over the bealach or round the coast by ben alder cottage?
either way, a long trudge by the light of the moon
fort bill to dalwhinnie, that's the stravaig of champions
prefer it in reverse though, exit via glen nevis
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Sport
"Ride to the Sun"
(208 posts)-
Posted 8 years ago #
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N their Advice they talk about supplies, a wee towel for the swim at the end, layers of clothing. So more audax stylee and big saddle bag?
I would swim at the end of dunwich Dynamo but that pipe out to the island at crammond is sewage?
Posted 8 years ago # -
Any recommendations for front lights "to see with" for an event like this?
Happy with my existing rear lights, Cateye TL LD600s, which should keep me noticeable from behind out in the wilds at daft o'clock overnight - but my current front light just isn't up to it.
What's good, and what should I steer clear of?Posted 8 years ago # -
I would swim at the end of dunwich Dynamo but that pipe out to the island at crammond is sewage?
Not for a number of years. It's an outflow pipe for treated waste these days. The pumping station sends the sewage to Seafield, with treated waste water going out of the discharge point (which is beyond Cramond Island).
Posted 8 years ago # -
"which is beyond Cramond Island"
You mean there is still a pipe near CI but further out, or into the Forth from Seafield.
Posted 8 years ago # -
There's a sewer from Cramond to Seafield, where the sewage is pumped for treatment. There's also a treated wastewater outflow along the line of the old sewage discharge pipe from the pumping station to the other side of the island. Accodrding to what I read, it is actually tunneled through part of the island.
Posted 8 years ago # -
@bikefan dynamo lights are the clear favourites. Most powerful battery lights would struggle to go through the night on top beam without spare batteries. I have a Cateye Volt 1200 - this is fine for seeing where you're going but you'd have to ration the use of the more powerful beams and/or take a spare. On night-rides I usually take a lightweight backup as well.
Posted 8 years ago # -
Thanks for the recommendation, amir.
In the end, I've decided to go with http://tinyurl.com/zkyvpv7 - the Magicshine Eagle M2 at 2400 lumens high and low beam for £88.00
Sunset to sunrise on that run will be 6.5hrs, and dark for 4.5hrs. According to the spec I should get 6hrs at 50%, (I know, I'll test it in plenty time!) I can't really see me needing longer after that and I can further lower the output for cycling in town.
As there will be quite a few on the run, I've also got the up-the-sleeve option of drafting folk with longer battery life on their light at the start and finish ;)Posted 8 years ago # -
Posted 7 years ago #
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Note to self: actually order front dynamo light.
Posted 7 years ago # -
Possible bonus deviation; the Ligfiets Zondag starts a few hours after this finishes. One so inclined could fill those hours with a kip on the beach and subsequently gain MegaPoints by completing both events...
http://www.edfoc.org.uk/events/event/ligfiets-zondag-2016/
PS the Zondag is a gentle, short ride to cake, but no one needs to know that.
Posted 7 years ago # -
The edfoc night ride is also the night before so why not make it a nocturnal weekend, or just don't sleep at all and ride to Carlisle on Saturday.
Posted 7 years ago # -
@Darkerside - some of us might be asked to exhibit our bikes at the Bike Curious Family event at 10am on the Sunday, like that good looking chap in the brochure.
Not sure what state he'll be that photogenic / coherent that morning - dark glasses will definitely be in order...
Posted 7 years ago # -
Has anyone got any good transport options to get to Carlisle? I phoned Virgin Trains the other week but they wouldn't pre-book bikes until a few weeks before the event date. Guess it will be pot luck if I get there before everyone one else. There's three of us looking to head down together but so far no success in persuading wifes/partners to drive!
Posted 7 years ago # -
Hm, that is a bit of a pain. Feasibility of participating in the event starts to diminish for folks hoping to go by rail...
Not sure I fancy riding that distance on a folding bike. I do own one that has a dynamo, but only 3 speed hub, narrow bars, definitely not suitable... With some Marathons slapped on, the Pashley Fold-It would probably be fine if not terribly fast. However no dynamo, so battery lights, extra battery packs, etc.
(Wishing I owned an Airnimal or maybe a Moulton...)
Posted 7 years ago # -
Hmm. On second thoughts maybe taking the wheels off and carrying the bike in a bag/wrapping in cardboard, bubble wrap as "luggage" is an option if the trains are likely to be crowded...
Posted 7 years ago # -
If you're not in a hurry you can take your bike unbooked on the train to Glasgow and then take the chuffer to Carlise via Dumfries. Very scenic train, and takes 6 bikes at a time, but very slow
The Manchester Airport train (Transpennine express) which also does the Edinburgh-Carlisle route doesn't require you to book a bike place the way Virgin does as it's just one of those flip up seat areas.
Posted 7 years ago # -
I have booked a bike space on Transpennine Express from Edinburgh direct to Carlisle for 18 June. The Apex ticket + bike space cost me £8...
I did it in the Travel Centre at Waverley with no trouble at all.
I'm not sure what the cycle booking gets me, but I'm hoping that it's a little bit of priority over those who haven't booked a space because, as Sally says, it's just a tip-up seat area.
One consideration I read is that if you have a cycle booking and an Apex ticket, but can't board your booked train because there isn't room for your bike, you can travel on a later train despite it being an Apex ticket. I will make sure that I have a printed copy of this with me on the day...
Posted 7 years ago # -
I've found that having the reservation is useful if there are people already sitting in the tip up seats as they may be reluctant to budge for a bike otherwise
Posted 7 years ago # -
Hm. Transpennine Express sounds feasible. Otherwise the slow train I guess...
Posted 7 years ago # -
You can book bike spaces online on Virgin Trains to Carlisle up to several months in advance. However, you need to use the Virgin East Coast website and there's an option to book bike spaces on the same page you pick your seat.
Posted 7 years ago # -
Good luck to everyone for tomorrow night.
The weather looks good - I'm currently charging everything up ready for it.
See you on the road - I'll be on an orange bike with a yellow h****t.
HC
Posted 7 years ago # -
I'm nearly all set now. Good luck to everyone and maybe see a few familiar faces, though the chances of spotting anyone look remote: apparently 800+ riders have registered! Maybe not all will show up, but I can foresee big queues at food stops unless the field thins out substantially...
Posted 7 years ago # -
Yes, the chippy will be rammed!
Posted 7 years ago # -
I'll be there (vestiges of cold permitting). I'll be the slow one in the orange cap and red panniers. I am expecting to start at the front and then have everyone overtake me shortly after Moffat. Say hello as you come past.
Posted 7 years ago # -
Have fun everyone! Forecast is good
Posted 7 years ago # -
Enjoy/good luck all! My shoulder is still sore enough that the physio told me not to cycle at all this week - so dropping out was the right choice. Maybe I'll have a kebab in solidarity though!
Posted 7 years ago # -
I registered but not going as had two hours sleep in forty two hours and still have the water on the knee as indeed the cure for that is bed rest.
Have a blast those that are going
Posted 7 years ago # -
Commiserations to the injured parties. Especially unhurt whose train ticket I am benefitting from: thanks again!
I've an afternoon's sightseeing in Carlisle ahead of me, then the ride. Sleep can wait until Sunday...
Posted 7 years ago # -
I have no idea why, but I'm doing this tonight.
Say hello to me as you pass me, Bianchi breeks pedalling a bianchi bike. Probably carrying a much bigger backpack than required!
Posted 7 years ago #
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