CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Commuting

The "I had a lovely ride today, thankyou" thread

(2685 posts)

  1. unhurt
    Member

    "Red sky at night, Iwrats no' quite right"?

    Posted 6 years ago #
  2. chdot
    Admin

    Sky really was that colour, briefly.

    Posted 6 years ago #
  3. Greenroofer
    Member

    Micro-Greenroofer and I caught the train from EDB to ARM(adale) this morning. After some business with ticket machines and the very slooooow lift to Platform 10, we made it onto the train just as it was leaving. We rode back along NCN75 to Almondell and then along the canal. We both had fun. Micro-Greenroofer achieved his goal of doing more than 25 miles and tried out the new play park in Livingston (it's rather good). I pootled along behind him reminiscing about the fun that I'd had on the same paths a few years earlier with Mini-Greenroofer, Mr SRD and Mini-SRD. I was a bit underdressed and have only just about now warmed up again.

    This really is a great route if you want a 'big adventure' with small riders, as there are plenty of options for snacks, stops and bail-outs.

    Posted 6 years ago #
  4. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    @Greenroofer

    Paternal pride glowing from every word. Lovely.

    Posted 6 years ago #
  5. gembo
    Member

    Sunglasses on braved it out on the Lang Whang, mostly fine though Colzium Corner at Harperrig worse than ever, heading west I had to cross over to the wrong lane to avoid the ice, which ain't too cool as it is a blind corner.

    On way out I disturbed a murmuration of starlings in a field near Ainville where the Clydesdale horses live. They took off then swooped down then up then across the road in front of me.

    Big buzzard on lonely pole of a sapling out and back, it did not move? Lovely little kestrel (I have spotted it twice in two days, I want to say it was a hobby so I can move from buteo buteo to sub buteo, but it was just a nice wee kestrel.

    Pentlands amazing in the snow. Harperrig waves looked mutinous.

    Posted 6 years ago #
  6. amir
    Member

    We cycled out to east East Lothian. Very nice until we had to turn back into the rather bitter westerly. The Pentlands were lovely from out there, but seemed further than usual perhaps because they looked higher than they actually are due to the snow. The Lammermuirs kind of looked like the Cairngorms

    Posted 6 years ago #
  7. Trixie
    Member

    I had a lovely ride down WoL yesterday. Then I took a big deep breath and walked my bike over the Slateford Aqueduct. I'm scared of heights and timid of water so it's been a major block to me with that narrow, horrible path. I'd walked over it once before and my knees went jelly and I was close to tears. Turns out having my bike alongside makes me feel much safer. No wobbly knees. :)

    One day I might even pedal it.

    Posted 6 years ago #
  8. gembo
    Member

    @trixie, I sometimes push across but mostly cycle over, you get used to it and indeed used to people telling you about the dismount signs. Two cyclists pushing in opposite directions is a trickier manoeuvre than if one is on bike. Given the several people I have seen in the water I think the dismount signs are there to protect Scottish canals from being sued etc.

    Posted 6 years ago #
  9. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    @Trixie

    No shame in that - it does feel dicey but keep doing it and you'll soon get used to it. It isn't really dangerous at all.

    Posted 6 years ago #
  10. Trixie
    Member

    Just being able to stride across it opens up my possible rides. It's been a literal obstacle.

    (After my first run through the Innocent Tunnel, I swore never again. That black chilly bit gave me the neck-prickling creeps. Then I realised avoiding it was much more work than accepting it.)

    Posted 6 years ago #
  11. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    @Trixie

    Following the canal to the Falkirk Wheel is a proper mini-adventure.

    Posted 6 years ago #
  12. Trixie
    Member

    It's on my to-do when my legs get strong enough. :)

    Posted 6 years ago #
  13. gembo
    Member

    Train to Falkirk canal back works well. there is quite a long tunnel with canal next to you but it is fine, the drips are the worst bit. A light helps.

    Posted 6 years ago #
  14. Frenchy
    Member

    I tagged along on the Tour of East Lothian today although I deviated from the route in quite a few places in order to cycle on some new roads. Far, far, nicer weather than last year, although there are still icy patches in the hills.

    Posted 6 years ago #
  15. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    Train to Falkirk canal back works well.

