January 2018

Sunday 7th – very cold, and both groups went, at their respective paces, to the Tyninghame cafe through Tranent, Haddington and East Linton; home via North Berwick and the coast road, but somehow recording slightly different mileages (49 / 50 miles).

Sunday 14th – the fitness group went out of town via Cameron Toll, Loanhead, Lasswade and Gorebridge, then onto the A7, via the Tynehead road to the A68 and through Fala to Humbie for coffee; back by Samuelston, Longniddry and the coast road (49 miles). Meanwhile, the intermediate group went via Carberry hill to Humbie, did a small loop  via Blegbie and on to coffee in Gifford, some via Longyester; then home was via East Saltoun, Pencaitland and Tranent (46/50 miles).

The intermediate group takes over the Lanterne Rouge, Gifford, January 2018

Sunday 21st – on a very cold day, both groups played it safe with a main-road loop along the coast to N Berwick, then round by Tantallon to Tyninghame for coffee; the intermediate group came straight back by E Linton, Haddington and Tranent (47 miles), while the fitness group went a longer way via Pencaitland and Dalkeith (55 miles).

Sunday 28th – a wet and windy ride to Whitmuir for the fitness group, via Bonnyrigg, Rosslynlee, Penicuik and the moor, back by Howgate, Temple and Carrington (46 miles). The intermediate group went through Drem, East Fortune, Whitekirk and Tantallon to North Berwick and coffee in ‘Cake’ before coming home via the coast road in the wind and mizzle (also 46 miles).

February 2018

Sunday 4th – the intermediate group headed south-west through Sheriffhall, past Temple and Gladhouse to Eddleston for coffee at the Scots Pine, then over to Whim and back through Leadburn and Bonnyrigg (43 miles); the fitness group went east through Prestonpans, via Coates and Bangly Hill to Haddington, up Beech Hill to Garvald, round the back of Gifford to Humbie for coffee, then home via Peaston and Carberry (47 miles).

Sunday 11th – very cold but sunny as both groups started out on the coast road to Longniddry, then through Huntington and Haddington; the fitness group went via Papple then back down to E Linton and Tyninghame for coffee, home via Markle and Athelstaneford (50 miles); the intermediate group went to Gifford for coffee, back via
Samuelston, West Saltoun and Cousland (41 miles).

Sunday 18th – the intermediate group went via Carberry and Cousland to Humbie Hub for coffee then (despite puncture problems) on via Longyester to Gifford and home via Bolton and Tranent (48 miles). The fitness group went through Eskbank and Carrington to the Granites, Heriot and Soutra, then home via Humbie (50 miles).

Sunday 25th – another cold and sunny day saw the intermediate group going to Smeaton nursery tea room via Haddington, back by Athelstaneford (56 miles); the fitness group (plagued by punctures) went to the Scots Pine near Eddleston via Edgehead, Middleton and Gladhouse, home by Leadburn and Bonnyrigg (47 miles).

March 2018

Sunday 4th – after three days of brutal conditions during the week, just one group went out to North Berwick via Prestonpans and Drem, home by the coast road (39 miles).

Sunday 11th – the fitness group went via Edgehead and Fala to Humbie, then through Stobshiel, Gifford and Stenton to the Store cafe near Dunbar, back by Traprain Law, Samuelston and West Linton (66 miles). The intermediate group did a circuit to Penicuik mostly on cycle-paths, getting there via Queen Margaret University, Rosslyn and Auchendinny, returning via Loanhead, and with coffee at the Secret Herb Garden (35 miles).

Sunday 18th – a small group of (fool)hardy riders set out in blizzard conditions and got as far as N Berwick, there and back by the coast road (38 miles).

Sunday 25th – a beautiful spring day saw the fitness group ride down to Innerleithen via Dalkeith, Middleton and the Granites, back by Peebles, the Meldons and Carrington (68 miles); the intermediate group cycled to Humbie for coffee, did a couple of loops up to Longyester then to Gifford and rode home via Bolton and Pentcaitland (47 miles).

April 2018

Sunday 1st – the intermediate group went to Humbie via Smeaton, Pathead, Crichton, the A7, Gilston and Soutra, back through Peaston and Cousland (44 miles). A smaller fitness group went to Dunbar, starting up Fa’side then through Macmerry, past Butterdean wood, Haddington, Hailes castle and Binning wood; home via E Linton, Markle and Aberlady (62 miles).

