January 2023

Sunday 1st – for the first ride of the year, two groups rode to the Lantern Rouge (because it was open), a faster group via Humbie and back through Haddington and the level crossing (42 miles), a slower group via the Saltouns and back through Samuelston and Tranent (35 miles).

Wednesday 4th – the first mid-week intermediate ride of the year to Tyninghame via Aberlady and Whitekirk, direct back by Athelstaneford (46 miles).

Sunday 8th – the fitness ride rode out through Loanhead to Carlops, then by Macbiehill and Lamancha to the Scots Pine, back by Carrington and Dalkeith country park (51 miles). The inters-plus group did a similar route: more direct out via Penicuik, back past Gladhouse reservoir (47 miles). The intermediates went via Roslin Glen, Carrington and Fala Dam to Humbie, back by East Saltoun and Tranent (45 miles). Fitness-plus went up the Granites, left to Heriot, over to Soutra and direct back (50 miles).

Wednesday 11th – mid-week intermediate ride to Gifford via Haddington and straight back (40 miles).

Saturday 14th – gravel ride in the Pentlands, from Balerno to Glencorse (34 miles).

Sunday 15th – a combined fitness+/fitness ride looped round through Penicuik and Mount Lothian to Humbie, back by the Saltouns (50 miles). Inters+ started out on a similar route to Penicuik, diverted to Newtongrange for coffee, then looped back by Ormiston (48 miles). The intermediate group went via Aberlady and Haddington to Gifford, back through the Saltouns (42 miles).

Wednesday 18th – mid-week intermediate ride to Gifford via Samuelston and Haddington, back through Ormiston (40 miles).

Sunday 22nd – East Lothian loops for everyone: the inters-plus group started on the coast road to Gullane, then went over the Yak to Haddington for coffee and home via Gifford and the Saltouns (41 miles). The inters went through Haddington and the Biel estate to Tyninghame, back through Aberlady and Longniddry (53 miles). A combined fitness/fitness-plus group went through Gifford and Pitcox to Smeaton, then direct back through Athelstaneford (52 miles).

Wednesday 25th – mid-week intermediate ride to Gifford (again) via the pylon road, back through Pencaitland (38 miles).

Saturday 28th – gravel ride around Pencaitland with Saltoun Big Wood as the end point (33 miles).

Sunday 29th – the intermediates went to Humbie via East Saltoun, out and back by Cousland (36 miles). The inters-plus group rode round by East Linton and Hailed to Gifford and direct back (46 miles). A combined fitness/fitness-plus group got to Eddleston via Gladhouse, back by Macbiehill and Penicuik (53 miles).

February 2023

Wednesday 1st – mid-week intermediate ride to Haddington via Bolton, back by Seton Mains, in two groups taking slightly different routes (36/37 miles).

Sunday 5th – the inters-plus group went via Gifford and Haddington to East Linton (Smeaton nursery) then back by Kingston and Aberlady (49 miles). The inters group rode along the coast then to Merryhatton, and looped back through Haddington (42 miles). The fitness group went to Whitmuir via Carrington and Mount Lothian, back by Macbiehill, the moor road and Roslin (53 miles). Fitness-plus went out through Penicuik and the Lyne Valley to Peebles, back by Eddleston and Carrington (59 miles).

Wednesday 8th – mid-week intermediate ride to Rosewell via Newlandrig and Carrington, back by Roslin and the cycle path (33 miles).

Saturday 11th – gravel ride along the south of the Forth, including the Dalmeny and Hopetoun estates (43 miles).

Sunday 12th – the inters group went through Longniddry and Binning Wood to Tyninghame, back by East Linton and Samuelston (49 miles). Inters-plus riders looped round by Carlops and Macbiehill to Whitmuir, then back by Gladhouse, Carrington and Dalkeith (51 miles). The fitness-plus group rode via Heriot to Stow, over the hill to Lauder and back by Soutra (55 miles).

Wednesday 15th – mid-week intermediate ride to Humbie via Fa’side and Fala, back by East Saltoun and Tranent (38 miles).

