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Bonjour, new to this.
I live right next to Balgreen primary school and have a 5 year old little boy. We both have bikes we don't ride enough, and just wondering if there's anywhere near us to go for a cycle together? I know there's the Water of Leith, but unsure if that's suitable for a little un who's likely to fall over 10 or 20 times?
Thanks for any help.
Not sure what state (or where) the Balgreen end is at the moment with all the tramworks but there's the Costorphine/Carrick Knowe ex-railway path... the last time I went down it the Balgreen end was temporarily gravelled-and-fenced but it's much better a bit further on.
After a day or so, he won't be falling over anymore! Amazing how quick they learn at this age.
I would have thought that both Saughton and Roseburn parks would be good for learning on? But do you mean 'cycle path to actually go somewhere'?
From Roseburn park, you are very close to the entrance to the North Edinburgh Path network and it is amazingly easy to cycle to Cramond or the Botanics or Ocean terminal. Those probably sound a bit far away, but I suspect they will all be do-able pretty soon - and they are mostly flat and off-road. Much depends on attitude; when she was younger, my daughter (now 5) cycled 5 miles easily, on a wee bike. She now has a much better bike, but is somewhat more reluctant to ride it <sigh>.
A lot of forumites have 5 year olds, and we've been talking about a group cycle. Maybe when it warms up, we should try a joint expedition to Cramond? Or a meet up at Saughton?
Wingpig, that map is v useful, thanks loads. I had no idea that cycle path was there, it's a 2 minute walk away and I've been living here for 4 years *rolls eyes*
SRD, group cycle sounds fab. Hopefully by then I'll be a bit fitter and won't embarrass myself quite so much (!)
Larabob - don't be embarrassed (or at least no more than the rest of us), I'd never ridden or walked any of the NEPN, despite living very near it for ages too.
My attempt to use the same map to send you a link to the start of the 'Roseburn path' failed ...maybe someone can help. It's a bit further from you, but a fabulous ride to cool places (eg Roman fort at Cramond).
It is really worth investing in a Spokes map of Edinburgh to make exploring these easy (just look for big purple lines). Available at most bike shops and by mail order.
Here's a link for stuff about cycling with kids - there are other pages, but these are Edinburgh-specific for the most part.
And a link to the 'innertube' map which is specific to the off-road networks around Edinburgh.
I use the BikeHike website (and click the OSM Cycle button) to see cycle paths in the city. The wide red routes are official "National Cycle Network" routes. The wide blue routes are other good routes, mainly off-road. Narrow dotted lines are other paths / cut throughs etc. that make life as a cyclist much more independent than "normal" road use.
Carricknowe path is a nice little stretch to Corstorphine, tram works interfere a little as they do with the WOL path going east. going west from bail green primary cut through saughton park the off road path then follows the river to gorgie road lights take you across and path goes round back of jail to allotments, Asda and WOL Visitor Centre. from there take bike chute to canal and push across viaduct, cycle towpath for kilometre then footbridge over Lanark road back onto WOL path still Tarmac for another kilometre then a bit muddy to the Easter hailers tunnel that emerges at Colinton. Quite far but a good adventure with some mild peril on the viaduct aqueduct.
Great success. 5 year old rode the 6.5 mile roundtrip to Spylaw park on the new bike. We knew she could, but she needed to want to do it, and discover that she could.
Now, can someone teach her how to shift gears?
"can someone teach her how to shift gears?"
Yes.
How is the new play equipment there?
(Presume it's been installed.)
Did you tell her about the porage factory and the snuff factory??
erm....I meant 'would anyone be able and willing to help' :)
(and they call _me_ a pedant!)
I'm at home with headcold and sinuses. Didn't sound as though play equip had changed since our last trip there (bike week).
"the porage factory and the snuff factory"
Sounds like we need a guided tour. we have discussed the post-industrial landscape with her, and the mills, and especially the lethes
"call _me_ a pedant"
OK
Well, that's what they call them on time-team (isn't it). sorry don't have time to look up now, but had been developing theory that there were different words in england/scotland. obviously got the wrong one this time.. or is is just a question of pronunciation?
Lade is the Scottish term. I think Time Team call them a word that rhymes with "leat" (not seen it written down)
"Typically, water is diverted from a river or impoundment or mill pond to a turbine or water wheel, along a channel or pipe (variously known as a flume, head race, mill race, leat, leet,[56] lade (Scots) or penstock). "
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watermill
Don't know why I had it in my head it was spelled 'lethe'. That'll show me not to check my facts :)
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