Sunday 8th – the intermediate group went to Tyninghame via Tranent, Haddington and East Linton returning by Hailes Castle, Samuelson and Tranent (48 miles); the fitness group went through Aberlady, Athelstaneford and North Berwick to the cafe at West Barns, back via Dunbar, Spott, Pencaitland (68 miles).

Sunday 15th – the fitness group went to Lauder via Crichton, Heriot and Stow, back past Thirlestane Castle, Carfraemill, the A68 to Fala, the ford road and Pencaitland (62 miles); a large intermediate group went to Gifford via Cockenzie, Longniddry, Haddington and Morham, back through East and West Saltoun, along the Pencaitland cycle track, then via Ormiston and Cousland (45 miles).

Thursday 19th – the first evening ride of the year went to Gladhouse via Lasswade and Mount Lothian, and returned via Borthwick and Carberry (38 miles).

Sunday 22nd – the intermediate group went up Carberry, then via Middleton, the Granites and Heriot to Soutra, back via Humbie (49 miles); the fitness group went to Dawyck via Carrington, the Meldons and Stobo, back over Dreva to Broughton, then home through Blyth Bridge, Leadburn and Bonnyrigg (66 miles).

Thursday 26th – Evening ride up Carberry and on to Humbie, Gifford then Papple, back via Haddington and Bangley Brae (42 miles)

Saturday 28th – a mixed group of adults and children left the bandstand and rode up the Innocent Path to the Meadows where we continued, with thousands of others, to Holyrood via George IV Bridge and the Royal Mile for Pedal on Parliament.

Sunday 29th – the fitness group went through Tranent, Pencaitland and Gifford, up the Rig and on past Whiteadder to Ellemford, across to Longformacus, back down the Rig to Gifford again for coffee, then home via the Saltouns and Carberry (66 miles). The intermediate group went up Carberry to Humbie, Soutra, Heriot and Innerleithen  for coffee, back via the Granites, Middleton, Borthwick castle and Edgehead (68 miles).

May 2018

Thursday 3rd – Evening ride up Fa’side hill and onto Gifford via Pentcaitland, return via Haddington and Macmerry (37 miles).

Sunday 6th – a large intermediate group went to Innerleithen via Vogrie and Gorebridge, then back up the Granites and home by Middleton and Carrington (63 miles).  The fitness group went up Carberry then to Garvald via Longyester and up into the Lammermuirs, down the Rig for coffee in Gifford and home via Longniddry and the coast road (58 miles).

Thursday 10th – evening ride up Carberry to Pathhead, Fala, Tynehead and Middleton to Temple, back by Gore Glen, Newbattle and Dalkeith (38 miles).

Sunday 13th – a combined fitness/intermediate group went through the city to Balerno and along the Lang Whang (where a few peeled off to West Calder for shorter rides home) to Carnwath for coffee, round by Dunsyre and Dolphinton, home by Blythe Bridge, Leadburn and Bonnyrigg (70 miles).

Thursday 17th – evening ride through Elphinstone, Pencaitland, Bolton, Haddington and Aberlady then home along the coast road (42 miles).

Sunday 20th – the intermediate group went to Whitmuir via Sheriffhall, Bonnyrigg, Penicuik and West Linton, back by Eddelston, Gladhouse, Carrington and Dalkeith (52 miles).

Thursday 24th – evening ride through Dalkeith and Mayfield to Newlandrig then Crichton, Fala, Humbie, Bolton and home through Prestonpans (43 miles).

Sunday 27th – the fitness group went up the Wisp to Gilmerton then via cycle path to Roslin, through Carrington to the Granites, left to Heriot, over Soutra to the cafe, and home through Humbie, the Saltouns and Dalkeith (60 miles). The intermediate went onto the Lammermuirs via Tranent, Haddington, Garvald, then down the Rig to Gifford, and home through the Saltouns, Pathead and Dalkeith (56 miles).

Thursday 31st – evening ride along the coast road to Aberlady, over Camptoun hill to Haddington, down Bangley Brae to the level crossing and home via Prestonpans (37 miles).