    Also, take an MTB or a hybrid. Surface variable at best.

    Posted 6 years ago #
  16. Trixie
    Member

    That would certainly be the best way round for me. Somehow it's easier to get past any scary monsters going home than heading away. Noted about light.

    Edit: Yep, I have a hybrid for such journeys. Wee leccy bike is for building up stamina with the get-out of the battery when I get puggled.

    Posted 6 years ago #
  17. fimm
    Member

    I'm quite happy walking or running across the aqueduct, but I've never cycled across and I never will. It feels way too narrow for me.

    Posted 6 years ago #
  18. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    Steamed round the Meadows on the way home after work yesterday. The air was still, cool but not icy, half-light and a cock blackbird was singing loudly. Spring can't be that far away?

    Posted 6 years ago #
  19. Greenroofer
    Member

    Hard not to on a day like this. Glorious ride to Carnwath and back: splendid views, nice temperature, dry road, little wind. Really very lovely indeed.

    ...and, due to a sudden flash of inspiration before I set off, I replaced my thick sock with thin ones. My feet were free to move in my shoes and, with neoprene overshoes, were toasty warm the whole way.

    Posted 6 years ago #
  20. gembo
    Member

    We went east this morning to Gifford into bit if a breeze that did not quit blow us home via Humbie. Was as Greenroofer says, Glorious

    Posted 6 years ago #
  21. HankChief
    Member

    As a first, Mrs Chief & I had a night out in town by bike.

    We avoided the traffic woes on Corstorphine Road and had a lovely 6 mile saunter into town and back for a show.

    However, it should be noted that Mrs Chief spent most of the ride cackling as she was on one of Hart's demo Ebikes and kept it in the highest setting whilst I struggled to keep up.

    Posted 6 years ago #
  22. acsimpson
    Member

    @Hankchief, perhaps you should have taken at least one of your 4 panniers off the bike first so that you weren't unduly hampered ;-)

    Posted 6 years ago #
  23. LaidBack
    Member

    Did a longer run just to remind me why I like cycling.
    Initial target was No1 Peebles Rd for lunch. Went via Granites and still a couple of big drifts left. Road surfaces have taken a battering.
    After lunch went on over to St Mary's Loch, Megget and Talla. Easier ride back in via Romano Bridge and Auchendinny. Was quite a headwind going out and Granites were bigger wind tunnel than usual. Met same Shand rider 3 times. He was a non stop sort of guy and must have been powerful to ride upright into the constant wind.
    93.7 miles 13.6 av 39.5 max
    Got slower as day went on :-(
    One broken spoke.

    Posted 6 years ago #
  24. AIMC
    Member

    Great to share my cycle to work today with a few friends and colleagues.

    Surprise Commute

    Posted 6 years ago #
  25. HankChief
    Member

    This thread really need a 'like' button...

    Posted 6 years ago #
  26. gembo
    Member

    Oh yes I often want to Like posts on here

    Posted 6 years ago #
  27. gembo
    Member

    Nice spin in the sun down to my beloved Apple Pie. Of note, three dead badgers, the south Lanarkshire sign peppered with Buck shot, tarbrax village hall had a pop up cafe yesterday.

    Three other Mallorca bound fietsclub Balerno dads out getting in some extra miles (we are off tomorrow at 7 a.m. To the Kingdom.)

    Posted 6 years ago #
  28. LaidBack
    Member

    That was quick - assume you did this morn!
    Only saw one dead badger on my outing.
    Carnwath is a great route with the AP as a target.

    Posted 6 years ago #
  29. gembo
    Member

    Yes out about 8.30 maybe 8.15 back by 11. It is very much faster on the return. Chap from babby mains who caught me (I as trying to freewheel back) was telling me the B7008 is now passable. Still shut but passable. So that will be very smooth.

    Posted 6 years ago #
  30. Frenchy
    Member

    Had an errand to run at Straiton, so cycled out along the Gilmerton-Roslin path. Lots of people out enjoying the sun - seven other cyclists on the Lasswade Road SUP alone, plenty others on the main path as well. Kids, families, lycraed-up roadies, the whole mix.

    Then went on to Roslin to have a look at the shiny new path there.

    Posted 6 years ago #

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