What a beautiful day for a Spokes Ride, we started from the Usher Hall at 10:17 am and departed for Mid Calder. A bit breezy, but it was a balmy 12 deg Celsius, and lots of sunshine. 21 people turned up. Yup I’m back on the bike (don’t all moan at once please!!!!), firing on one leg though. Makes acceleration a bit interesting.

On person had a puncture from the start, but as it was a recumbent, we said we would meet at Balerno, where the Water of Leith path emerges. We headed out past Fountain Park, through Shandon and Slateford Road, turning on to the cycle path on the Lanark Road. In the Autumn sunshine, the golden colours of Autumn shone, making it a pretty spectacular ride, even though it was slight muddy.

At Balerno, the recumbent owner joined us, and we headed through Balerno travelling along the Glenbrook Road to join Lanark Road West. Geoff returned home from Balerno, down to 20 cyclists. The Lanark Road west presented some pretty exhausting riding in the wind, 2 ½ km later; we turned right on to a minor road, which then went downhill (hooray!!!!!). At the end of this road, we turned right, went across the A71 and in to East Calder. Down to the B7015, which took us to Mid Calder, arriving at 12:15. We went to Almondell country Park, as the pub wasn’t open yet.

We returned to the pub, where we had lunch and a wee drink ( and some quite nice apple crumble ). Mike Lewis took names for the Cyclists Meal. If you weren’t here today, Mike needs your name if you intend coming along. It looks like a superb evening out. Thanks Mike.

After Lunch, we cycled along the B7015 and B7031, where Alec had a puncture, to Kirknewton, where we turned on to a minor road going through the village (the pub here sells beer at £1.50 a pint!!!!). From here we went past Easter Newton Farm heading for the Long Dalmahoy Road. Just before we reached it, at a bridge crossing the railway, we had to deal with a massive pot hole; Mike Bonar’s pump skidding across the road and a massive lorry, all in quick succession.

We went quite fast along the Long Dalmahoy road and turned right, following national cycle route network 75 in to Balerno. There was a little hill, for which I was derided. I did say that most of the route home was downhill, which it was.  In the entire road rises 50m from the stream, but the steep bit only went up 20m.

At Balerno, we said goodbye to the recumbent cyclist, as we all headed down the Water of Leith Path. 3 people turned off at Woodhall farm. I, along with Bryan (new to this email list, along with Lee and gavin, let me know your full names and I can add them in to the address book properly, thanks guys) turned off at Colinton.

A wonderful day, and only a spot of rain on the way back. Most of the time it was glorious golden autumn sunshine.

I’ll add details to the website next weekend, along with September and October (sorry, but I’m busy doing my MSc as well as organising loads of other things).

Stats:

Distance:                52km (32.5 miles) very short
Time in Saddle:           3 hours and 7 minutes
Total Distance Climbed: 538m (1765 ft)
Max temperature          12 deg Celsius

Thanks to everyone who turned up and making it a brilliant day out.

Next Spokes Ride is 7th December, the last ride of 2003. The Mince Pie run, mince pies and coffee / tea at my place after the ride, is on January 4th 2004.

I felt quite fine leading this ride, I’m a bit tired, so I’m now departing for bed. My hill muscles will return.