June 2018

Sunday 3rd – the fitness group went out by Cousland and Pathhead onto the old coach road to Clovenfords, along the south of the Tweed to Innerleithen for coffee, and home by the Granites (70 miles).  The intermediates  took the cycle path to Penicuik, visited Penicuik House (18th Century Palladian mansion), then went via Rosebery reservoir, Temple and Gorebridge to Vogrie House (1876 Victorian baronial); back by Edgehead, Mayfield and Whitecraig (50 miles).

Thursday 7th – sunny evening ride through Cousland and Humbie, over Soutra and back by Tynehead, Crichton and Edgehead (42 miles).

Sunday 10th – the fitness ride went out through Tranent and Morham to Spott and over Crystal Rigg to Whiteadder resevoir, back over Redstone Rigg to the Gifford cafe and then straight home (67 miles). The intermediates group went out through Tranent, East Saltoun and Gifford, round by West Barnes to Tyninghame cafe, and home by Tantallon Castle and the coast road (55 miles).

Friday 15th to Sunday 17th – the 2018 Portovelo weekender was held in the North Pennines, based at Dufton Youth Hostel. Thirty cyclists travelled down on Friday, most by car but quite a few taking the train to Carlisle or Penrith and then cycling to Dufton (up to 55 miles); many then went up Great Dun Fell, a punishingly steep climb starting just a couple of miles from Dufton and rising over 630m in 4.5 miles (12 miles there and back). On Saturday, faster and slower fitness groups did a clockwise circuit up the Eden Valley to Melmerby, over Hartside Fell to Alston, up Killhope Cross and along to St John’s Chapel for coffee; the faster group continued via Rookhope to Cuthbert’s Hill, down Crawleyside to Stanhope, then up Unthank Bank to Middleton-in-Teesdale for lunch, while the slower group took a more direct route to Middleton via Daddry Shield and Newbiggin; both groups then rode back over the fells to Brough, and returned to Dufton via Great Musgrave, Warcop and Hilton (97 miles; 75 miles).  The intermediate group went south through Murton, Warcop, Whitby and Ravenstonedale to Orton for coffee, back by Appleby-in-Westmorland (55 miles).  Fuelled by a big meal out at the local pub on Saturday evening, all three groups followed the same Sunday route: a loop south to Sedbergh via Appleby and Kirkby Stephen, returning on a minor road parallel to the M6 to Tebay, then through Orton and back over the moor to Appleby and Dufton (53 miles).

 

 

 

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Thursday 21st – evening ride through Dalkeith to Temple, Middleton, Pathhead and Cousland, then a loop round by Tranent and Longniddry and back along the coast (55 miles)

Sunday 24th – the intermediate group went out through Tranent, Pencaitland and E Saltoun, round the back of Gifford to Stenton, through the Biel estate to Tyninghame, then on to Smeaton nursery for coffee and home via Markle, Athelstaneford and Coates (53 miles).  The fitness group went over the Meldons for a cafe stop at Dawyck, then back by Dreva, Broughton, West Linton and Bonnyrigg (70 miles).

Thursday 28th – sparsely attended but fast evening ride to North Berwick, back by Tantallon, East Fortune and Longniddry. (45 miles)

July 2018

Sunday 1st – the fitness group went via Danderhall, Sheriffhall and Mayfield to Gorebridge, over the Granites and left to Heriot, then via the coach road and a stretch of A7 to Stow, over the moor to Lauder for coffee, and back via Carfraemill, Humbie, Tranent and Fa’side Hill (69 miles).  The intermediates went through Pencaitland, Samuelston,  Moreham  and Traprain Law to Tyninghame for coffee; back via Athelstaneford, over the Yak to Haddington, then Samuelston, Longniddry and along the coast (55 miles).

Thursday 5th – evening ride to Papple via Tranent, Pencaitland and Gifford, back through Haddington, over the Yak and along the coast road (45 miles).

Sunday 8th – the intermediate group rode from Queen Margaret University to Shawfair and onto the cycle path to Roslin, then went via Auchendinny, Penicuik and over the moor to Whitmuir and back via Gladhouse Reservoir, Temple, Gorebridge, Dalkeith and Inveresk (55 miles). The fitness group rode out through Tynehead and Heriot to Innerleithen for coffee, then along the south side of Tweed,  round Cademuir to Lyne Station, and home by the Meldons,  Gladhouse and Temple (74 miles).

