Strikes me it's a very straight road, so though maybe not much traffic (due to A1 nearby), drivers will be going fast.
Anyone done it? Did you stay on the road or use the shared footpath?
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Questions/Support/Help
Cycling the A199 out to Dunbar
(13 posts)- Started 11 years ago by crowriver
- Latest reply from ruggtomcat
- This topic is
resolved - poll: Have you cycled the A199?Yeah, no problem. : (8 votes)
67 %Only when I couldn't avoid it. : (0 votes)
Wouldn't touch it with a bargepole. : (1 votes)
8 %Yes. Some bits are good, others best avoided. : (2 votes)
17 %Yes. Used the shared path/cycle lanes all the way. : (0 votes)
Yes. Used the shared path/cycle lanes as required. : (1 votes)
8 %
-
Posted 11 years ago #
-
Went from tyneinghame turn to Haddington on A199 one time we were doing Traprairn Law route. It was less pleasant than any other road we cycled on in east Lothian but for the short distance not terrible. Cars were going fast.
Posted 11 years ago # -
It's the quickest way to get to the more interesting bits of East Lothian. A bit boring though.
Posted 11 years ago # -
I've probably cycled bits of it at various times, I can't remember. I'd go the coast road for preference.
Posted 11 years ago # -
What Tom said above - it's a quick ride but boring. Use it to get to somewhere more interesting :)
Despite the fast moving traffic I've never felt unsafe or had an incident on it because of the width. It's worth noting that the cycle path always disappears when you need it most - at junctions etc.
Posted 11 years ago # -
It has (painted) lanes for most of the length I think.
Posted 11 years ago # -
I've never felt unsafe on the A199, although I have gesticulated at one driver who sounded his horn at me for no apparent reason on the descent from Tranent one night.
It's a decent training road in that it's a good gradient for finding out how far you can big ring it out of Musselburgh to Tranent; then it's one of the few long flattish roads near Edinburgh that you can get your head down and ride on without too much concern.
However, if you are just out for a pootle, there are other more attractive alternatives.
Posted 11 years ago # -
All sounds good so far. Not thinking about pootling, there are much nicer, quieter back roads for that. Getting to and from Dunbar as quick as, more like.
Posted 11 years ago # -
"Getting to and from Dunbar as quick as"
EastCoast, CrossCountry and now ScotRail...
Posted 11 years ago # -
We cycle out to Haddington twice a year from Edinburgh. We take the coast to Longniddry then the old railline to Haddington. On the way back I leave them and head off on the A199 to Edinburgh Waverley around 9pm. Its quiet and plenty wide enough. Not nice in a headwind though, and quite exposed to wind in parts. Can't say I've cycled the section east from Haddington.
Posted 11 years ago # -
EastCoast, CrossCountry and now ScotRail...
:-)
@DaveC, I've done the section from Haddington to Tranent a few times. Nice surface, good wide cycle lanes. Haven't gone further east than Haddington on the A199, though I've crossed it occasionally.
Posted 11 years ago # -
Yep - I would agree with the above. The bit east of Haddington is much less pleasant (no cycle lanes), especially on Sunday with the East Forture market.
I have also used the bit between Dunbar and Tyninghame - not nice in a westerley (if you are going west). This is reasonably wide but the traffic is fast and again no on road cycle lanes (though I think you can cycle on the pavement here?).
Posted 11 years ago # -
I only use it after East Linton, but it seemed ok, there is a curbed lane (amirs pavement) for some of it and cycle cut throughs for the junctions. Actually looks a bit joined up and as you get into Dunbar you get the only actual regulation dont-overtake-cyclists-at-islands road markings that Dave has pointed out before.
Posted 11 years ago #
Reply
You must log in to post.
posts
