Bill, the cobbles on the aqueduct this a.m. were for some reason less slippy than the towpath proper, who'd a thunked it?
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Infrastructure
Aqueduct etiquette
(261 posts)-
Posted 8 years ago #
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Excellent etiquette by the cyclist ahead of me who struck up conversation, remarking on the loveliness of the morning, on the Slateford Aqueduct which we kept up until their turn-off around WHEC. This followed from their asking if I wanted to pass just prior to the aqueduct as I abruptly caught up with them as they slowed behind another cyclist. I politely declined, explaining that I was impressed by their ease of speed if unobstructed. It was their first cycle commute of the year as it turned out. We discussed towpath issues, workplaces, wildlife spots and the frustration of false-summits when climbing hills.
Posted 8 years ago # -
Poor etiquette this morning by young competent cyclist behind me . I had stopped at a parapet about one third of the way in, to let a convoy coming west pass by me. This convoy was consisting of two tourists pushing and regular Heriot watt bound type cycling behind. The tourist convoy was taking a while and I looked behind me to see the Young competent cyclist powering on and then overtaking me. Thanks they said. I replied - I wasn't stopping for you. Competent cyclist then ploughed into the convoy, overtaking on the canal side centimetres from the water's edge.
The folly of youth, manners. Raised eyebrows etc.
Posted 8 years ago # -
@gembo that is particularly poor aqueduct etiquette.
Posted 8 years ago # -
As I have mentioned, I am scared of heights and not great with water, so the Slateford Aqueduct requires much concentration on the ground in front of me to cross. I was 2/3 of the way across it the other week when 2 other cyclists came towards me pedalling. Not really a problem til I realised the front bike had a child trailer attached with a small child in it. I tucked myself in as tight to the railings as possible to let them past, but no, they tried to demand that I go out and round. That will be a negative, Captain, you are a very wide load so NO. There was much tutting and sighing as they passed me.
People, if you're reading here, the sensible thing to have done would have been to wait until the clearly visible obstacle (me!) was off the aqueduct before crossing. I was very nearly there. It also might have been sensible to send the non-trailer bike ahead to then keep the path clear for you. Myself, I'd have taken the child out too and walked the bike-trailer combo over, just in case, but that's your own call.
Posted 7 years ago # -
@Trixie
Them's the rules. One would have to be very confident to cycle across with a child in tow.
Posted 7 years ago # -
They gave the impression of riding there regularly. Did not have the flustered look of someone negotiating it for the first time.
Posted 7 years ago # -
It was the busiest evening that I can remember on Slateford Aqueduct so far this year; slow going, but I'm pleased to say that everyone was well behaved.
Posted 7 years ago # -
Yesterday evening at rush hour there were two jolly women with bikes and an Adventure Syndicate air about them causing chaos on the aqueduct as they were bringing a trailer along it with a greyhound in it.
As we've remarked before, it's a sad indictment of facilities for people who ride bikes with trailers that there's no practical alternative way to take a trailer along the towpath.
Posted 7 years ago # -
Had Mexican stand off tonight. He wasn't showing an sign of stopping so neither did I, until last second and he whizzed past me. Childish but enjoyable
Posted 7 years ago # -
Went out to Ratho with the kids yesterday. Was about 3/4 of the way walking across the aqueduct when a tandem piled on causing us to stop. "Oh nice", I thought, "another tandem."
And then about 10 more tandems and about 30 people all piled on, hugging the railing, i.e. the entire tandem club.
It made it really awkward for us to pass about 30 odd people. My 9 year old (with his own bike) amazingly wasn't fazed by passing canal-side with about 10 inches of towpath! Well done him. And thanks to the lady behind who shouted "you need to make more room!"
After passing the first tandem, I soon lost my jolliness and went into "deep scowl" mode.
It wasn't really their fault, but for us it was absolutely the worst possible moment for them all to come piling on.
Posted 6 years ago # -
Lorra lorra tandems
Posted 6 years ago # -
The other day Katharina waa pushing her bike over the cobbles under the bridge exiting Harrison Gdns towards Wester hailes. She seemed very concerned to warn us that the police were just round the corner but on getting through it was perhaps unsurprising to find no one there. Better though than the usual rows she used to issue but still not keen to meet her on the aqueduct itself
Posted 2 years ago # -
I was heading east onto the acqueduct this afternoon when who should be coming off but Katharina. I was in my Scottish Borders Randonneurs tangerine jersey with black and white chequered stripe and matching cap. Katharina asked me - Who are you to be trying to cycle onto the. Aqueduct ? A Polis? I said yes. Katharina muttered Jesus Christ. We parted on good terms.
Posted 10 months ago # -
I spotted her sporadically since COVID, but not on the aqueduct, fortunately... Formerly Lilac Helmet Lady is still around, but I only see her once in a blue moon. Whatever happened to Big John?
Posted 10 months ago # -
Big John has disappeared and returned before - more comebacks than Sinatra. But this time??
Various copycat wide handlebarred radio playing cyclists too.Posted 10 months ago # -
Took me about half an hour to get over tonight such was the volume of runners, cyclists and walkers heading east in a statisitcally probable blip.
Unrelated at the west exit there was a lot of water of the path and wet footprints and wet tyre tracks heading west. I can’t say for certain but it seems likely someone had been in the drink
Posted 2 weeks ago # -
Was quite busy this morning too. I see there are new Cyclists Please Dismount signs at both ends, similar messages (but different signs) have also appeared at the Scott Russell Aqueduct, where they seem completely superfluous.
I must confess to finding the signs annoying. All they do is promote conflict. I'm not clear who decided they were needed, or what the rationale was, particularly on a Core Path where there is a right of responsible access by bicycle.
Posted 2 weeks ago # -
The old signs perhaps contained an imperative? in my head the new signs are more an invitation. Never spotted them. Yet on Scott Russell which has same width as Bonnie Prince Charlie Aqueduct which has no signs except if you count the battle between Hearts and Hibs grafitti artistes.
After stopping for about twenty people coming the other way I was bracing myself for a row for not dismounting. As can sometimes happen which is annoying to me but instead I saw the splashes which remind me of first rule of the aqueduct - don’t fall in.
Posted 2 weeks ago # -
There would be less conflict without any signs. For a few people the sign seems to invite them to get aggressive, and nobody who would obey such a sign needs the message that is on it.
The only purpose of the sign is to attempt to reduce liability by Scottish Canals. It's not intended to benefit any actual users of the core path.
Posted 2 weeks ago # -
Agreed sign could say Cross with Care. As falling in assume a loss of concentration or going a bit fast. Or maybe it is a bit slippy
Posted 2 weeks ago #
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