Thursday 12th – evening ride to East Linton in a figure-of-8 loop via Pencaitland and back by Haddington and the coast (46 miles).

Sunday 15th – the fitness group went to Belhaven via Carberry, Edgehead, Fala, Humbie, Longyester and Stenton, back by Haddington, Redhouse, Longniddry and the coast road (62 miles).  The intermediate group went via the Wisp, Gorebridge, over the Granites to Heriot, then over Gilston to Soutra; back via Humbie and Cousland (53 miles).

Thursday 19th – evening ride taking in Lasswade, Carrington, Temple, North Middleton, Crichton, Pathhead and Cousland (36 miles).

Sunday 22nd – the fitness ride went out by Rosebery and Gladhouse reservoirs to Peebles, then along the south side of the Tweed to Innerleithen for coffee; home by Heriot, Tynehead and Cousland (70 miles).  The intermediate group went to Dunbar via Gifford and Papple and returned via North Berwick (63 miles).

Thursday 26th – a hot evening ride through Prestonpans, up Bangley Brae, through Haddington, around Traprain Law and back though Morham, Samuelston and Tranent (45 miles).

Sunday 29th – the fitness group went out to Shawfair, along the new cyclepath to Roslin, through Penicuik to West Linton, Blyth Bridge, Dolphinton and the Big Red Barn for coffee, then fast home via the Lyne Valley, Leadburn and Bonnyrigg (70 miles).  The intermediates went through Dalkieth Country park to the A7, via Carrington and Temple to the Granites, left to Heriot and over the hill to the Soutra cafe; back via Humbie, Cousland and Carberry (51 miles).

August 2018

Thursday 2nd – evening ride that involved a skinny loop out towards Dunbar (50 miles)

Sunday 5th – the fitness group had a long, hard ride to Longformacus via Carberry, Gifford and Redstone Rig, back by Whiteadder, Garvald, Gifford again for coffee, Haddington, the big Yak and Bangly Brae (74 miles).  The intermediate group went along the coast road to Aberlady, inland to East Linton, along by Hailes Castle and up to Gifford for coffee, back by Longyester, East Saltoun, Ormiston and Tranent (53 miles).

Thursday 9th – evening ride taking in Tranent, Cousland, East Saltoun, Humbie, Fala Dam, Pathhead and Inveresk (43 miles).

Sunday 12th – in persistent, heavy rain, the fitness group rode through E Saltoun, Longyester and Stenton to the Belhaven fruit farm cafe, then back via Whitekirk, Gullane and the coast road (60 miles), while the intermediate group went through Haddington, Traprain Law, Stenton and Garvald to Gifford for coffee, back via Samuelston,  Longniddry and the coast road (57 miles).

Thursday 16th – evening ride to Edgehead, Crichton, Heriot, Granites, Eskbank (40 miles).

Sunday 19th – on another wet day, the fitness group went over Sheriffhall, through Lasswade, Loanhead, Roslin and Penicuik to Carlops, over to Whitmuir for coffee, back by Spylaw, Waterheads, Rosebery reservoir, Middleton, Crichton and Cousland (62 miles).  The intermediates went via Carberry Hill and Humbie to Longyester and Garvald, back to Gifford for coffee, then home via Samuelston and Longniddry (50 miles).

Thursday 23rd – the evening ride was a Midlothian loop incorporating Cousland, Windy Mains, Fala, Tynehead, Temple, Dalkeith and Musselburgh (39 miles).

Sunday 26th – the intermediate group went along the coast to Aberlady, then via Kingston, North Berwick and Whitekirk to the A199 and over the railway to East Linton for refreshments, back by Markle, Athelstaneford, Bangly Brae and the coast road (53 miles).  The fitness group  went along the cycle-path to Roslin, then via Howgate and Leadburn to Peebles, south of  theTweed to Innerleithen for coffee; back by the Granites, Newbattle and Dalkeith country park (65 miles).

September 2018

Sunday 2nd – the fitness group looped round the Pentlands via Leadburn, Blyth Bridge, Elsrickle, Carnwath for coffee and pies, back by the Lang Whang (68 miles).  The intermediates went through Eskbank, Carrington, Temple and Eddleston, over the Meldons, then via Romannobridge to Whitmuir for coffee; back via Dalkeith Country Park and Musselburgh (57 miles).

