Damp squib

"We should come home from adventures, and perils, and discoveries every day with new experience and character" ~ Henry David Thoreau

Thanks to those who showed up on Sunday. When I turned up there were three shivering specimens sheltering at the bus stop. The conversation soon turned to waterproofs, mainly efficiency and heat retention properties. As more turned up, more suggestions were made for the coffee stop at Caffe Nero. I decided that this was the best course for the group, especially as it wasn't very warm, and see if the weather turned for the better.

Friendship always Warms

So it was worth turning up, the company, as ever, is warm, and the conversation is enjoyable (even if my hearing seemed to be dull). Some people even went out for a ride in the drizzle (see report below from Mike Lewis). Even though we never left Edinburgh, we still travelled with each other and discovered something new. The Spokes Ride still went ahead.

Anyway the next Spokes Ride is a long ride on the 20th July, the next normal Spoke Ride is the 3rd of August, lets hope we get some better weather by then.

If you fancy a quick bike ride on a Tuesday, get to the Commonwealth Pool before 7pm on Tuesdays for a bit of mid-week escape. Neil has sent some reports out to the email list. For more info see the maps, Google maps http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/user?uid=107598854133601579453&hl=en&gl=uk or Yahoo pictures http://www.flickr.com/photos/27746818@N08/2617167168/ for the map (and pictures of his ex-helmet)

If the weather's not very nice, why not try and win a new bike, or a whole load of bikes for the family. CyclingScotland's Cycling Action Plan Scotland wants to hear from real cyclists. Please help promote cycling and visit http://cyclingscotland.msol.org.uk/winabike/

Finally, the next Cyclists' Meal will be in September, and suggestions for a venue, let me know. The only stipulation is that the venue should be able to cope with about 20 people.

Hope to see you there.

Warm Regards,

Explore, Dream, Discover

Six people went for a short ride.

From Mike Lewis
Six of us set out. We went via Fountainbridge, Telfer Subway, Murieston Crescent, Roseburn Path, Blackhall Path, Davidsons Mains, Barnton Avenue and down Braepark Road to Cramond Brig. We then retraced our steps to Downies Mill Lane and followed the Almond to Cramond. We had a brief refreshment break near the harbour in Cramond, then pedalled along the waterfront to Silverknowes. We took Silverknowes Road back to the Blackhall Path. At the junction with the Roseburn Path, we said our goodbyes.

Ride Statistics

Distance cycled: 16.5 miles
Average speed: 9.1 miles per hour
Maximum speed: 20.1 miles per hour
Altitude gained: Don't know, but not very much.

We had light drizzle most of the way, with an occasional and short-lived dry patch.
So, the day was far from being a write-off.