CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Commuting

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

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  1. Arellcat
    Moderator

    I'm not sure I'd call it "lovely" as such, because I was knackered when I got home, although I was glad I'd gone out, after not really feeling like it at breakfast time. I went for another blast in the torpedo this morning on my semi-usual training run.

    Straight out along the A8 from Corstorphine to Newbridge to the roundabout at Broxburn (into the wind), then doubleback with a tailwind to Newbridge. Turned right and took the Col de Clifton Hall up to Wilkieston, having a chat en route with a guy on a spindly carbon road bike. Turned left at Wilkieston and headed back into town on the A71. I left a roadie for dust, then ran out of gears when I reached 41mph somewhere around Addiston farm. The torpedo is only geared to 110 inches and needs a few more teeth on the big chainring.

    Then did some shopping for bananas and went home for lunch. I did the first 23 miles in just over the hour, and the last hilly suburban 5 miles took 23 minutes.

    I'm not sure if riding an Elephant Bike on your 'rest' days really counts as rest.

    Posted 6 years ago #

  2. Greenroofer
    Member

    @Arellcat - do you feel the advantages of a tailwind in the torpedo in the same way as on a normal bicycle?

    I am coming to the same conclusion about 'rest days' and Elephant Bikes...

    Posted 6 years ago #

  3. Arellcat
    Moderator

    @Greenroofer, tailwinds help a little bit, not so much for pushing me along but to reduce the speed of the airflow from the front. I can do 25mph into the wind, but a return run will let me ratchet it up to 35 or more.

    Posted 6 years ago #

  4. Greenroofer
    Member

    I had a lovely ride today.

    I went to Carnwath and back along the Lang Whang.

    Yes the headwind on the way out was brutal (pedal downhill brutal). Yes I got rained on quite heavily when I was five minutes from getting home. Yes my chain came off (a first for me) at the top of Craiglockhart Avenue. Yes some bits of the Lang Whang are still lumpy.

    I think the wind had genuinely abated a bit by the time I turned for home (the grass wasn't being blown completely flat, and the white horses had gone from Harperrig Reservoir) but nevertheless the return ride was AWESOME. PR after PR got smashed as I was blown home. I did the Harperrig to Kirknewton Strava segment at an average speed of 28mph without pedalling. Weeeee!

    Posted 6 years ago #

  5. gembo
    Member

    @ Greenroofer, the shenshation you experience is known as The Quickening

    Did it. Yesterday as end of Col de Cimpy 4 Galas route.

    Some scary side gusts yesterday too but ducked the worst of the Whang routes by using back roads.

    For you the easiest backroad is to take the long dalmahoy road then the back road to kirknewton then east Calder, mid Calder take left turn to backroad to Lizzie brice, go over roundabout exit second left, take care, then immediate first left after 250 yards, then left again then round and left before the railway bridge, takes you to murieston. At top of murieston brae take left backroad to harburn, at top of wee hill when faced with a downhill or turning right, turn tight and go through hArburn to the golf course. By this point yesterday you would have bagged two galas.

    At golf course go right down hill to crossroads and turn left to Woolfords, past ned boulting's parents house. Get to Woolfords and push on to auchengray which has first tight to mud road which is long way to Carnwath via Braehead or straight on to left turn which is quickest back road to Carnwath,mcomes out near hagrid's hut just shy of Carnwath. Or right fork over level crossing, comes out south of Braehead so misses that climb or descent but leaves you the carstairs esker to climb before descending to Carnwath ( behind the village but just turn left and you will soon be at the apple pie)

    Posted 6 years ago #

  6. Arellcat
    Moderator

    This morning I did my usual A8 sprint out to the Broxburn roundabout, but the wind was from the southwest, very gusty and made it heavy going. I think my top speed was only 36mph on the descent towards Ratho Station, but I was able to make up for it on the level on my return run towards Newbridge.

    My legs were tired though, and I needed bottom gear for the Col de Clifton Hall (about 5 gears lower than last time!).

    After left at Wilkieston, for a change I turned right for the Linburn road to Kirknewton or Long Dalmahoy Road. That was when I discovered my GPS hadn't been recording my ride for Strava. LDR came at last and I didn't give it my all, because even though I was going east I still had a head wind! For the hell of it I turned right at the Balerno/Ravelrig road. The climb to Balerno took everything my legs had, and my quads were screaming for me to stop. I didn't, and I carried on grinding the pedals round in bottom gear.

