CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Commuting

New commuter: Portobello to Sighthill

(11 posts)

  1. joebtay
    Member

    Hello everyone,
    I'm new on here, and will be cycling from Portobello to Sighthill as a daily commute. I am unfamiliar with cycling routes and wondered if anyone had any tips. Thanks in advance!

    Posted 5 years ago #
  2. unhurt
    Member

    Hiya! Suspect others who do parts of that route will have more to say, but assume you will want to get to the canal and take it out to Murrayburn. So, up to the Innnocent Railway and across the the Meadows probably, but depends where in Porty you are. I actually don't mind Inchview Terrace / Portobello Rd etc. that much (but usually not on them during rush hour so may be talking mince). You could then take Montrose Terrace to head up the Bridges, turn into Chambers Street and go round via Lauriston Place to Lochrin Basin.

    Posted 5 years ago #
  3. wingpig
    Member

    ...or variations thereon.
    Avoid the prom at school rush hour unless you have loads of time to go at walking speed.
    Sometimes, reaching the Goldenacre path is nicer via Constitution Street, Ocean Drive and Sandpiper Drive, then along the bike path to Roseburn. Using the Water of Leith path then Inverleith Park and Craigleith Hill Avenue is a bit quicker than going all the way along the Ferry Road path. From Roseburn, the Roseburn Park path, Water of Leith then Balgreen/Broomhouse paths is quicker and easier than the clogged and narrow canal towpath. Or, head to the Innocent via St Mark's Place and Hope St Lane/Magdalenes, then through to the Meadows, then across to the canal.

    Posted 5 years ago #
  4. joebtay
    Member

    Thank you both, I like the idea of going towards water of leith etc. While I am sure it will be fine in summer, what is it like when dark? ie lit?
    Thanks, I am getting excited!

    Posted 5 years ago #
  5. chdot
    Admin

    “It’s important to start – we think Friday would be a good day – but not before you consider what you need (just a bicycle really) and the route(s) you could take.”

    https://cyclefridays.wordpress.com

    Posted 5 years ago #
  6. Hi @joebtay

    I do Mountcastle (almost porty) to South Gyle usually 3 days a week.

    My regular commute there is the main roads:

    london Road, Regent Road, princes Street, Haymarket, roseburn Park, Balgreen - Sighthill bike path

    I occasionally mix it bu going Queens Drive, Cowgate, Grassmarket, Fountainbridge, Slateford road, Balgreen, bike path

    Homeward, my usual is one of those two in reverse - I let the green lights guide me sometimes!

    Quite often though I'll return via the NEPN/Water of Leith on to Porty, or from Tollcross I'll go Meadows then innocent railway.

    If you are ok on roads, the direct city centre route is mostly fine.

    If you ever want to buddy up till you find your may then DM me.

    Posted 5 years ago #
  7. unhurt
    Member

    Is noone else going to comment on @wingpig's A+ use of string route mapping?

    Posted 5 years ago #
  8. DaveC
    Member

    Wingpigs use of string is great, and the route I would take.

    The North Edinburgh Path Network (NEPN) is beautiful!

    Traffic free,
    hidden in trees,
    with no steep climbs
    and
    sheltered from the wind for the most part.
    It is pothole free and traffic light free.

    The only detraction are the other inconsiderate users. It looks longer but is faster as you don't spend time stopping for traffic lights, dodging other vehicles and the surface is lovely!

    That is the route I take when transversing the city from Queensferry to Mussleburgh and beyond.

    Posted 5 years ago #
  9. gembo
    Member

    I was musing on the use of String rather than strava the other day. Wingpig's string is lovelyo but his map has a massive land mass off Leith that is just not there in reality

    Posted 5 years ago #
  10. "Wingpig's string is lovelyo but his map has a massive land mass off Leith that is just not there in reality"

    Perhaps its CEC's plan for NeuLeith, a car free Island paradise only accessible by a tram causeway

    Posted 5 years ago #
  11. unhurt
    Member

    Now stuck in my head:

    String

    String is a
    Very important thing
    Rope is thicker
    But string is quicker

    Spike Milligan

    Posted 5 years ago #

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