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Route advice - down south

(11 posts)
  • Started 12 years ago by amir
  • Latest reply from amir
  • This topic is resolved

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  1. amir
    Member

    I am trying to think of alternative routes back to Eskbank, both for extra "training" and for fun. I often go out east around by Musselburgh and even Tranent. Given that the Roslin Glen Road is now open again this opens up an interesting alternative. Two queries related to this:
    1) am I likely to find the bypass junction between Burdiehouse and Straiton stressful at 5.30 to 6.30pm (summer hols)? So is it better to use the cycle path around the interchange?

    2) What's the Loanhead to Roslin walkway like for cycling on 25mm tyres these days? Has it been surfaced with tarmac? Glass?

    Posted 12 years ago #

  2. kaputnik
    Moderator

    What's the Loanhead to Roslin walkway like for cycling on 25mm tyres these days?

    Fine. Yes. Not much more than anywhere else. I've taken both my 25mm shod-bikes down there, no problems. I quite like the route.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  3. Arellcat
    Moderator

    So is it better to use the cycle path around the interchange?

    There's a cycle path? *looks at Spokes map* I had no idea. I've always just used the road between Burdiehouse and Straiton/Bilston.

    As Kaputnik said, the path from Loanhead to Roslin is fine. Beautiful tarmac last time I used it. A bit of mild offroading from Loanhead Road takes you to Straiton Pond (or join at Station Road in Loanhead, I think), then whizz south to cross the viaduct, and you emerge by the Roslin Institute.

    Roslin Glen Road going north from the hairpin is a real hillclimb test. I see OCM needs to be updated since the road reopened. It would maybe make a good Strava segment! In fact, going along Polton Road/Polton Bank would make a really good training route too, and is sort of on the way to Eskbank.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  4. amir
    Member

    "There's a cycle path? *looks at Spokes map* I had no idea. "

    The signs invite you to cycle on the pavement. I am alway in doubt whether it is riskier to take a positive position on the road or to skit across the junctions on these paths.

    "It would maybe make a good Strava segment! "
    I much prefer long gradual climbs than short steep uns. Maybe if I lost a couple of kilos it would be easier.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  5. cb
    Member

    I don't think I've ever actually cycled across the Straiton junction, but I reckon Lothianburn is probably preferable. There are a number of options for heading east after Lothianburn.

    Anyone know how the under-the-bypass-old-railway offroad route to the westeast of Straiton is coming along?

    Posted 12 years ago #

  6. kaputnik
    Moderator

    @cb it's not. Was up there about 6 weeks back.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  7. PS
    Member

    The Polton Bank road is an absolute brute (in a good way), but I wouldn't fancy using it around rush hour.

    I suspect it could be used as a shortcut/rat run and it's one of those narrow steep climbs that you really could do without having a car crawling up behind you, no matter how polite or considerate the driver is.

    Haven't been up it this year as I've been waiting for a dry weekend day to do it on...

    Posted 12 years ago #

  8. Dave
    Member

    Wouldn't recommend Straiton, it's part of the reason why we didn't bother trying to move out to Penicuik.

    First you have to deal with everyone who drops into the bus lane to undertake the main traffic stream because they're only doing 50mph in the 40 zone, which is bad enough, then you need to cross two sets of left-turning traffic on the first roundabout, then drag race away from the lights under the bypass, then survive the pull uphill towards Loanhead with all the rush hour racers trying to scrape past you.

    It's not as bad heading north, just because you've got gravity on your side, but still pretty stinky.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  9. fimm
    Member

    @Arellcat Roslin Glen Road going north from the hairpin is a real hillclimb test. I see OCM needs to be updated since the road reopened. It would maybe make a good Strava segment!

    You mean this one? http://app.strava.com/segments/823919

    Posted 12 years ago #

  10. amir
    Member

    I am going to wait until better weather and/or I feel like before having an attempt at this wee diversion.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  11. amir
    Member

    Well the weather was nice this evening so I had a go. It was very pleasant too.

    The status of the path is not clear. There are no cycle path signs but there were other cycles. One jogger had a niggle at me.

    The climb out of Roslin Glen towards Rosewell is classy.

    Posted 12 years ago #

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