CityCyclingEdinburgh was launched on the 27th of October 2009 as "an experiment".
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Have been invited to spend a weekend camping nr Peebles in July. Looking at the distance/time on Cyclestreets suggests it is do-able (2.5-3.5 hours), but some climbing and a busy road. Would we be completely nuts to try and do this with 3 yr old in bike seat and camping kit in a trailer?
We're not fitness fanatics, but cycle between 8-16 miles most days.
It's not bad, I've ridden that way several times. The worst of the danger is getting out to the bypass and on into Penicuik, after that (on the actual open road) it's very fine - more or less downhill all the way in fact.
I reckon with a child and trailer, you'll be considerably safer along the dodgy section than otherwise, so don't worry about that (people are hardly likely to drive closer to you because you have an infant, after all).
There are plenty of alternatives to Straiton - Penicuik if you check the map (although they'll probably be hillier).
I don't actually like the section of road between the Leadburn junction and Peebles - and I cycle on the roads a lot. Seems the traffic is just a bot too fast and the bit south of Eddleston has some bends with poor sight-lines.
But would you rather be in the railing forest of death that is Penicuik? :-)
The only other option that springs to mind is to go via the wee road to Innerleithen (from the A7). But firstly, you'd have to ride up the A7, which is the same as the road to Peebles, and then you'd have to deal with all the fast movers on the winding bends - you really do get bad sightlines there!
Hmmm....if only the Borders railway was running....
We're thinking of doing a trial run part way soon to see what we think. The 'quiet' route on Cyclestreets does avoid the Penicuik section (but has a lot of 'unknown paths') . At the moment I am actually more worried about punctures etc (sad, but true).
Thanks both for the advice!
To give you an idea of distance, while it's only 18 miles from the bypass to Peebles, you could do it on the quieter A701 for 26 miles, or by the A7 / B707 via Innerleithen in 34 miles.
To be honest, by the time you get onto the main road at Leadburn, you've only got 8 miles to get to Peebles, which should be under an hour even with kids and kit in tow.
The B709 road to Innerleithen can be reached by back roads (national cycle route I think), although it's a pretty twisty, turny route.
For a different longer option you could also consider going through Penicuik and turning off to the right (at the top of the steep hill) on to the Auchencorth Moss moor road (unclassified). This will take you to West Linton from where you can cut south to Romano Bridge (another unclassified road) then take the B7059 south to the A72. A72 takes you into Peebles.
The A72 is a fair bit quieter than the A703.
Haven't measured but I'd guess that this is a little shorter than the B709 to Innerleithen.
CB your route sounds nice. will check it out. And also consult with our (round the world cyclist) hosts, who may have some clever ideas of their own.
Warning: the Auchencorth Moor road can become horrendously busy if the following condiitons are met.
1. A702 closed for resurfacing work.
2. A703 closed due to fatal late night crash involving a car destroying the Leadburn Inn.
3. Police, in desperation, divert ALL traffic to and from Edinburgh down an unclassified road.
The above events are unlikely, but I speak from experience.
I think we are going to try to do this cycle -- still haven't decided our route, but have been weighing up pros and cons.
BUT, if we do go, we need to take at least sleeping mats, and preferably a tent (and all of ours are currently on different continents).
So, I was wondering if there were any kind people out there who could lend us some so that we don't have to acquire new ones in an age of (household) fiscal austerity?
Yeah I think I could lend you some mats (but they're not the best) and possibly even a tent.
recombodna - that would be fab - want to pm me and let me know a good time we could drop by? we're hoping to leave early saturday, and will probably need to have a practice run at packing the trailer...
Wonder how the weather is in Peebles...
a 30 mile cycle wouldn't be my choice today, not with kids en tow.
"a 30 mile cycle wouldn't be my choice today, not with kids en tow."
The ride down yesterday was worse! Unbelievable wind all in the face. Left about 7.45. Popped a gear cable on the A703 probably around 8.30, decided to divert to Roslin (never been there). Had breakfast at the bottom of the cemetery = nice sheltered sunny spot, felt better. Checked spokes midlothian map to see of there was a bike shop in Penicuik and rang them up. They said they could, so we went on, and got it fixed, and replaced our breakfast supplies in the Tesco across the street.
On the spokes map it is called 'Freewheelin' but it now goes by Motivation. They were celebrating their 25th anniversary, and couldn't have been nicer or more helpful. So 'the big fool said to push on' (prize to first identifier of source not via wikipedia). Actually it was the three year old who said she wanted to see our friends and not go home, so we went on.
Got into Peebles by 12.30 or 1ish I think, then on to Hope Bothy, which is just by Glentress/Cardrona in time for lunch.
Didn't realise all the other people there were founder members of Spokes...but they had all driven (this time).
Cycle back today didn't start till afternoon. Discovered I had left my raincoat in Edinburgh, but was loaned one, and even better got a lift back for most of the camping gear. Cycle back was pretty good -- wind had moved WSW from S -- until we started hitting the big rain showers. First one was en route to Leadburn, where we stopped for lunch. Second on the way down to Auchendinny, which was much much worse. Small person fell asleep at the end of this - exhausted - only to wake up when the third hit. The second was by far the worst. Reminded me of hurricanes -- wind blowing rain sideways - and the flooding when we hit Edin was pretty bad.
But altogether pretty decent cycling. Cars were okay on Saturday, a bit worse Sunday. Cyclists all very friendly. Unfortunately small person shows signs of travel sickness when in trailer so spent most of the trip her bike seat getting rained on...but has cheered up considerably upon being allowed the sweeties that the guys in the Penicuik cycle shop gave her.
@SRD
WELL DONE!!
I'm still on my £3 bus tour.
Currently top deck front 44 Musselburgh.
Very hot.
Wow, good going. Glad you all enjoyed it despite the weather!
SRD 'the big fool said to push on' - 'Knee Deep in the Big Muddy' - Dick Gaughan does the version I know though not sure if it's his song?
Well done for getting back to town - that's a big outing and glad it went well for you. Irene and I were out on tandem today and met up with chdot at Portobello's Beach House by co-incidence.
We hid in a bus shelter in Duddingston with bike when 'hurricane' hit.
Laidback - Right song. Original by Pete Seeger. Not one of my favourites of his oeuvre, but it seemed appropriate.
Marmalade or Strawberry Jam?
Blackcurrant.
One of our other forumers (beginning with D) was on a 400 mile Audax this weekend...
We expect a report once he gets home.
Haven't made any blackcurrant yet. Probably will do so in Canada - will try to remember to repatriate a jar.
@SRD - yeah, that tent I had offered you? would have been flat as a pancake in half that wind...
Recombodna's tent held up fine - once someone showed us how to put it up, and we supplemented the 4 tent pegs with 6 BIG nails hammered into the turf.
yes we went and bought some storm pegs for the main guy lines then some more for the tent anchors for our mahoosive 8 man we could have easily parked our 3 door civic in... enough space in there to install an en suite...
And here's a few pics of us in action:
Unplanned breakfast stop in Rosslyn
Trailer and bike Seat in action on the A701
And, leaving the bothy (bike hard to see but a nice pic!) 
Thanks to chdot for assistance with the images :)
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