    Then it was an efficient blast back along the A70 to the Gillespie crossroads, but I couldn't face the Redford Road climb, so belted down to Slateford. I went through the 40mph speed trap at a healthy rate of knots but the torpedo is immune to radar.

    Finished with a warm down through the Royal Ed, and a few stops to take photographs, before the final grind to the summit of Edinburgh again.

    Total was about 30 miles I think. I made a toasted bagel stuffed with brie and spinach and it was ace.

    Posted 6 years ago #

  7. Greenroofer
    Member

    @gembo I shall bear that route in mind: it sounds interesting but more complex than "Go down the A70 until you get to Carwath" :-)

    Posted 6 years ago #

  8. gembo
    Member

    @greenroofer, I can always show you the route, that is the easiest way.

    @arellcat heart attack hill up to Balerno from long dalmahoy in the torpedo, holy moly

    Posted 6 years ago #

  9. Stickman
    Member

    Just a short ride from Aviemore to Boat of Garten along NCN7 this morning but absolutely wonderful. Stunning views and weather; coffee and brownie in the wee gallery/cafe then back again. Cracking start to the day.

    Posted 6 years ago #

  10. paddyirish
    Member

    To mark the approaching solstice, I left the house in full daylight at 4.30, up over Cleish Hill, Round Loch Leven and back over Cleish Hill and then into work in time for my 9.15 meeting. Roads were very quiet and not much breeze. Nice encounter with a mother deer and her young.

    Trying very hard not to resent w0rk for interrupting my cycling...

    Posted 6 years ago #

  11. wingpig
    Member

    I was stuck behind a woodchipper being towed by a truck filled with lovely-smelling coniferous chippings and needles all along Lower Granton Road the evening. Much nicer than being stuck behind an abused taxi, or a bin lorry, or a Firstbus.

    Posted 6 years ago #

  12. Stickman
    Member

    This morning: Old Logging Way from Aviemore then round Loch Morlich. Thought I'd regret not having a go at the ski road up Cairngorm but bailed after 1.5 miles. Need more climbing training.

    This afternoon: leisurely ride along NCN7 to Boat of Garten and back with my wife.

    Coffees: two
    Cakes: one
    Scones: one (with jam & cream)
    Steam trains: one
    Dogs petted: two
    Pints drunk: one

    All in all a superb day.

    Posted 6 years ago #

  13. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    I'm going to have to post this in about five different threads.

    It being the solstice and having no other commitments I packed my trailer with overnight gear and took off from the house. Through the Hermitage of Braid, along the canal, up the Water of Leith, out the Whang, over by the Borestane to Carlops thence to Rommano House for a crack at the Borders Drove Road. Failed to find it, turned back, spotted it. Nothing but a vertical bramble thicket labeled as a path. Hopeless. Headed for Peebles on the road.

    Picked the Drove Road up again at Traquair. Cycled up to Minch Moor. Brutal, but I had to do it because I told the lovely guy in the village who filled my bidons that I would.

    Nowhere to put a tent at the top and couldn't see the Tweed so dropped down a bit. Met two Norwegian mountain bikers coming up the way, first guy asking directions. I look at second guy and his face is all messed up, but he's cheerful. Fell off and stuck his handlebar in his eye. Ow. He seemed more worried about his tattoos getting ripped up on his arm. Kept going and wound up on one of the downhill trails, most funny with the trailer bouncing along behind me. Almost wished for a storm trooper to run into the back of me.

    Camped at the hill fort at West Bold @ NT364359. Fantastic location, dominating the Tweed. Only lacking water which I fetched. Pair of ospreys circling constantly, roe deer barking. Spied on evening life in Walkerburn with binoculars. Assignation at the rugby training pitch behind the catering van! Wind and rain at night but pfffft, Scotland.

    Back down on the logging roads, youngsters on fancy downhill bikes coming up all confused at old boy on hybrid pelting down with luggage.

    NCN1 home. Granites nice as ever, lovely cycle outing coming the other way all genial. Midlothian is a disaster. NCN1 tortuous, announcing 22 miles to town at one point where I could see the castle no more than ten miles away. Went straight through Lasswade and down the hill. Oddly knackering but good. Water was an issue, maybe dehydrated and needing beer?

