Decided to try and do another berrypick by bike, and this year, knowing about the NEPN, instead of going S-E by road, we went N-W off-road to Craigie's.
Armed with a cyclestreets print out and spokes maps, I took the 4 year old on the tandem, while Mr SRD took the wean in bike seat and trailer (for the kit - as will become clear later on, it all wouldn've been easier sans trailer). Got on the NEPN at Russell Rd, and had a great run out to Cramond. We did get a bit confused when we ended up in a tesco carpark, but then found the right turn. We'd never been through Barnton - quite a place! And the Almond River was lovely. But we pressed on and joined the the cycle path along the A90. then, bingo, there we were at the turnoff, and then we could see the airport, and the farm. A bit of a pull up a narrow road to the farm itself, but the cars were all very considerate. Anyone with an (inner) 4 year old will love seeing the planes.
After a good go at picking berries, lunch, and chat with an MP we rashly decided not to head back the same way, but to follow the rail line path down to Newbridge and join the canal. We actually joined the path at Kirkliston (should have got on further back), and there is a big block of concrete that narrows the access but the 4 year old and I managed to lift the trailer over it).
The run down to Newbridge was great - nice and straight!), but then it puts you off in the middle of a godforsaken intersection surrounded by car dealerships. really horrid. This is where the Spokes map was really useful. We decided to take the ramps up over the motorway, and cut through the Newbridge industrial estate, then join the canal from the B7030 (Cliftonhall road). [of course the concrete bollards on the ramps are set so as to make it nearly impossible to get the trailer through)
But we totally missed the canal - it is overhead and the signage is almost non-existent. Luckily when we hit the turn for the climbing centre we knew we'd gone wrong. Found it upon heading back (from that direction we could see a canal boat crossing over head), although the access we used had a big unfriendly bike barrier (especially if you have a sleeping baby in seat and a trailer). But we made it, got up to the canal, and had a pretty good but very muddy cycle home. Wish we'd packed more snacks and drinks though!
The best part, was when we got home, absolutely exhausted, the 4 year old got completely obsessed with washing the bike and trailer. So I gave her the big spray bottle of 'eco-friendly bike wash'. some old toothbrushes, a sponge, and a bucket of water and she was happy as a clam.
And, we brought back 2 kg of currants - now juiced and ready for jellying later on - and 2kg of strawberries, all in remarkably good shape (although in case of the strawberries that may reflect a variety designed more for transport than for good flavour.
Have offered to write up the first bit for the innertube folks. the latter half was pretty hard-going, but I would recommend the ride out to Craigie's via the NEPN and NCN 1 to anyone with kids. Very good fun.
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