I’m planning to start cycling from Tollcross out to Heriot-Watt soon - are there times when I just shouldn’t bother using the Canal? I was thinking about heading down to Haymarket and using QR8 (come on CCWEL) at peak times
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Questions/Support/Help
Commuting on the Canal - should I bother during the peak?
(20 posts)- Started 5 years ago by CycleAlex
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Posted 5 years ago #
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I still miss my canal commute. Some great and memorable moments including;
* Turning my lights off and riding home by moonlight in winter
* Non-stop dance guy
* The Speedboat Family
* The fallers-in
* Watching the seasons turn
* Fireworks from the aqueduct
* Not a vestige of a kingfisher but many sparrowhawks
* Turning on the afterburners in the Hailes in winterPosted 5 years ago # -
@CycleAlex The good thing about going in that direction in the morning is that 80-90% of the cycle traffic is going the other way, so once you are past Meggetland the canal feels quite quiet. Evening-time is the domain of dog-walkers, anglers, joggers, and is consequently a bit more involved for everyone.
* The crunch of spiked tyres on fresh frost on a silent winter morning
* 'Going dark' in convoy for the journey through Hailes on firework nightPosted 5 years ago # -
I much prefer to use the quietroute 8, the path is wide and fast. However, there are a few sets of traffic lights and a couple of them can take forever to change.
The canal has always taken me much longer, and I don't enjoy having to get off and walk across the slateford aqueduct. The path is also really narrow and busy.
Going up Cultins road from the quiet route 8 to join the canal isn't much fun either, with trucks and vans speeding up and down. You can use the sidewalk there, although around 8.50-9.00 when I'm heading to heriot watt it's quite busy. Overall I still prefer taking the quiet route 8
Posted 5 years ago # -
@snowy makes it sound like bandit country out there, which it isn't.
I'd say the big advantage of the towpath is that I can ride from Meggetland to Gogar Station Road without putting a foot down. This does wonders for my average speed: while my top speed on the road might be quicker, the average comes down quickly if you have to stop at traffic lights and junctions.
I normally head out about 7.30 and back at 17.30 and it's pretty quiet the whole way, although I understand it's busier east of Meggetland.
I tend to ride with my brain pretty much switched off (but I have been doing it for 10 years), and I wouldn't be able to switch it off at all on any road that I was sharing with motor vehicles, however 'quiet' it is supposed to be.
So it's a strong vote from me for using the towpath. Take it easy, don't ride like a loon, and you'll have a very pleasant trip commute every day.
Posted 5 years ago # -
Heh, that wasn't my intention. I agree with everything Greenroofer said :-)
Posted 5 years ago # -
I tend to meet the bandit on the aqueduct...
Posted 5 years ago # -
Thanks duders you have reminded me to charge my massive blinding light.
Obvs I cover it and use my dipped normal light if anyone coming t’other way unless they are blinding me then I discharge the photon torpedo
Posted 5 years ago # -
Top trolling, gembo
Posted 5 years ago # -
I used the towpath to commute from Bruntsfield to HW for 2 years and then for another 2 years for commuting to Livingston. When I worked at HW I would usually use it after the peak time and it was pleasant. Occasionally I had to get to HW for 9.15am I remember it was very busy with school kids and commuters. Generally if you are using it before 8am and after 6pm, it will be quiet (but who shows up at HW before 9am anyway?).
These days I switched to using roads and only use a short stretch of the towpath to get over the bypass. It's fine since I am outwith the rush time.
Try it a few times and you will see if you like it.
Posted 5 years ago # -
I am outwith
Presidente de la République ecossaise!
Posted 5 years ago # -
Towpath only busy ever east of the aqueduct, unless you count swans. Speaking of which, parents seemed to have no cygnets tonight
Posted 5 years ago # -
Thanks all! Think I'll start off with the towpath and see how it goes. If I fall in maybe I'll switch over.
@amh13 I was never sure if you could ride up Cultins Road - the bottom appears to be shared use with a worn away centre line but the rest...
Posted 5 years ago # -
The cygnets were on the far side of the lift bridge to the parents when I was passing... Oh, definitely a vote for the towpath from me.
Posted 5 years ago # -
@CycleAlex the whole path is a "core path" which means cyclists can use it too.
Usually when I ride down I just use the road, hope I don't get caught speeding. Drivers definitely don't respect the 20 limit, I've been overtaken many times whilst going at over 25
Posted 5 years ago # -
The other week I passed about 15 cyclists and pedestrians coming the other way on the aqueduct which must be a record for me (17:30ish, heading east). All happy and harmonious though.
Downside to canal is getting stuck behind one of these LQPs who insist on listening to music via speakers instead of headphones. Seems to be getting more popular?
Alternatives to Cultins Road:
- Lochside Avenue and the City Bypass underpass
- Bankhead Av, Napier Campus, cross Calder Rd by tocan or underpass then Sighthill View to canal (but this is a long way round if heading west)Posted 5 years ago # -
If you wish to avoid the busiest bit of the towpath, you could use Gilmore Pl, Polwarth Gardens, then Colinton Rd and access the towpath at Meggetland. Pretty flat up to that point. But then I don't know what cycling is like on these roads when it's busy.
Towpath definitely worth avoiding on warm, sunny days because it is hoaching.
@IWARTS from citizenship to presidency in a couple of days? Crickey!
Posted 5 years ago # -
Not quite ‘commuting’!
Posted 5 years ago # -
If you wish to avoid the busiest bit of the towpath, you could use Gilmore Pl, Polwarth Gardens, then Colinton Rd and access the towpath at Meggetland. Pretty flat up to that point. But then I don't know what cycling is like on these roads when it's busy.
On-site report: Gilmore Place to Meggetland is not unpleasant to cycle during rush hour, not too busy and most of the roads are wide. Not flat though, there's a climb up Granville Place and a corresponding run down Polwarth Gardens after.
I'd rejoin the canal at Ashley Terrace rather than Meggetland.
Posted 5 years ago # -
I've since discovered that one of the dangers (to my wallet) of using QR8 instead of the canal is Decathlon. Yep, definitely needed that new jacket...
Posted 5 years ago #
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