Sunday 19th – the fitness ride went to Linlithgow via Colinton and Ratho, back by Queensferry and Cramond (53 miles). The inters-plus group went to Soutra via the Granites, back by Cousland (50 miles). The intermediate group went to Gifford via East Saltoun, back by Longniddry (42 miles). The fitness-plus group rode through Dalkeith and Gladhouse to Whitmuir, then back by Penicuik (53 miles).

Wednesday 22nd – mid-week intermediate ride to Haddington via Aberlady, back by Pencaitland (36 miles).

Saturday 25th – gravel ride into East Lothian, taking in Saltoun Big Wood, Humbie and a field full of cows (38 miles).

Sunday 26th – the fitness and fitness-plus groups went to Bostock bakery in East Linton – fitness-plus going a slightly longer way round via Gifford and West Barns, fitness via West Saltoun and Morham, then direct routes home (53/52 miles). Inters-plus went through Gifford to Tyninghame, then via Whitekirk to North Berwick and back by Aberlady and the coast (53 miles). The inters took a winding route through the Saltouns to Haddington, back by the railway crossing and Prestonpans (43 miles).

March 2023

Wednesday 1st – mid-week intermediate ride through Crichton and Carrington to Rosewell, back by Dalkeith (37 miles).

Sunday 5th – the inters-plus group rode via Carrington and the Meldons to Whitmuir, then (after an extended mechanical) back by the moor road and Roslin (58 miles). The intermediates did a similar route, but shorter and in reverse: out over the moor, back by Gladhouse (53 miles). The fitness-plus group rode down to Innerleithen via the Meldons, Cademuir and Traquair, back over the Granites (72 miles).

Wednesday 8th – mid-week intermediate ride along the coast to Aberlady, coffee at Merryhatton, back past Haddington (41 miles).

Saturday 11th – gravel ride west taking in the Cammo estate, Craigend, the Hopetoun estate and the Dalmeny estate (46 miles).

Sunday 12th – the fitness-plus route was over the Granites to Innerleithen, via Traquair to Peebles, back by Lamancha and Leadburn (73 miles). Fitness riders went out on the Lang Whang, then through West Calder and Addiewell to Bathgate, back by Winchburgh and Cramond Brig (68 miles). Inters-plus went direct to Whitekirk, looped round by West Barns and Pitcox, then back by East Linton and Morham (58 miles). The inters road along the coast road to Aberlady, then looped round by Whitekirk and East Fortune before re-joining the coast road home (46 miles).

Wednesday 15th – mid-week intermediate ride mostly along the coast with a loop inland to Merryhatton (37 miles).

Sunday 19th – the inters went to Whitmuir via Gladhouse, back by Macbiehill and Roslin (51 miles). Inters-plus riders rode round the Pentlands: out on the Lang Whang, coffee at West Linton, back by the moor road (65 miles). A small fitness group also went to West Linton, but got there via the Meldons, back through Carrington (67 miles). The fitness-plus group went over the Forth Bridge to Dunfermline for a loop round by Dollar and the Cleish Hills (80 miles).

Wednesday 22nd – mid-week intermediate ride to Gifford via Ormiston and the Saltouns, back by Samuelston and Tranent (40 miles).

Saturday 25th – gravel ride in East Lothian taking in Carberry, Winton, Butterdean and the Haddington-Longniddry railway path (41 miles).

Sunday 26th – the intermediates rode to Tyninghame via Aberlady and Whitekirk, back via Haddington and Port Seton (50 miles). The inters-plus group did a meandering route to Gifford via Dalkeith country park, Carrington, Crichton glen and Humbie, back by Haddington (58 miles). A combined fitness/F+ ride went onto the Lammermuirs via Luggate and Nunraw, down the Rig to Gifford and back by Humbie and Crichton (66 miles).

Wednesday 29th – mid-week intermediate ride through Haddington to Gifford, back through the Saltouns (40 miles).

