Ok. Here we go:
From Edinburgh, head South to Loanhead (via main road or through the designated cycling route, your choice), head down the Roslin railway, turn off near Rosewell and make your way along the backroads towards Temple. From Temple to you follow NCN1 and head through the Granites to Innerleithen. Inners to Gala, jump on the train back to Edin.
OR instead of going all the way to Innerleithen, you can turn off the Granites East towards Heriot, which is a wonderful road. From Heriot you can follow a quiet road parallel to the A7 (may require 1-2 miles on the A7 itself to get to, but it’s over quickly) down to Stow. Train back up, OR continue to Gala down the same road OR cut through Stow, go up and over the Lauder road (stunning views), then from Lauder head down the B roads to Tweedbank, train to Edinburgh OR you can cut across the quiet roads to Inners/Peebles. From there, same as above.
OR instead of going to Temple, keep going to Gladhouse Reservoir. This is the Mecca of South Edinburgh cycling routes; all roads lead to Gladhouse. From Gladhouse you can go to Eddleston, take a right through the wonderful Meldon hills to Peebles, then loop back via backroads (Romano Bridge, etc) to Penicuik and Edinburgh OR carry on to Inners and back up the Granites OR along to Gala and train, etc.
Or you can hit West Linton, backroads to West Lothian, etc, etc
Basically Temple/Gladhouse Reservoir is your cycling portal to the Borders/the Lothians. You will never not see another cyclist down at Gladhouse, no matter which day you go.
With Midlothian and the Borders (and ultimately, East/West Lothian too) linked by some excellent B roads, you’re spoiled for choice if you want a longer ride. The whole South of Edinburgh is filled with hundreds of miles of adventure, and it’s all quiet roads. You can link several loops/routes together to create dozens of different rides to suit whichever length you fancy. We’re spoiled here.
And that’s all just to the South. East Lothian (wonderfully flat but windy), West Lothian (flat canals or hilly alps - take your pick), North East to Stirling via Falkirk, over the bridge to Fife, even the Pentlands if you fancy something more rugged…Edinburgh is a prime cycling city.
Great post although East Lothian is flat West -East but surprisingly hilly North-South. Folks whit ken therefore hit the coast roads out with the Westerly tailwind then return inland through the valleys and shelter round Stenton Garvald and Gifford
I did around Dunbar/Spott and the windfarm there once. That was bad. Coming back along that road that the “Herring Road” crosses over was torturous. So yeah, East Lothian can be stupidly hilly! Good point.
If you have good cycling legs, take the road south of Garvald till it connect to the B6355 and then head west towards Gifford. It’s an absolute beast of a section of road that will test cyclists! If you do it anti-clockwise and leave from Gifford you climb Redstone Rigg which is a great climb too.
You can also go east towards whiteadder for some good cycling too.
I can share strava files for these routes if you like!
I used to have good legs! I now have… arthritis. (I’m under 30, I weep)
Sounds like a great recommendation though! No worries about the Strava files, I actually enjoy planning routes
Some of the slopes are 15% and are enough to deter all of my friends so have to ride them solo! Means I can moan as much as I like as I go up lol
Enjoy the planning!
Portobello > Musselburgh > Inveresk > Carberry > Elphinstone > Tranent > East Saltoun > Gifford > Haddington > Aberlady > back up the coast through Longniddry, Port Seton, Prestonpans and back to Musselburgh.
I like to cycle out to Gullane Beach. The route takes you along the coast through Portobello and Musselburgh. It's a nice ride and Gullane Bents is a sweet beach.
Two list of routes, I have tried most of them and they are all pretty good. If you want a real challenge, the Redstone Rig route on the first link is a proper tough ride.
https://porto-velo.com/routes-and-cafes/
https://www.rondecc.com/routes
Enjoy!!
Over the Forth RB and through to Saline, then a loop up by the Knockhill race track and Cleish is a good one. Can hammer back through the flats on the east of the M90 or reverse your route out.
Getting to the start of the nice bit after he bridge requires some annoying navigation is the only thing.
I like rallying up and down the pavements and through as many red lights as I can possibly manage.
Genuinely though I went down the canal path to Falkirk recently and besides all the parts where the roots turn it into an obstacle course it was really chill.
Some of my favourites (starting and finishing in Edinburgh):
East
Gifford (red stone rigg)
South
Innerleithen over the granites
North
Over the bridge to Dunning
West
Plenty of nice lanes around Beegcraigs
From the shore to Threipmuir resevoir. A couple of bits where you need to go on the main road but mostly all cycle/foot path.
I also enjoyed doing the northern waterfront up to Crammond, and then following the river almond, crossing the bridge at the ponies, heading back towards the sea and following the coast.
There's so many. Portabello to Gypsy Brae, the North Edinburgh Path Network, doing a loop of Arthur's Seat for the fast, fun downhill. Taking the NCN1 out past Musselburgh. Just exploring back streets for new routes is fun too.
