CityCyclingEdinburgh was launched on the 27th of October 2009 as "an experiment".
IT’S TRUE!
CCE is 15years old!
Well done to ALL posters
It soon became useful and entertaining. There are regular posters, people who add useful info occasionally and plenty more who drop by to watch. That's fine. If you want to add news/comments it's easy to register and become a member.
RULES No personal insults. No swearing.
"Is it just me or is the Scottish Audax calendar particularly thin this year? No Snow Roads for example."
This has reminded me: I have unfinished business with the Snow Roads, and I'd like to try and ride it this summer as a Perm. Would there be any interest from CCE Audaxers in joining me? The date I have in mind is Saturday 15th June.
My friend* has pointed out that the early bird ballot entry opens today. My friend* has also informed me that they have entered the ballot.
@Greenroofer and anyone else considering entering, are your "friends" aware of this?
*My friend has also talked me into entering the ballot so I'll know in a few weeks if I have to spend the next 2 years building up my distances.
Bravo. Fortune favours the brave :-)
Nice one @acsimpson
I don't have to decide until 2021 :) Apparently it's going to Dunfermline this time
@acsimpson Apparently it's going to Dunfermline this time
Just the 35 round trip commutes then...
Yes, the irony of riding my commute in the middle of a 1500km ride isn't lost on me.
Gracemount won't be a control this time, just to clarify?
Not atm Frenchy
My 'friend' had checked to make sure that he has been a member of Audax UK since before the deadline so has a guaranteed place, he thinks.
He also needs to get a few miles in before 30 September to convince himself that he's got what it takes...
Oh yes...
A work colleague and a couple of friends have posted pictures of their PBP ride. It's noteworthy because their three bikes are almost exactly identical to my long-distance bike.
This is depressing for two reasons: firstly because I thought my bike was a bit special and it's now clear it's not and secondly because it's one less reason for me (or my 'friend') to make our LEL entry when the opportunity arises, as it seems that I already have the perfect bike for it.
If either of your friends* want to join in with some like minded Edinburghers spending the next 2 years fretting about whether they have trained enough, you could connect with the folk on Cramond & Cammo Cycling Crew who have entered with a team name & everything.
My Friends and I (yes there are actually 3 of us) used another team name. The official advice is don't make a team too large as it's an all or no-one setup with the team names.
"spending the next 2 years fretting".
That sounds like exactly what I'm going to be doing now that I have "won" a place. I'm not convinced it feels like winning yet though.
At least there's plenty time for the weather to improve.
Applied to volunteer at any of the northern controls (Alston, Brampton, Eskdalemuir, Innerleithen, Dunfermline) but secretly hoping for Eskdalemuir. Passed through it so often on Audax duties I've always fancied an extended period there!
Volunteered at Gracemount in 2017. I was only planning to spend a few hours helping to get it set up but enjoyed it and spent most of the weekend up there. I'll probably put my name down for it again in 2021 too
There was talk of all volunteers getting guaranteed entry (but not free) for 2021, not heard anything more on that but don't think I'd be able to put the time in for 2021 (2025 maybe though)
Try Cycle, The guaranteed entry for previous Volunteers opens in early 2021 I think, although with the rest of the main entry.
This round of entry was a ballot for 500 early entry place. I expect they use it to raise advance funds.
I'll leave this here...
"I’ve had a few emails this week asking whether LEL2022 is taking place.
I am delighted to confirm that LEL2022 starts on Sunday 7 August 2022, at 5am from Guildhall, central London, and 7am from Debden. We’ll be sending an email to our mailing lists to confirm over the next few days.
Entries open Friday 7 Jan 2022.
See you in London!"
Anyone able to give the organisers some route advice for the the Forth Road Bridge...
https://londonedinburghlondon.com/the-forth-bus-and-cycle-bridge
I have commented on their facebook post and was going to email them. Then I started thinking about what advice I would give and I'm struggling to think of options for a good route on and off the bridge in this situation. What I would ride myself or in a small group doesn't necessarily reflect what is ideal for c.1000 riders a day coming over the bridge and many seeing it for the first time.
I assume that they are coming out the side of the A90 and then through Dalmeny. They wont be to follow the NCN 1 route from Dalmeny as the gate means it isn't a route for many people and has a high risk for the rest. I am assuming that they are therefore using Station Road.
Heading south (to Moffat) I don't know if they are coming back into Edinburgh and then picking up something like the RTTS route or sticking West of the Pentlands and coming in through Woolfords and some of the delightful road to the south of the hills (my preferred option).
The NCN1 route is currently no an option. The building work at the old hotel has diverted it so that it even narrower than usual. The other obvious route from Edinburgh (and the one I would take myself) would be the end of the A8000. However this involves turning right at the Tesco roundabout and then turning right off the main road so I understand why they would not choose that. The only other viable option is the ramp onto the service road that they have used.
