You would need a seat post extender for the Brompton for it to fit a 6'5" person. You also need to put them in a bag to take them on a bus (apparently - I've never tried).
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Questions/Support/Help
Orchard Brae route help
(43 posts)- Started 8 years ago by Claire
- Latest reply from ih
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not a support question
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Posted 8 years ago #
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I had to put my Brompton in a bag to take it on the airport bus, which was a first for me. I've not taken any other Edinburgh bus though so no idea if that's general bus policy or just that individual driver.
The problem with bike-bus-bike is he'll get less exercise than walking and won't save any money. I'd say chumming him on the route would be the way to go if you can manage the time and enjoy cycling together
Posted 8 years ago # -
@fimm I'm 6'5" and nobody has ever put me in a bag to take me on a bus...
The thing that has stopped me buying a brompton is not the height issue which is surmountable with the seatpost, but that they specify a maximum weight of 100kg. Unfortunately I am still somewhat north of that...
Posted 8 years ago # -
<Re-reads post>
Oh, piffle...(I might get my O/H in a bag to take him on the bus; he's 5'5"... when we were coming back from somewhere with his bike in a bike box the taxi driver was joking that he had his mother-in-law in it - my mother is 5'0")
Posted 8 years ago # -
@sally Yep, absolutely. I think a chum might be the way to go for a couple of weeks. Choose his preferred least hairy option, take a tootle in together and he'll gradually build confidence and soon be a rabid rider. At least, that's how it all goes in my head. Can't wait!
Posted 8 years ago # -
RE the bus, didn't someone else on the forum have a ridiculous conversation with a bus driver once as they tried to get their child's bike on the bus and the driver refused unless it was bagged. Something to do with the chain being exposed?
Posted 8 years ago # -
O/H took over an hour to get home yesterday via public transport. He said the congestion was so bad at Haymarket he stood waiting for over 15 mins for a tram that said it would arrive in 3 mins.
Gloriously, he said "I need to sort the cycling out. I could get to work in half an hour, right?"
Yes, O/H. Yes, you could.
Posted 8 years ago # -
@claire I think your O/H could walk it in 30 minutes and once he's used to the route, cycle it in 20 max.
This is my suggestion which I was waiting until I'd just tried it out on Sunday. I'm not sure of your precise starting point so I'll assume Roseburn. Use the Roseburn Path as you tried initially, either through Roseburn Park and the back route to the Russell Road access zig-zags, or more directly, if O/H gets a bit of confidence, straight along Roseburn Terrace and turn left up W Coates Terrace and take the second access to Roseburn Path (the first is impossibly steep). Ok, once on the path, don't go as far as your tree root ramp at Ravelston Dykes, but come off right, up the steps (not steep and you can wheel the bike up the side) signposted to St George's school. Go towards the school, turn left and at the end of the road there's a cut through path that takes you to Ravelston Dykes.
There isn't a good quiet option now, but use R Dykes, which is quite broad and should feel Ok, and then straight across the lights to Ravelston Terrace. This is a bit narrow at the start and end but if O/H can just hold the line he should be good. Could always walk this bit! Finally, left on Dean Path, cross Queensferry Road at lights and into Orchard Brae. If you chum him a couple of times he'll get it.
Walking. Actually, this would be more direct and a lovely way to get home, so I'll describe the homeward journey. Walk up Orchard Brae, across Q Road and into Dean Path. In about 200m there's a path on the right that goes down to the Water of Leith. Once down there, take it all the way to Roseburn. What a fantastic commute!
Your original question highlights how desperately we need decent infrastructure on arterial roads!
Posted 8 years ago # -
@ih Wow you actually went out to take a look? I am so impressed!! After you popped this up on the forum I actually did this option last night on the way home. I am going to ride with the O/H on Friday morning into work using this route and see how it goes.
He said thank you very much for taking the time to investigate. I think your kind actions now mean that he is obliged to cycle to work! ;)
PS we live in Corstorphine, but can use the quietway to get to Roseburn. It really is just that last mile that's a problem...
Posted 8 years ago # -
ih, I'm going to investigate your route as well!
Posted 8 years ago # -
Success!!!!
Yes, that's right. The o/h and I cycled to his work today using @ih's route. Woo!
It took 30 minutes door to door, around 10-15 minutes quicker than his walk/bus/walk commute. The o/h said he enjoyed his ride in and it was "easy".
This is the first time he's cycled to this office; it's taken over a year of me quietly badgering him but it looks like this could be the start of something beautiful, haha.
On the route, the cut through at the school is a bit faffy for me due to the stairs and the gates at the path, so on return I think I will try the residential streets that spit out at Roseburn. O/H might prefer stairs though as no traffic hassling when on a climb :)
Thanks again! Looks like Try on Friday has been a success.
Posted 8 years ago # -
Awesome happy ending/beginning. :-)
Posted 8 years ago # -
Bravo @Claire and O/H of Claire!
Posted 8 years ago #
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