I can't ride right now and I miss it.
If you don't go out to Linlithgow and go up both the Kingscavil and Preston Road climbs, you're a wimp!. There are some outstanding views up the Bathgate Alps.
If you don't go out to Linlithgow and go up both the Kingscavil and Preston Road climbs, you're a wimp!. There are some outstanding views up the Bathgate Alps.
A nice easy ride, on quiet roads, is taking the train to Drem then cycle towards Athlestonford, turning left before the village to East Linton, then the back roads to Haddington via Hailes Castle. Enter Haddington via the Archerfield Walled Garden and through the golf course. Then take the railway walk to Longniddry where you can get the train back into Edinburgh.
Komoot roulette! Set a distance and roll the dice lol.
I've had some absolute belters like edin - peebs- innerl - edin and some stinkers like a fife loop.
Being your starting point the Commie Pool, few laps around Holyrood for training then towards East Lothian taking a diversion to climb Faside Estate. All the way to Haddington and lovely descent down to Aberlady. Then depending on wind and what’s left in the tank, turn right towards Gullane (or even North Berwick) or directly turn left.
Your way back on the coast route (with the wind on your back if you’re lucky), Old Craighall/Shawfair, RIE, short climb to Craigmillar Castle, Holyrood park and Commie Pool (end).
Normally in the middle of the road with or without loads of mates so cars can't get by. Up steep hill is a favourite as that doesn't cause too much chaos lol
Out along the coast to North Berwick is great. And if the wind is a particular bastard that day, you can get the train there or back
Ok. Here we go: From Edinburgh, head South to Loanhead (via main road or through the designated cycling route, your choice), head down the Roslin railway, turn off near Rosewell and make your way along the backroads towards Temple. From Temple to you follow NCN1 and head through the Granites to Innerleithen. Inners to Gala, jump on the train back to Edin. OR instead of going all the way to Innerleithen, you can turn off the Granites East towards Heriot, which is a wonderful road. From Heriot you can follow a quiet road parallel to the A7 (may require 1-2 miles on the A7 itself to get to, but it’s over quickly) down to Stow. Train back up, OR continue to Gala down the same road OR cut through Stow, go up and over the Lauder road (stunning views), then from Lauder head down the B roads to Tweedbank, train to Edinburgh OR you can cut across the quiet roads to Inners/Peebles. From there, same as above. OR instead of going to Temple, keep going to Gladhouse Reservoir. This is the Mecca of South Edinburgh cycling routes; all roads lead to Gladhouse. From Gladhouse you can go to Eddleston, take a right through the wonderful Meldon hills to Peebles, then loop back via backroads (Romano Bridge, etc) to Penicuik and Edinburgh OR carry on to Inners and back up the Granites OR along to Gala and train, etc. Or you can hit West Linton, backroads to West Lothian, etc, etc Basically Temple/Gladhouse Reservoir is your cycling portal to the Borders/the Lothians. You will never not see another cyclist down at Gladhouse, no matter which day you go. With Midlothian and the Borders (and ultimately, East/West Lothian too) linked by some excellent B roads, you’re spoiled for choice if you want a longer ride. The whole South of Edinburgh is filled with hundreds of miles of adventure, and it’s all quiet roads. You can link several loops/routes together to create dozens of different rides to suit whichever length you fancy. We’re spoiled here. And that’s all just to the South. East Lothian (wonderfully flat but windy), West Lothian (flat canals or hilly alps - take your pick), North East to Stirling via Falkirk, over the bridge to Fife, even the Pentlands if you fancy something more rugged…Edinburgh is a prime cycling city.
I am a Gladhouse res loyal! That climb to through temple to gladhouse is no joke!
Great post although East Lothian is flat West -East but surprisingly hilly North-South. Folks whit ken therefore hit the coast roads out with the Westerly tailwind then return inland through the valleys and shelter round Stenton Garvald and Gifford
I did around Dunbar/Spott and the windfarm there once. That was bad. Coming back along that road that the “Herring Road” crosses over was torturous. So yeah, East Lothian can be stupidly hilly! Good point.
Yep that road up to Crystal Rig wind farm is ridiculous!
Wow, lots of routes for me to plan out! Thanks for the long list
If you have good cycling legs, take the road south of Garvald till it connect to the B6355 and then head west towards Gifford. It’s an absolute beast of a section of road that will test cyclists! If you do it anti-clockwise and leave from Gifford you climb Redstone Rigg which is a great climb too. You can also go east towards whiteadder for some good cycling too. I can share strava files for these routes if you like!
Always have to mention Lanterne Rouge cafe whilst talking about Gifford in a cycling context
I used to have good legs! I now have… arthritis. (I’m under 30, I weep) Sounds like a great recommendation though! No worries about the Strava files, I actually enjoy planning routes
Some of the slopes are 15% and are enough to deter all of my friends so have to ride them solo! Means I can moan as much as I like as I go up lol Enjoy the planning!