Heading south the options are pretty similar, although if you are on the western path they are even less as both the A8000 and NCN1 routes require you to either ride down and round the service road or go the wrong way up the slip road (on the pavement).
Although neither route is ideal and probably wouldn't be what you would choose as the most direct or quickest route where the organisers are enforcing a mandatory route I think they have made the same choice I would have done.
Last time the route went along the Roslin cycle path. Must have been interesting for the locals
@amir - IIRC there were some grumbles last time about the route immediately to / from the Edinburgh control at Gracemount. It also took in Lasswade Village and the Hillhead Climb on the return leg too I think, which I wouldn't personally want to send a mass of riders down at once. Although having organised precisely 2 Audax events I'd never claim to be an expert. I REALLY don't get the inclusion of Dunfermline as the "Edinburgh" end though, can't help feel it'll just give them a lot of work.
To answer the exam question set by the thread title though: I'm down to help (either mechanically or adminstratively) at any of the northern controls, with a preference for Eskdalemuir.
"It also took in Lasswade Village and the Hillhead Climb on the return leg too I think, which I wouldn't personally want to send a mass of riders down at once"
Riders are fairly well spread out by the time they get to Edinburgh. Or at least they were at the time I arrived last time.
I do remember the 'bright lights' of Edinburgh being a bit of a shock to the system after nearly 2 days of rural views/roads.
I hit the Roslin path soon after dusk and whilst enjoying the smooth path it was a little disconcerting not to be following roads, but diving under them. (In hindsight I should have reconnoitred this part).
Heading out the next morning, it was a bit fiddly getting to the familiar roads of the granites, with my first visit to Lasswade and Hillhead, but I'm not sure what other options exist.
I also don't understand making the turn at Dunfermline this time round unless they can't get an Edinburgh School which would be odd. I found it hard enough knowing I had done an extra 5 miles on day 1 due to a navigation error.
My suspicion is that they'll go Moffat, Broughton, Carnwath, Kirknewton,then Newbridge or Winchburgh, FRB on the Northbound leg. Any route coming up East of Hillend will have a right faff to get West enough for the FRB, and using the A90 path both ways is a recipe for disaster.
On the return leg, I wonder if they'll route along Queensferry High Street so you get the decent views of the Forth Bridge. Either that or take the Railway path from Coop's car park...
‘ My suspicion is that they'll go Moffat, Broughton, Carnwath, Kirknewton,then Newbridge or Winchburgh, FRB on the Northbound leg. Any route coming up East of Hillend will have a right faff to get West enough for the FRB, and using the A90 path both ways is a recipe for disaster.’
I thought that would be what is happening also (the Newbridge option) but the recent post from the organisers about how to use the bridge on ramps doesn’t make sense in that context - if coming in via the B800, the route would just continue along Ferry Muir Rd before turning off to pass the bridge admin building.
Regarding continuation to Dunfermline - there was a post a few years ago on YACF to say that this was to take it above 1500km, which would secure extra time/lower average speed, not sure that makes sense as standard BRM speed is 12km/h between 1300-1800km.
Quick shout out if anyone is up for volunteering at this year's LEL, in early August. They are looking for more helpers, even if just for a day.
https://londonedinburghlondon.com/volunteer
I've been assigned to Innerleithen and look forward to giving those riding a cheery boost on their route South.
Other controls looking for volunteers include Moffat, Dunfermline & Eskdalemuir.
Thanks for the heads up HankChief. I'd be interested in volunteering. Have you volunteered before and do you know how 'involved' it is? What do you need to do?
I haven't volunteered before (but some on here have), however I rode it in 2017 and was extremely appreciative of the efforts of the volunteers at each of the controls who couldn't do enough to help me at all times of day & night.
They say it can be more demanding than cycling it, but I guess it is all amount how much you put into it and how stretched the volunteers are.
On the form in the link above, you can specify which days you can do and which location you'd like to be at. There is a section if you have specific preference for cleaning or mechanical support but I expect whatever you say, it'll be a bit of everything from checking in/out, retrieving bag drops, organising sleeping arrangements, clearing tables to just about anything that would help the weary riders.
I've said I'll do anything and will be at Innerleithen for Monday & Tuesday which should allow me to help with set up and see most of the riders through.
The route has been announced...
https://londonedinburghlondon.com/route
Anyone fancy setting up a time lapse camera to see how they negotiate the Picardy Place gyratory...
Will it be open??
In case any riders unfamiliar with south Edinburgh are reading:
Just go straight on up Kirk Brae, rather than Liberton Brae.
Reminder
"In 2021 our route will travel north of Edinburgh and cross the old Forth road bridge to Dunfermline. The bridge is almost traffic free now and is a joy to cycle. After Dunfermline the route passes back over the bridge for a second view of the iconic Forth rail bridge."
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