Thursday 6th – evening ride via Whitecraig, Temple, by Gorebridge and back down Carberry (39 miles).

Sunday 9th – the intermediate group went along the Esk path to Whitecraig, through Dalkeith, Newbattle and North Middleton to Gladhouse Reservoir, then over to Lamancha and West Linton for coffee, fast back over the moor to Penicuik and home along the cycle path from Roslin and through the Drum estate to the Wisp (55 miles). The fitness group went out to the Granites via Roslin then up the A7 and over to the cafe at Soutra, back through Humbie, East Saltoun and Cousland (57 miles).

Later, a large party of adults and children rode to Musselburgh, along the Esk Path to Inveresk, then up Salter’s Road to Fa’side hill to pick brambles (10 miles).

Sunday 16th – the fitness group went on an epic century-plus ride along the cycle-path to Roslin, via Leadburn to Eddleston, over the Meldons and Stobo to Dawyck for coffee, then south on the Moffat Road, over Tala to St Mary’s Loch, a loop from the Gordon Arms through Berrybush to Ettrickbridge, over the Swire and back to the Gordon Arms, over the hill to Innerleith for lunch, then home over the Granites to Heriot, Crichton and Pathhead (117 miles).  Meanwhile, the intermediate group did their own 100-km century ride along the coast road to North Berwick, then via Tyninghame to Dunbar for coffee; back via Spott stopping at the Witches Stone, then to Gifford for a second coffee stop, and home through East Salton and Musselburgh (63 miles).

Sunday 23rd – the intermediate group went up Carberry then via Edgehead, Vogrie, Borthwick and North Middleton to the Granites, back over Soutra to the cafe and home through Humbie and Cousland (50 miles).  The fitness group went round the coast to Cramond, through Dalmeny estate to Winchburgh and past Beecraigs to Linlithgow for coffee, then a loop to the north of Linlithgow (past the golf course) and home via Winchburgh and Kirkliston (57 miles).

Sunday 30th – the fitness group did the classic “Two Bridges” ride: through Edinburgh via Ferry Road and Cramond Brig,to the Kincardine Bridge via Kirkliston, Philipston, Bo’ness and Grangemouth, along to Culross for coffee, through Limekilns and Rosyth to the Forth Road Bridge and back through Edinburgh on cycle-paths to Leith (70 miles). The intermediate group went to Linlithgow via Cramond Brig and Winchburgh, then round by the golf course and back through Kirkliston (55 miles).

October 2018

Sunday 7th – the fitness ride went to the Big Red Barn via the cycle path from Shawfair to Loanhead, then through Leadburn to Rommanobridge, the Lyne Valley to Blyth Bridge and a loop round by Elsrickle; back by West Linton, the moor road to Penicuik, Straiton and Cameron Toll (70 miles). The intermediate group went through Musselburgh, Carrington and Leadburn to Whitmuir for coffee, then over Macbiehill to Penicuik and home along the cycle path from Roslin to Shawfair (49 miles).

Sunday 14th – the fitness group went along towards Prestonpans, up Birsley Brae, then through Ormiston, Gifford and Stenton to Belhaven for coffee, back through Tyninghame, East Linton, East Fortune and Longniddry (62 miles). The intermediates went up Carberry, over Cousland to Humbie then over Soutra to the A7, back by Tynehead to the A68 then through Fala to Humbie for the cafe stop, back along the outward route (47 miles).

Sunday 21st – the intermediate group went to Longyester via Ormiston, up to Danskine and then down to Gifford for coffee; back via Samuelston, Pencaitland and Elphinstone (45 miles). The fitness group went up Carberry, through New Winton and Longyester to Garvald, up onto the Lammermuirs, down Redstone Rig to Gifford for coffee, back past Haddington to Cockenzie (55 miles).

Sunday 28th – on a cold but beautiful autumn day, the fitness group went to Innerleithen via Pathhead, Crichton, Heriot, the coach road, Clovenfords and the A72, back over the Granites and the A7 (70 miles).  The intermediate group went through Tranent, Haddington, past Traprain Law to Pitcox and on to the Strawberry Barn for coffee, back through East Linton, Markle, Athelstaneford, Bangley Brae and Longniddry (51 miles).

