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Routing help for southbound visitors

(9 posts)
  • Started 5 years ago by unhurt
  • Latest reply from paulmilne
  • This topic is not resolved

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  1. unhurt
    Member

    I've got a couple of WarmShowers guests staying tonight - flew in from New York State a few days ago and are heading south tomorrow. Their current proposed route is over to Innerleithen and then over to the coast at Berwick upon Tweed. They had wanted to ride the coastal route, but had been told that that way lies Certain Death and that they must not do it.

    I'm not sure Innerleithen then east is any more likely to avoid close passes or other driving idiocy - indeed, if they head via Haddington to Dunbar rather than though North Berwick it might be worse. She is new to cycle touring and he is hopeful this trip won't put her off forever.

    Anyway - I said that I would, for preference, take the coast, but that I would also seek the sage advice / opinion of the members of respected local cycling discussion forum CCE.

    Posted 5 years ago #

  2. Morningsider
    Member

    They could follow the Coast and Castles NCN route. Generally pretty nice, although possibly not the most direct. Legs of steel required for the hill out of Pease Bay though.

    https://www.sustrans.org.uk/ncn/map/route/coast-and-castles-south

    Posted 5 years ago #

  3. paulmilne
    Member

    It isn't that bad along the coast. They can hug the coast to Port Seton then cut up to either join the Longniddry railway path to Haddington or cross the level crossing on the A198 near Seaton Mains and go cross country to Dunbar on 90% quiet back roads, via Aehtelstaneford / Markle Mains and East Linton.

    East Linton you pick up the shared path - including the new bit from Beltonford to West Barns - and either through or around Dunbar. As Americans they might want to stop in Dunbar, home of John Muir and all that.

    East/South from Dunbar is pretty plain sailing on quiet roads/cycle paths following NCN 76 until they get to Pease Bay, with a short but VERY steep hill going up. Heavily laden touring bikes will probably need pushed.

    After that is terra incognita for me, perhaps others can take up the story. They can be on country roads but they might be fast, through Coldingham for example, to Berwick. But no faster or more dangerous than via Innerleithen. And the coastal views can be magnificent.

    Posted 5 years ago #

  4. Greenroofer
    Member

    The NCN route from Dunbar to Eyemouth is OK, but it includes a stretch beside the cement works, the rubbish tip and the A1 which isn't exactly lovely followed by the descent/ascent from Pease Bay which is enough to put anyone off cycle touring and a long uphill drag towards Eyemouth.

    Personally, I'd say that a route via Innerleithen and bouncing along the Tweed is nicer. The country round there is lovely, the Granites are quite attractive and wild and you can visit interesting places like Kelso and Floors Castle en route.

    If she's new to cycle touring, are they planning to do this in one day? Neither route to Berwick is a trivial ride...

    Posted 5 years ago #

  5. Frenchy
    Member

    Depends a lot on exactly what route they're taking. The roads to North Berwick and Innerleithen are both among my favourites, so it's tricky to choose one. Depends on how much they like hills, I suppose.

    Never had any issues between Bonnyrigg and Innerleithen, but getting to Bonnyrigg isn't necessarily fun. I've also had relatively few issues going to North Berwick, but have been close passed more than once through the corners at Longniddry, and also in Prestonpans. I don't know the roads east of Melrose.

    Think I'd follow NCN76 if it were me. Follows the coast a bit, but is also fairly direct. Not too hilly, but goes through some lovely bits of inland East Lothian. Most drivers are on the A1, so not too busy. Goes along the A199 for a bit, but there's a shared use path if they prefer. I don't know the bit south of Dunbar.

    If you wanted to be really coorse, you could send them up Redstane Rigg.

    Posted 5 years ago #

  6. paulmilne
    Member

    @Greenroofer

    "The NCN route from Dunbar to Eyemouth is OK, but it includes a stretch beside the cement works, the rubbish tip and the A1..."

    You forgot Torness nuclear power plant. Another scenic highlight.

    You learn to look the other way when passing these.

    Posted 5 years ago #

  7. unhurt
    Member

    Hmm, thanks all. I should perhaps have added that they have e-assist so even Pease Bay should be okay. (And their packing looks pretty sensible!)

    As they're staying in Stockbridge the coastal route does mean they don't need to get across town, with associated unenjoyable uphills in traffic... Inland to Dunbar from around Port Seton is nice, but I admit I was was planning to suggest they visit Tantallon: however, a Saturday morning may not be the ideal time to take the road via Aberlady etc. John Muir birthplace was on my list of things they should do on the way, but not sure what their destination is for Saturday night. They do plan to be up and out pretty early.

    @Frenchy harsh. Redstane Rigg routing reserved for Republicans.

    Posted 5 years ago #

  8. Frenchy
    Member

    Redstane Rigg routing reserved for Republicans.

    You'd need to sabotage the battery on the bike too, so that it dies just the other side of Gifford.

    Posted 5 years ago #

  9. paulmilne
    Member

    @Unhurt, instead of Tantallon they could visit Dirleton Castle, pretty magnificent and more intact in many ways. Then they could route down through Whitekirk/Binning Woods/Knowes Farm over the ford and pick up the shared use path on the A198 to Dunbar.

    Posted 5 years ago #

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