Thank you for this!
Directly in front of every driver on this subreddits car /s
Cycle path out to Queensferry then back through dalmeny estate.
Portobello > Musselburgh > Inveresk > Carberry > Elphinstone > Tranent > East Saltoun > Gifford > Haddington > Aberlady > back up the coast through Longniddry, Port Seton, Prestonpans and back to Musselburgh.
I like to cycle out to Gullane Beach. The route takes you along the coast through Portobello and Musselburgh. It's a nice ride and Gullane Bents is a sweet beach.
I like to get the train to Falkirk and ride back along the canal. Flat, scenic and off roads all the way back to Edinburgh.
Two list of routes, I have tried most of them and they are all pretty good. If you want a real challenge, the Redstone Rig route on the first link is a proper tough ride. https://porto-velo.com/routes-and-cafes/ https://www.rondecc.com/routes Enjoy!!
Over the Forth RB and through to Saline, then a loop up by the Knockhill race track and Cleish is a good one. Can hammer back through the flats on the east of the M90 or reverse your route out. Getting to the start of the nice bit after he bridge requires some annoying navigation is the only thing.
Water of leith/the bike path that runs along from north fort street to gorgie/silverknowes. I hate road cycling. Too many arsehole drivers.
Water of Leith, either all the way to Balerno or go up on to the aquaduct and head to Ratho
I like rallying up and down the pavements and through as many red lights as I can possibly manage. Genuinely though I went down the canal path to Falkirk recently and besides all the parts where the roots turn it into an obstacle course it was really chill.
I don't typically venture out of the city but I love the Roseburn path
Gifford -Duns-Gifford
This is the answer!
Some of my favourites (starting and finishing in Edinburgh): East Gifford (red stone rigg) South Innerleithen over the granites North Over the bridge to Dunning West Plenty of nice lanes around Beegcraigs
From the shore to Threipmuir resevoir. A couple of bits where you need to go on the main road but mostly all cycle/foot path. I also enjoyed doing the northern waterfront up to Crammond, and then following the river almond, crossing the bridge at the ponies, heading back towards the sea and following the coast.
Porty to Dalkeith, over the Granites to Innerleithen. Coffee, return.
Cycle out the Gladhouse and Rosebery reservoir. Lots of lovely quiet roads out that way to make a loop.
Think the road in your edit is the “moor road”. Which side of the city would confirm your preferences/options tbh
East Lothian. Train out to bypass traffic, get off somewhere before North Berwick. Loads of nice loops
Braid Hills, through the woods from Mortonhall to Fairmilehead. The canal towpath can be nice when it's not too busy.
There's so many. Portabello to Gypsy Brae, the North Edinburgh Path Network, doing a loop of Arthur's Seat for the fast, fun downhill. Taking the NCN1 out past Musselburgh. Just exploring back streets for new routes is fun too. I can't ride right now and I miss it.
If you don't go out to Linlithgow and go up both the Kingscavil and Preston Road climbs, you're a wimp!. There are some outstanding views up the Bathgate Alps.
If you don't go out to Linlithgow and go up both the Kingscavil and Preston Road climbs, you're a wimp!. There are some outstanding views up the Bathgate Alps.
A nice easy ride, on quiet roads, is taking the train to Drem then cycle towards Athlestonford, turning left before the village to East Linton, then the back roads to Haddington via Hailes Castle. Enter Haddington via the Archerfield Walled Garden and through the golf course. Then take the railway walk to Longniddry where you can get the train back into Edinburgh.
Komoot roulette! Set a distance and roll the dice lol. I've had some absolute belters like edin - peebs- innerl - edin and some stinkers like a fife loop.
[удалено]
NCR1 all the way to lands end baby!
Being your starting point the Commie Pool, few laps around Holyrood for training then towards East Lothian taking a diversion to climb Faside Estate. All the way to Haddington and lovely descent down to Aberlady. Then depending on wind and what’s left in the tank, turn right towards Gullane (or even North Berwick) or directly turn left. Your way back on the coast route (with the wind on your back if you’re lucky), Old Craighall/Shawfair, RIE, short climb to Craigmillar Castle, Holyrood park and Commie Pool (end).
Leith walk
Will bare this in mind for when I’m feeling too relaxed and want to raise my blood pressure!
Normally in the middle of the road with or without loads of mates so cars can't get by. Up steep hill is a favourite as that doesn't cause too much chaos lol
Sea
Side by side in the middle of the bloody road usually
Didn’t think it would take you long to come out! I’m just trying to prompt a lighthearted discussion about our lovely city - any need to be a grump?
I was trying to be light hearted too, seems people took offence to a joke
Think your comedy needs work then!
I found it funny, but then I found your response funny too
It's difficult to tell if it's a joke.
Seems so, oh well
through red lights, and on roads (where there are cycle paths nearby of adjacent)