    Posted 6 years ago #

  14. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    I did a double push!

    Posted 6 years ago #

  15. gembo
    Member

    All happening there @IWRATS

    Posted 6 years ago #

  16. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    @gembo

    Not even mentioned the herd of cows that tried to sneak up on me.

    Posted 6 years ago #

  17. gembo
    Member

    Sneaky cows

    Posted 6 years ago #

  18. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    Also had a brake pad go down to the backing on the descent off the Granites. Crisis!

    Posted 6 years ago #

  19. steveo
    Member

    Sound like fun IWRATS.

    Failed to find it, turned back, spotted it. Nothing but a vertical bramble thicket labeled as a path. Hopeless. Headed for Peebles on the road.

    Yeah it opens up about 50m up the path, probably better arriving in the dark and not having the option!

    Posted 6 years ago #

  20. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    Yeah it opens up about 50m up the path

    Oh I see. Is it ridable with camping kit in tow?

    Certainly was fun. Second order fun mostly, but some first order too. Had to have a wee nap as soon as I'd got the tent up about six and I'm not a napper at all.

    I quite enjoyed greeting all the youngsters on their fancy bikes like I was a grizzled sea dog at the helm of a storm-battered cutter and they were holiday-makers in pedalos.

    Posted 6 years ago #

  21. gembo
    Member

    We went fala hill out of fauldhouse and then harthill to blackridge and heights then down to avonbridge and cupcakes of torphicen. Excellent descent at west binny hill then back via circuitous routes of gogar burn.

    Slightly held up at fauldhouse by an orange walk. We could hear th flutes carried on the wind after we left stoney burn. It was the 1970s. Curiously they end up playing the dambusters theme on their flutes. Not heard that one before.

    I was actually briefly in the parade with a pink top on only right at the end but then we skipped it on the pavement.

    Not been stuck near one for a few years I really hate them.

    Posted 6 years ago #

  22. steveo
    Member

    Oh I see. Is it ridable with camping kit in tow?

    Yeah it gets better, it's steep and grassy but a low gear and some grip in the tyres you'd be fine and it is totally desolate I didn't see a soul before I hit Peebles.

    Posted 6 years ago #

  23. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    @steveo

    Interesting, cheers. I take it that was your improvised campsite that turned out to be someone's house and you were doing it with morning-fresh legs?

    I'm always astounded at how empty the wild trails are and how busy the manicured playgrounds are.

    Posted 6 years ago #

  24. steveo
    Member

    Yeah my bed for the evening was just beyond that narrow path. I pushed up the narrow bit on knackered legs and cracked on with the steep stuff in the morning.

    Must admit I prefer the empty parts of the country.

    Posted 6 years ago #

  25. Min
    Member

    Rather enjoyed my ride in this morning despite the rain. Camaraderie at the traffic lights with other cyclists, loads of spaces at the bike racks and an empty changing room where I didn't have to spend any time hopping about on one leg with my troosers half up/down trying to let other people past. Then a nice hot shower and dry clothes to change into.

    Posted 6 years ago #

  26. fimm
    Member

    On Saturday BOFFOF and I joined a friend (whose idea it was) to do the Five Ferry Challenge.

    We got a train from Edinburgh to Glasgow, and another from Glasgow to Ardrossan. Then we cycled from Brodick to Lochranza where we got a ferry over to Kintyre. We cycled from Claonaig to Tarbert where we had a longish wait for the next ferry, so we had lunch in a seafood festival that happened to be on. The next ferry took us to Portavadie on the Cowal Peninsula where we had the longest cycling leg of the day to Colintraive. This was also the wettest part of the ride! A five-minute ferry ride brought us to Bute and the ride from Rhubodach to Rothesay and the ferry to Wemyss Bay and its very grand railway station for the train back to Glasgow Central. A sprint across Glasgow city centre and we just made the train back to Edinburgh.

    It is about 50 miles of cycling, but a lot of travelling (especially with starting & finishing in Edinburgh). The weather was a bit mixed, which was a shame. We had some nice sunshine on Bute to finish, though, which was a bonus.

