What is my best route? I could go over Pentlands? So then I am looking for Flotty to Loanhead route?
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Infrastructure
Getting to Loanhead from Balerno
(26 posts)-
Posted 3 months ago #
-
I think this route is pretty decent:
https://cycle.travel/map/journey/685042Getting from the Glencorse Road up to Bush might require a short push and it's a bit narrow but should be less overgrown than the Google footage:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/xesLrkBHfcjpSh2VA
....but if you've just ridden through the Pentlands then I guess these kind of things are less problematic.
Posted 3 months ago # -
The alternative route is north along the A702 to the west lodge of Bush, through the estate to Gowkley Moss, through Roslin to the railway path, and follow that to Loanhead. The A702 footway is an order of magnitude less horrible than using the road.
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=7774378
It depends which bit of Loanhead you want to get to, though.
If heading for the western side, in a Nissan garage/Nivensknowe cattery/Straiton stylee, the A701 via Easter Bush and Seafield Road, per cb's map, is a better option and is exactly the route I use.If you're not going via the Pentlands and instead working your way along Lanark Road/Gillespie Road/Colinton/Redford Road/Fairmilehead, then after Hillend take Old Pentland Road to get to the Asda, Straiton etc.
Posted 3 months ago # -
Thanks @Cb and@arellecat
Weather will dictate i might have to inner ring it fo shure Old Pentland Rd might hae to feature.
Is Eldin Industrial estate i believe
Posted 3 months ago # -
Google saying Stay on Old ring Road to Burdiehouse and go under Bypass. Sharp left before IKEA
The infra is sub optimal,
Posted 3 months ago # -
*Quote Of The Day*
“The infra is sub optimal“
Posted 3 months ago # -
Once you get along towards Kaimes, I’ve plotted the route we’d normally take with the kids over here.
Footpath into the new estate, meander through and footpath past the school, then join the shared pavement section that leads to Old Burdiehouse Rd. We then peel off left where it opens up to cross Burdiehouse Rd and use the shared pavement at the other side, before it unceremoniously ends and join the wee climb up towards McDonalds. From there the industrial estate can be accessed via another new estate going left at the McDonalds roundabout (which apparently has a shared pavement which I hadn’t spotted before).
Posted 3 months ago # -
I'm very not sure that that is a formal shared use pavement on Edgefield Link. I'm fairly sure you could cycle along it with no actual problem, though.
Posted 3 months ago # -
Posted 3 months ago # -
This looks marginally better ta
Posted 3 months ago # -
The non-carriageway infra between point 7 and point 9 is rubbish, but it's marginally better than using the road. The crossings of Lang Loan and the bypass on-slip are squeaky bum time at rush hour. The bypass off-slip is signalised and goes green at the same time as the southbound A701 traffic.
Once at point 10 there is no need to use the footway because Edgefield Relief Road is plenty quiet.
Posted 3 months ago # -
That devil though needed is not inspiring me
Posted 3 months ago # -
Everyone should consider writing to their political representatives (councillors and MSPs) to ask why absolutely nothing has been done to improve safety for cyclists at Straiton roundabout in the 7.5 years since it was on Sustrans 20 Danger Junctions list.
Posted 3 months ago # -
Worth mentioning a lot of the time we avoid the hairier eastern side of the roundabout crossings by continuing down Old Burdiehouse Rd to its end, where a foopath links to shared pavement with two crossings rather than three and largely better visibility for both. From there shared pavement continues south, though you’d be forgiven not knowing of its existence due to 4ft high vegetation and bush tunnel - gives up at bus stop but two stage crossing from there to retail park. If destination is to the south rather than east (e.g. IKEA / Costco / Screwfix) that’s our preference but often we’re after the Leisure Centre instead.
Posted 3 months ago # -
I noticed recently that Stewarts brewery in Loanhead was doing what looked like quite a decent brunch.
But could not face cycling there. Definitely on my list of 'worst place to get to' in Edinburgh.
Posted 3 months ago # -
“on my list of ‘worst place to get to' in Edinburgh”
Yes but
It’s not in Edinburgh.
It is of course on ‘everyone’s’* list of “cross border” things to be fixed.
* = Sustrans, SEStran, CEC, MC, TS (or not…)
Posted 3 months ago # -
"Everyone's list of cross-border things that someone else needs to fix."
Posted 3 months ago # -
But could not face cycling there.
Bike + X62 bus is almost the best option, for small values of 'bikes'.
It makes you realise though, just how much other people put up with just to cycle to places. If it's not some unsignalised on-slip it's a busy roundabout on a hill or a convoluted set of ped crossings or two miles along a
60mphnow 40mph unlit road or a dumbbell junction or a hilly, twisty minor road with cratered tarmac. Midlothian has all of those within about one square mile.Posted 3 months ago # -
We've tended to default to car club of late, but mini-SRD and i did a 'pre-university' trip to Ikea by bus in August. Was okay, just SLOW.
Posted 3 months ago # -
"Everyone's list of cross-border things that someone else needs to fix."
That’s true!
Suppose ‘everyone’ is still waiting for the decision on Sheriffhall…(?)
Posted 3 months ago # -
In case anyone thought I was making it up…
“
SESTRAN STRATEGIC NETWORK
Cross boundary active travel routes, connecting people and places
This project has been funded by the Scottish Government and delivered through Sustrans' Strategic Partnerships programme in partnership with SEStran to plan future walking and cycling networks.
“
https://sestran.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/SEStran-Strategic-Network-Final-Publication.pdf
At least ARUP got something out of it.
Posted 3 months ago # -
CEC is no stranger to grand/‘aspirational’ reports
“
The city has a network of safe and attractive active travel routes,and an integrated world-class sustainable public transport system, which is affordable for everyone.
• Most citizens find they no longer need a car, and a network of car clubs and electric vehicle charging hubs is available to support those who do.
• The city centre is re-imagined as a place for people walking, cycling and wheeling, with excellent public transport accessibility and with the needs of the most vulnerable fully catered for.
• Edinburgh is a hub for net zero innovation,with a new breed of sustainable local businesses creating local jobs and skills development opportunities.
“
https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/downloads/file/30785/2030-climate-strategy-executive-summary
Posted 3 months ago # -
A bit late to this, but Loanhead native here. Loanhead is a surprisingly difficult place to ride directly to unless you like busy roads, and the infrastructure at Straiton is potentially a foretaste of what Sheriffhall may become
@gembo if you don’t mind roads, which having ridden with you seems to be the case, this is what I used to do when we lived at the Gyle. Lothianburn and Biggar Rd is preferential to the Straiton Slips IMO. Sightlines are better and the gradient is more with you :
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/49260090?privacy_code=2RXuye96Wz3VSystqPEdF6GbgmyV4ARP
Posted 3 months ago # -
So Fairmilehead and Old Pentland better then take my chances getting to other side of Loanhead? It wont be a rush hour but i know that junction is a bar steward as son used to live Gilmerton Heights and we would go round the bypass that way
Posted 3 months ago # -
Old Pentland Road is fine, as it's not that busy. The tarmac on the descent and first couple of corners is bumpy though. Straight over the crossroads at the new Aldi and use Paradykes St/Gaynor Ave/Mayburn Ave to cut through to the main road, then right/left onto Edgefield Road and Bob's your uncle.
Posted 3 months ago # -
Route coming together thanks to all contributors. I expect the lad i am hoping to see wont be there after all this but wont stop me going
Posted 3 months ago #
Reply
You must log in to post.
posts
