The changable weather continues, so as two Spokes Rides have been cancelled, I am making the first Long Spokes Ride just a little less long, about 95km, or 60 miles in old money. One person did turn up for the July Spokes Ride, but the weather did turn out for the worse on Sunday :-(

So a Catch up from June

Spokes Ride

A very changeable weekend. Thanks to Neil who volunteered to lead the ride on Sunday. the ride was cancelled as there were Weather Warnings issued by the Met Office. Cancelling is a difficult decision, especially when there are 11 people. I would have probably made the same decision, even though the actual weather was not as extreme as forecast.

A short ride did go ahead to Dalkeith Country Park

Led by Mike Lewis. This sounds exactly like the November Ride, only then it marked a big change from Autumn to Winter. I remember just how quiet it was after the storm in November. A few days earlier, birdsong was very evident, after the storm nothing. Hopefully this weekend will herald in Summer, and not a whole load of snow.

It was raining quite heavily at the meeting point, with a lot more rain forecast, so Neil sensibly decided to cancel the official ride. However, a few of us thought we'd try for a short run before the weather closed in, and I somehow got elected leader.

Nine of us set out, with the rain falling quite heavily.

The route

Usher Hall - Grindley Street - Lauriston Place - Middle Meadow Walk - North Meadow Walk - S.Clerk St - East Preston Street - Dalkeith Road - Holyrood Park Road - Innocent Railway Path - Brunstane Station - Gilbertstoun - Newcraighall - Queen Margaret University.

The plan had been to get to Musselburgh Station, and then decide whether to go on or turn back. The rain had eased at this point, so we decided to head to Dalkeith Country Park:

Musselburgh Station - Mucklets Avenue - Ferguson Drive - River Esk Walkway - Whitecraig - Dalkeith Railway Path - Thornybank - Musselburgh Road - Dalkeith Country Park.

We reached the park at 11.45, and stopped for an early lunch break at the cafe. After lunch, the rain started up again. We headed north through the park, exiting at Monkton Cottage (we took a chance on the gate being locked; it wasn't), and then back into Musselburgh.

Monkton Hall Terrace - Eskview Terrace - Eskside West - Musselburgh Promenade (by now, the rain was heavy and visibility poor; the usual view of Arthur's Seat was AWOL) - Fisherrow - Edinburgh Road - Portobello Promenade - the rough narrow (unnamed) path parallel to Seafield Road - the path by Seafield Crematorium - Leith Links - Links Place - Tolbooth Wynd - The Shore - Water of Leith Path - Warriston Path - Rodney Street Tunnel - George V Park - Eyre Place - Stockbridge - Dean Village - Dean Path - Ravelston Terrace - Ravelston Dykes - Crarae Avenue, and then onto the Roseburn Path, where we said our goodbyes (at about 14.30).

The stats

Distance: 48 km (30 miles)
Maximum speed: 35.3 kph (22 mph)
Average speed: 16 kph (10 mph)
Time in saddle: 3 hours
Altitude gained: Don't know, but not very much.
Maximum temperature: 13C

Meadows Festival

The Meadows Festival was fun, despite having a bad cold. Saturday was very busy, lovely until the late afternoon downpour, but by then I had packed up and was on my way home (Morningside Station, and south from there, was bone dry!!!) Sunday was a washout, and cold. Sunday is normally a lot busier than the Saturday in good years. Fortunately I have a gazebo which protects you from the worst of the elements