    This route is obviously quite a Thing. You can even buy a "5 ferries" set of CalMac tickets. If I were to do the route again I think I would spread it over several days and explore the various places we went to, rather than just blasting through on the way to the next boat!

    Posted 6 years ago #

  27. Roibeard
    Member

    Unfortunately "a thing" entirely at CalMac's whim. There are no cycle reservations possible (unless in a "large group") and drivers get priority. On my one and only attempt at this, I was refused access to the Brodick ferry, was told I could wait, but there was no guarantee of getting on the next one either, and even if I got on to Arran on the next ferry for a cycle round that island (too late for the 5 Ferries by that stage), there was no guarantee I could get back off!

    Robert

    Posted 6 years ago #

  28. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    As advertised elsewhere this weekend was the grand Glentrool outing. It's an almost loop around the Galloway forest, containing the Rhinns of Kells. It's country I didn't know at all and which I found fantastically beautiful.

    Day one was a tee-shirt ride out through the woods from Loch Doon to the tar-macadam road at Stinchar Bridge. Navigational error 1 led to a sighting of a pair of Scottish crossbills in the woods at Loch Riecawr. No sooner on the road south over bleak moor of Shalloch and this conversation occurs;

    SCOTTISH WEATHER: Are you having fun, humans?
    CYCLISTS: Em, yes, thank you.
    SCOTTISH WEATHER: Well take this and stop having fun at once.
    CYCLISTS: Our pockets are full of water and we are cold.
    SCOTTISH WEATHER: Would you like some lightning?
    CYCLISTS: This is fine, thank you.

    Dipped in to Glen Trool trail centre for cake and a warm up. Navigational error 2 led to some nice unexpected single track and a look at the loch, which is lovely. Glen Trool oak wood is also lovely. Mad descent off the hill back to tarmacadam, which is labeled EU route 1. Ha. Ha. Ha. B&B in Newton Stewart, amusing chat in pub after hot bath with guy makes moulds for concrete bridges. Kit dried on radiator.

    Day two starts as ever with navigation errors 3 and 4 trying to find the back road out of town into the hills. Helpful locals turn us back both times. Very up, very down. Tawny owl floats over us. Repeat. Hills gorgeous and totally unknown to me. Empty too. Plough on past bothy at Backhill of Bush north to the Gap. This is the two kilometres of path missing to make loop back to Loch Doon. I knew it would be bad. Plan was to follow fire breaks in forest, but forest had been cut down so;

    i) vegetation had gone mental in new sunlight
    ii) ground churned by huge machines
    iii) bits of tree lying everywhere

    Greatly impressed by Madame IWRATS' indefatigability. I'll go at that stuff like an aurochs in an art gallery but she held her own even in the knee-deep stinking bog section. Genuinely the ragged edge of recreational cycling.

    Navigational error 5 led to a bit of anxiety once out of the bog - forest roads not corresponding to map at all but compass bearing and self-belief overcomes all. Great relief to get back to motor vehicle - genuinely tough day. Even greater relief to divert to house of friends for tea on the way home - the kind of friends who don't mind a bit of ingrained trail dirt and a thousand yard stare at table.

    Posted 6 years ago #

  29. LaidBack
    Member

    Fimm - This route is obviously quite a Thing. You can even buy a "5 ferries" set of CalMac tickets. If I were to do the route again I think I would spread it over several days and explore the various places we went to, rather than just blasting through on the way to the next boat!
    Irene and I are committed to slow travel in this part of the world. Having a 35kg tandem with luggage helps!

    Roibeard - "a thing" entirely at CalMac's whim. There are no cycle reservations possible (unless in a "large group") and drivers get priority. On my one and only attempt at this, I was refused access to the Brodick ferry,
    A constant worry if you are trying to link up routes. We got the feeling that CalMac tolerate bikes - bit like ScotRail on a good day. Green travel is stressful.

    IWRATS - Greatly impressed by Madame IWRATS' indefatigably. That route would have been 'most unsuitable' for Irene! Epic.

    Posted 6 years ago #

  30. gembo
    Member

    Some good trips in my childhood stomping grounds - Rothesay, Wemyss Bay, The River Stinchar etc, lent Trool

    and the weather in the West was pretty good judging by folk I know who were on arran all weekend

    Posted 6 years ago #

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