CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Leisure

CCE50s (day trip routes)

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  1. chdot
    Admin

    I see that the sun has brought out the planning stage on the Audax thread -

    http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15383&page=3#post-212752

    I'm sure that there are many people on here who regard riding 100s of kms as 'impossible' - or perhaps an 'aspiration'.

    Many more may think closer to 50 (km or miles) is more realistic for them.

    Perhaps this thread could collect suggestions with that sort of mileage either as loops or one way with a train journey for the first or return part (or for both).

    Posted 8 years ago #

  2. fimm
    Member

    My usual 50km loop is out to the Gladhouse reservoir and back. Nice quiet roads once you are out of Edinburgh.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  3. wingpig
    Member

    Norberwick and back again.
    Round the Forth (short Kincardine option) (if you're starting from/ending at SQ or Dalmeny).
    Thrice around the NEPN/Innocent.
    Variations on trying-to-follow-the-RR-route.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  4. amir
    Member

    A round trip to the Humbie Hub - there are plenty of nice wee roads - but it is uphill to Humbie. Cake is great though.

    Similarly to East Linton (a bit longer) where cafes can be found at Tyninghame (brownies, yum), the garden centre at Smeaton Nursery. On the way out one could wind through e.g. Kington, then come back alongside Trapain Law to see Hailes Castle.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  5. amir
    Member

    West Linton is as nice as East! You can get there via the wonderfully stark Auchenforth moor road. There's a good cafe in the village as well as an interesting bookshop - or take a trip over to Whitmuir. There's pleanty of industrial heritage in the wilds, plus if you're feeling energetic you could try the road up into the Pentlands.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  6. chdot
    Admin

    "an interesting bookshop"

    Mostly secondhand - I usually find something to buy!

    "
    Our business hours (GMT) are: 2:00pm-5:00pm [closed Thursdays] and we are open EVERY Sunday throughout the year, or by appointment.

    "

    http://www.abebooks.co.uk/linton-books-west-linton/51398599/sf

    Posted 8 years ago #

  7. fimm
    Member

    Here's my usual Gladhouse loop (starting from PY rather than my flat!)
    http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6805762
    No cafes I am afraid - apart from the nice new one in Craigdon Sports at Fairmilehead.

    My rule is that I am allowed to stop at the reservoir for a snack and to admire the view.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  8. cb
    Member

    "No cafes I am afraid"

    Café at Rosslyn Chapel. Haven't actually tried it.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  9. steveo
    Member

    My usual out and back is to Harperrig, no cafes either but I generally have a piece when I get there. A70 isn't as bad as its designation would suggest the busiest bit of the ride is getting through Juniper Green.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  10. LaidBack
    Member

    Our Sunday tandem forays tend to go into East Lothian. Gosford Bothy being a nice stop (thanks to a suggestion from Arellcat).
    Or head up through Haddington to Gifford.

    Traprain Law area is good as people say. Was round that way last Friday morning on a Scotrail assisted route recce.

    Solo I'd do West Linton or Carnwath - Pentland loop.
    Other good route was train assisted to Falkirk. Then Kelpies and West Fife cycleway.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  11. PS
    Member

    I used to do a similar Gladhouse loop to fimm but, starting from the east end on the city centre, I'd head out up the Bridges, and Minto Street, then through Gilmerton, Lasswade, Polton, then back home through Liberton. Dunno how they compare traffic-wise.

    If you're so inclined, you can extend that loop with the nice wee road from Temple over to Middleton and then the long steady climb up to the Granites (B7007). Would probably add another 10-15km.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  12. amir
    Member

    PS has reminded me of another classic, hilly ride. Through Carrington along the NCN 1 up the Granites to the top of the Moorfoots road. Then wee down the other side before turning left to Heriot. Then a short stretch south on the A7 (avoidable by taking a track past a farm) and then take the left up the hill surrounded by forestry towards Soutra. Cross the Roman road and pass Soutra Ailse (worth stopping to look at the info signs about the former hospital and for the great view). Then down to the A68 and turn left for a very short stretch downhill (good cafe on the right - great views) before turning right onto the road to Humbie (second op for Cafe). I'm not sure how far that is, probably about 40 miles from Eskbank, which isn't a bad place to start if you want to use the train.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  13. amir
    Member

    In addition to the above, the Borders Railway is a great way to get a bit further out for some nice rides. Any of the Midlothian stations will get you beyond the Edinburgh sprawl for quieter roads. Stow in the Borders opens up the coach road parallel to the A7 (and there's a great cafe!)

    Posted 8 years ago #

  14. LaidBack
    Member

    @amir Very true. This year we hope to do another run to Tweedbank one Sunday as we did last year. Trains on a Sunday do get packed but staff attitude is good.
    My other half enjoyed climbing the Granites and down route to Innerleithen (No 1 Peebles Rd) for lunch. Then on after down beside the Tweed - a first time for her. On solo bike I might just loop round but I think for non-timed sight-seeing, 50 miles is about right. On this we averaged 10.5mph with two other riders. We managed to get back on same train and one got off at Newtongrange. He's used the rail since to extend his 90 mile tours.

    Equates to around 7 hours. Around five hours riding with two hours off bike - divided between lunch and other stops. So Sunday start around 10 with arrival in Tweedbank around 5. Allow for irregular trains and bail out at 6. Back to Edinburgh back of 7. Quite enough for most people (ie non-Audaxers!)

    Posted 8 years ago #

  15. gembo
    Member

    Loops from Balerno

    Round pentlands as mentioned, bout 55 miles, cafe is red barn at elsrickle

    Short medium or long Carnwath via Woolfords then auchengray. Long route is right at very start of auchengray down what looks like a farm track but quickly you see it as Mud Road with Tarmac underneath (not really that bad), medium and short loops at the turn on the other side of auchengray. Even shorter route in extreme wind take left way before auchengray at polkelly turn and head up to tarbrax. Goes something like 32, 40, 46, 52 miles. On the 52 miler there is a dink just short of wilsontown over a bridge that only bikes and peds can cross. Cafe obviously apple pie Carnwath

    Balerno, stoneyburn, fauldhouse, harthill, blackridge, Westfield, torphicen uphall, mid Calder Balerno is possibly my favourite. Cafe Cupcakes of torphicen, about 53 miles

    Balerno, stoneyburn, fauldhouse, headless cross, col du climpy, braehead, Carnwath, apple pie Lang whang. Again cafe Apple pie. 50ish miles maybe 52

    Posted 8 years ago #

  16. fimm
    Member

    Maps would be good, folks :-)

    Posted 8 years ago #

  17. paulmilne
    Member

    A nice run from Port Seton to Dunbar, or vice versa, depending on which way the wind blows. Can also incorporate into circular routes north or south.

    https://www.strava.com/routes/4157818

    From Waverley Station I clocked 33.9 miles last Saturday heading back to Dunbar on this route.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  18. LaidBack
    Member

    https://www.plotaroute.com/route/119765

    Route to Gala.

    Posted 8 years ago #

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