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.
Then again there's that bridge opened in 1964 that is about to be 'replaced' because there is a possibility that it can't be repaired.
I remember reading something from the 70s saying that the main cable couldn't be replaced because of the way the bridge had been constructed - notably the the way the cables were anchored at each end.
It's possible to consider Bouch 'unlucky' as the Tay Bridge fell over when a gale pressed on a train crossing it.
That and it was badly designed, badly built and even more badly maintained... But you're right, if it had collapsed without the significant loss of life, it would probably have been a case of "stick the missing bit back on", bolt on a few reinforcing bits of iron and carry on with operations and consider it a lesson to be learned in the next bridge.
After just re-reading the Lighthouse Stevensons, demonstrates your point about the lack of formal education of many contemporary engineers. Robert S was more fortunate in his assumptions than Thomas B. Of course most people don't remember the hundreds of bridges Bouch built that are still standing. The spectacular (if a bit more diminutive) Bilston Viaduct in our own back yard.
Even in the late 20th C. with hindsight and computers
And classic case of the Hyatt Regency Skywalk collapse.
"The spectacular (if a bit more diminutive) Bilston Viaduct in our own back yard."
Hadn't realised that was one of his.
Absolutely a 'MUST visit' - now a cycle route which is not (yet) adequately connected to Edinburgh.
"Work started on building the Forth Bridge in 1883 and was officially completed in 1890."
It would take them twice as long to build that bridge these days......and it come in over budget.
"It would take them twice as long to build that bridge these days"
But fewer people would die.
now a cycle route which is not (yet) adequately connected to Edinburgh.
Yeah I had quite a bit of trouble finding a way on to it, and then had to navigate around all the dog t*rds. Looks like some good exploration opportunity around Burghlee Bing also, but wasn't adequately prepared for it so just made a mental note to return some time.
'But fewer people would die.'
Fair point. They reckon 63 people died during the seven year construction period. Mostly from falls from height. Quite a tally!!
Having recently finished reading a Telford biography it's fairly clear that, with a few exceptions, engineering projects have always run over time and budget.
"Looks like some good exploration opportunity around Burghlee Bing"
That used to be necessary when the bridge was completely closed for renovation (199?).
That doesn't surprise me. What were the exceptions?
I used the cyclepath that goes over Bilston Viaduct last autumn as a means of getting to Roslin Glen without going along the 701. It was okay, but like you say lots of dog walkers and the occasional dog egg (and horse for that matter). A lot of leaf litter too, which soon caused a racket under my mudguards... Probably best left til the summer.
I didn't realise the viaduct was worth a look. Will have to stop next time.
The Forth Bridge is massively over-engineered, probably as a direct result of the Tay Bridge. I really wouldn't fancy a train ride on a suspension bridge over a breezy Forth though.
@chdot, thanks for the map, I know where im going today :)
And, as if by magic, the Scotsman has this on its website today:
Engineer reveals plan to strengthen Forth bridge for £200m
(They mean the road bridge).
RTC - when you get to the "junction" just before the viaduct (when approaching from LoanHead), make sure youbreak off right and have a wee explore around the old sidings.
If you've got a few hours time and don't mind a bit of mud, would recommend pushing on to Penicuik then coming back the cycle track through Dalkeith to Whitecraig - you can then either head back from there or press on to Musselburgh. Route 73, signed from here. Sign on lampost at right, head left down the hill. Can't get lost when you're on it, take the right fork when you get into Dalkeith (left will take you out at Sherrifhall Roundabout)
It's tarmac surface from Rosewell all the way pretty much. Nice vistas, a few nice viaducts and ruined old stations.
Forth bridge
The Scotsman / EEN journalists seem to have no appreciation of heritage. There's one Forth Bridge and one Forth Road Bridge. One has been there for so long it doesn't need to qualify what sort of vehicles cross it.
Thank you! I think im gonna pop by the bike station and get a complete set of spokes maps :)
what a lovely ride. I agree with chdot its a wonderfull viaduct but Im afraid it was not built by Bouch, at least not according to the plaque beside it. He built the viaduct that was there beforehand that had to be taken down due to ground movements from the mining. The plaque also mentions the infamous bridge of Tay.
he built the viaduct that was there beforehand that had to be taken down due to ground movements from the mining.
Ahhhhh. Thanks for correction, you are indeed right - I must get with the times! 1892 much too late for Bouch. It does at least "look" like one of his girder / latticework contraptions.
If you ended up going down the Penicuik railway path, he did at least design the bowstring girder bridge at Auchendinny, it's visually appealing but not much to note from an engineering point of view.
I kinda did the opposite of what you suggested, left from Porty and followed the NCN 1 & 73 until I hit Rosewell then across the gorge (closed to cars, massive subsidence, pretty fun on a bike too.) to Rosslyn and then on to the viaduct (its seemed easier for me to find it that way). Quick sandwich and home via TBC. Quite proud of my figures today, all the zone 2 discipline is paying off.
I always feel quite sorry for the designers of the Forth Road Bridge, no matter how spectacular and well designed it was, even if they'd painted it pink and added neon lights and lace trimmings it was always going to be the bridge next to the Forth (Rail) Bridge, bit of a shame for them really.
"I always feel quite sorry for the designers of the Forth Road Bridge"
Does that include the ones who designed the non-replaceable cable system?
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