles just before 10pm, via my local Chinese takeaway. It pays to be friendly there (we chat about cycling) as I was allowed to bring my bike inside. And thanks too to my local Sainsbury's where I was also allowed to take my bike in (just before closing) to buy some much-needed chocolate.
Happy days, the perfect morning for a cycle. Down from Fairmilehead to Peebles via Auchendinny, a loop out to come back at Innerleithen then up over the Granties before returning via Roslin. About 57 miles in total and great conditions, worth getting up for!
Took my New Bicycle for a proper spin - out along the North Edinburgh Path to Crammod Brig, through Kirknewton and Newbridge and Kirkliston and back down the Lanark Road.
There was a sign about a coffee shop just where I crossed the canal but when I investigated it turned out to be closed :-(
Standard morning commute, but was riding wee blue floofy on its new tyres, after getting its first puncture since I bought it in Spetember 2010. Turns out the back tyre was worn right down to the base rubber and the front is barely better.
New tyres are 35mm as opposed to the old 32s and between the extra air and the extra rubber from lack of wear, it's now wonderfully floaty and comfortable over the rubbish surfacing.
through Kirknewton and Newbridge and Kirkliston
think you mixed around your Newtons and Listons?
Cycled down to England and back on Saturday. I was sent back the way I'd come at Preston (Berwickshire not Lancashire) because of road closures for the Jim Clark Rally which added an unwelcome 20km. I've been suffering from a chest infection for the last fortnight and the effect that's had on me was clear from the moment I set off back home. I had to stop every few kilometres to catch my breath and at one point was almost sick. Just awful but still, I made it home and on balance enjoyed it.
@kaputnik probably, I usually do. Drives Boyfriend nuts...
I was sent back the way I'd come
At least you weren't turned away at the border!
I took my first ever ride down to Carnwath today. Very pleasant. Started off at 8am and couldn't quite decide whether I would need a long sleeved top or not, but decided to risk it and it was the right decision. Weather forecast wasn't very accurate though, first 90 minutes was in constant misty rain to the point where I had to take my sunglasses off as they were impossible to see through. Wasn't too cold though.
Nearly got hit by a stray sheep coming round a blind corner on the way down to Carnwath, which promptly shat itself as soon as it realised I was near it and started running randomly about, to the point I ended up on the other side of the road.
This was pretty much the first time I have managed to cycle 50 miles without my rear end and lower back being in significant discomfort / pain by the time I had passed ~35 miles. Instead, those areas felt pretty good and the legs were strong at the end too. I must be getting better at this long distance stuff :) (although still a long way to go to being able to do the 300km type rides which some of you are on this weekend).
Staying at my daughter's flat in Dundee for the time being while she's in hospital, and needing further training for my trip to the Alps next week :-|
Yesterday I started at Forfar, headed via Aberlemno, Brechin and Edzell up to Glen Esk. Got soaked in first half hour, had rain jacket and overshoes on from the start. At the turn into the glen it looked like I was heading up into cloud and rain.
I've driven up Glen Esk a couple of times to get to the start of the walk to Mount Keen, it turned out to be quite a pleasant ride as the clouds lifted (though still no sun). Was better at the top of the glen than anywhere else all day!
Nice ride back, even with the climb back up over Aberlemno.
Today did a shortish (30 miles) leg stretcher to north and east of Dundee on a loop I did a month ago. 5 minutes faster, average heart rate 10 bpm lower, according to Garmin. The training's working!
I had some cards to deliver to family members yesterday, and thought I'd save on the cost of some stamps. Went from Porty to Straiton, then to North Bridge, down to Newhaven, and along to the Forth Road Bridge to Fife. I didn't realise the A90 path was shut, but the diversion through the Dalmeny Estate was lovely (& well signposted!). Diversion sign then tried to send me down Standingstane Road, but I ignored it and went the usual route.
Ended up a bit tired in Burntisland, so hopped on the train home. Cost a couple of quid more then the stamps would have, but who's counting?
Lovely and Warm this morning.
Yeh! Great ride into town this morning from Inverkeithing to Edinburgh - warm sunshine and Dalmeny diversion is a real bonus in good weather - watch out for the lambs! For the second Friday in row I've taken the coast route home from the big hoose. Its really good in sunshine ...and a quick climb up to the Bridge.
Canal route to Gogar Station Rd from Meggetland was particularly pleasant and idyllic today.. Lots of pleasantries and smiles from fellow riders , pedestrians and barge goers..
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