Cyclable or too fast / a bit grim ?
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Infrastructure
A7 to Melrose
(11 posts)-
Posted 8 years ago #
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Very early in the morning it can be okay. At normal times, it's okay for stretches but I'd find the traffic wearing for the whole way. But there's the old coach road that runs parallel from Heriot southwards. That's hillier but far quieter. From Stow you can take a short cut over the hill.
Posted 8 years ago # -
I'll chime in as I live in Stow.
If you do it in rush hour you will be close passed incessantly, as drivers try to squeeze past into the path of oncoming traffic. They may leave you 1 or 2 metres but will pass you at 60-70mph. I do the commute from Stow to Edinburgh park sometimes, but I leave REALLY early to ensure the A7 has barely any cars on it.
I tried coming home on it once during rush hour and vowed never again. Now I head out along the canal, down the innocent railway, turn right at Niddrie and out to Sheriffhall. Then I do the A7 up to Newtongrange where at least there is a painted cycle lane, and hang a right under the viaduct onto the Carrington road. From there, it is virtually traffic free out to Middleton, and I make the route even longer by going over the granites and turning back towards Heriot, then down the coach road to Stow. It's 44 miles, so something I do for the miles and training (and enjoyment of cycling) as opposed to a daily commute, which I have decided is so not-fun that it is not worth doing.
I do know one person in Stow who cycles to the ERI and back as a regular commute but I don't fancy it myself.
Posted 8 years ago # -
Have decided the A7 is not for me. Alt route, longer (47 miles) but probably much more enjoyable. Esp as it'll be a return ride.
[url=https://flic.kr/p/WaA2pf]
Posted 8 years ago # -
Ian - you could do something like this on the return (up to Carrington)
Route via Stow and Heriot
Depending on traffic/mood, you could take a shortcut on the A7 to Middleton, avoiding the loop over the GranitesPosted 8 years ago # -
Last year I cycled the A7 all the way from Edinburgh To Galashiels very early in the morning (set off about 4am) with the road almost entirely to myself. Turns out it's actually a beautiful road!
Posted 8 years ago # -
Personally, I avoid the road between the bypass and Lasswade as well. Doing so requires an extra couple of miles, though (by detouring via either Loanhead or Eskbank). The bad stretch is only a mile long, but is worse on the way back as you're tired and it's uphill.
Posted 8 years ago # -
thanks to all - I shall do more Google map gazing tomorrow.
I might end up training it back instead - anyone tried to get a bike on the borders railway ?
Posted 8 years ago # -
Aye, few times from Tweedbank, Gala and Stow. Never had any problems.
Posted 8 years ago # -
Took afternoon off today and train to stow. Cycled north on quiet road parallel to a7. Bit up and down and tough with north easterly. At junction took left to heriot, lovely. People were enjoying afternoon tea in their garden, they were joyous in their response to my afternoon greeting. Went down granites from there for coffee at Innerleithen. Came back up granites into north easterly, was very tough. Took left to Middleton and then Carrington etc. Close to house of wookie who used to inhabit this forum. Later at Damhead I spotted the very same wookie. I will post on Spotted shortly
Posted 8 years ago # -
Once the Class 170's are released by EGIP electrification you'll have 2 official plus 2 flexible spaces plus the option of using door vestibules on side opposite to platforms, at staff discretion when trains are not busy. Up to 16 bikes per train (potentially 18+ if 3+ in bike spaces)
Posted 8 years ago #
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