November 2018

Sunday 4th – a small fitness group went along the cycle path from Shawfair to Roslin, through Rosewell and Carrington to the A7, over the hill at Gilston to the House of Soutra for coffee, back by Humbie and Cousland (52 miles); a much larger intermediate group went along the coast to Aberlady, cross country to Fenton Barns, then via Drem, Athelstaneford and Haddington to Gifford for coffee, and back through East Saltoun, Pencaitland and Tranent (43 miles).

Sunday 11th – on the centenary of the end of WWI, the fitness group went to E Linton via Cousland, the cycle-path from Ormiston, the Saltouns, Gifford, Longyester and past Traprain Law, then back by Binning Wood, Athelstaneford, Bangly Brae and Longniddry (53 miles).  The intermediate group rode south to Humbie and then via Longyester to Gifford just in time for the Remembrance Sunday service, and coffee; after a few hills around Danskine and Garvald, the group rode home via Haddington and the A199.

Sunday 18th – the fitness group went up the Smeaton Farm road to the A68, then through West Saltoun, Bolton, Morham and the Biel Estate to Tyninghame for coffee, back by Binning Wood, Fenton Barns, Aberlady and the coast road (56 miles). The intermediate group headed out through Inveresk, Wallyford, Longniddry, Ballencrieff, Haddington, Athelstaneford and Kingston to North Berwick for coffee, then home along the coast road (42 miles).

Sunday 25th – a very small fitness group went up Fa’side hill, then via East Saltoun and Gifford to Danskine, then back to Humbie for coffee and home via Fala Dam, Crichton and Mayfield (50 miles).  A much larger intermediate group also went to the Humbie Hub via the Esk cycle path, another cycle path to Dalkeith, Fordel Mains and Pathhead; back by the Saltouns, the Pencaitland-Ormiston railway path and Cousland (41 miles).

December 2018

Sunday 2nd – the fitness group rode up to Edgehead, then past Gladhouse Reservoir to the A703, through Lamancha to Whitmuir for coffee, and home via the moor road to Penicuik and the cycle path from Roslin to Danderhall (50 miles).  The intermediates started out through Dalkeith, Carrington, Temple and Middleton, up the Granites and round by Heriot, Tynehead and Crichton, stopping at Vogrie Country Park before heading back through Carberry (47 miles).

Sunday 9th – the intermediate group went through Tranent, Huntington and Athelstaneford to North Berwick, back via Kingston, Aberlady and the coast road (41 miles); the fitness group rode round the south of the city via Fairmilehead and Colinton to Balerno, then through Kirknewton, Pumpherston, Dechmont and Beecraigs to Linlithgow for coffee, back by Philipstoun, Kirkliston, Cramond Brig and Leith (55 miles).

Sunday 16th – the intermediate group started along the coast, then rode inland via Coates to Haddington, through Bolton and Humbie to the House of Soutra for coffee, and back through Humbie and Carberry, with a stop to see the Ormiston Great Yew (45 miles). The fitness group went via Dalkeith to Gorebridge then via Temple, Mount Lothian and Leadburn to Whitmuir for coffee, and back over the moor road from West Linton to Penicuik and Straiton (50 miles).

Sunday 23rd – the fitness group rode up Carberry, past Vogrie to Gorebridge, through Borthwick to Middleton, then over the Granites, left to Heriot and over the hill to the House of Soutra for coffee, back by Humbie and Cousland (49 miles).  The intermediate group headed along the coast to Aberlady then over the hill to Haddington, via Papple to Gifford for coffee, home through Bolton, Samuelston, Gladsmuir, Tranent and Musselburgh (43 miles).

Wednesday 26th – a Boxing Day special that went up Carberry, along the Pencaitland railway path to W Saltoun, from E Saltoun to Bolton, then back through Samuelston, Gladsmuir, over the level crossing, through Longniddry Dean to the coast road (34 miles).

Sunday 30th – the fitness group rode through Dalkeith to Leadburn, then over the moor road and up to Carlops for coffee (and to wish John a happy birthday), then back to Penicuik and home through Bonnyrigg and Dalkeith country park (48 miles). The intermediate group rode out past Queen Margaret University to Dalkeith, then via Fordel Mains, Pathhead and Samuelston to Haddington for coffee and back through Macmerry and Tranent (43 miles).