April 2023

Sunday 2nd – the fitness group went out through Mayfield, Crichton, Humbie and the Biel estate to Tyninghame, back by Aberlady, the Yak and Tranent (71 miles). The inters group did a similar route to Tyninghame, but starting through the Saltouns and a more direct ride home via Hailes and Samuelston (58 miles). The inters-plus group went over the Granites to Innerleithen, back by Heriot and Pathhead (60 miles). Fitness-plus went direct to Spott, over Crystal Rig to Whiteadder, down to Gifford and back through Humbie (67 miles).

Wednesday 5th – mid-week intermediate ride via Bangly Brae and Haddington to Gifford, back through East Saltoun (41 miles).

Saturday 8th – gravel ride through the Pentlands (38 miles)

Sunday 9th – the inters-plus group rode through Crichton then down the coach road from Heriot to Stow, over the moor to Lauder, then back by the A68 (56 miles). An unusually small inters group went up Bangley Brae to Haddington then via the monument to East Linton and back via Whitekirk and Drem (49 miles). The fitness-plus group went through Humbie, Gifford and Stenton to Dunbar, direct back via Athelstaneford (60 miles). Numbers were reduced by the Easter holidays, and there was no fitness group.

Wednesday 12th – mid-week intermediate ride through Haddington and Bolton to Humbie, direct back through Cousland (37 miles).

Sunday 16th – the fitness group rode south over the Granites to Innerleithen, then via Cardrona to Kailzie for coffee, back by Peebles and Gladhouse (69 miles). Fitness-plus did a very similar route the other way around, including the Meldons (69 miles). The inters-plus group rode via Haddington and Garvald onto the moors, down the Rig to Gifford, then direct back (51 miles). The intermediates looped through Samuelston and Blegbie to the Soutra cafe, back by Pathhead (46 miles).

Wednesday 19th – mid-week intermediate ride to Gifford via Tranent, back through Port Seton (40 miles).

Friday 21st – the first-ever Friday ride went to Gifford, via Fala and Longyester, back by Samuelston (47 miles)

Saturday 22nd – gravel ride in East Lothian, including roads and trails around Gifford, Bolton and the Saltouns (41 miles).

Sunday 23rd – the fitness group rode through Carrington and Middleton to Heriot, down the coach road to Stow, over to Lauder, and back by Carfraemill, Soutra and Humbie (63 miles). Fitness-plus riders did a convoluted East Lothian loop to East Linton via the Saltouns, Humbie and Gifford, back by North Berwick (73 miles). The intermediates went a direct route to the Smeaton cafe, then uphill to Stenton and back through Morham (52 miles). There was no inters-plus group.

Wednesday 26th – mid-week intermediate ride to Tyninghame: out through Athelstaneford, back by Hailes and Samuelston (44 miles).

Friday 28th – Friday ride to Gifford via Pencaitland and Humbie, back via Longyester and East Saltoun (46 miles).

Sunday 30th – on a drizzly day, the fitness and fitness-plus rides did similar rides south-west to Broughton – fitness-plus going a slightly longer route via West Linton and Biggar, and fitness going over Dreva to Dawyck; both went back over the Meldons and home through Carrington (76/69 miles). The inters-plus group went via Gifford and West Barns to Tyninghame, direct back through Athelstaneford (57 miles). The intermediates went to Gifford through Pencaitland and Humbie, back through Morham and Samuelston (52 miles).

May 2023

Wednesday 3rd – mid-week intermediate ride to Humbie (43 miles). Evening training ride via Gifford and Haddington (44 miles).

Sunday 7th – the fitness group rode over the Granites to Innerleithen then via the Elibank road and Clovenfords to Stow; direct back by the coach road and Crichton (74 miles). The fitness-plus ride went inland via Gifford to Dunbar, back by East Linton and Bangly Brae (64 miles). Inters-plus went over the Meldons to Peebles, back by Blyth Bridge (62 miles). The inters went by Gladhouse to West Linton, back over the moor (55 miles).

Wednesday 10th – mid-week intermediate ride to Merryhatton via the coast road, back to the south of Haddington (41 miles); fast evening training ride.

Sunday 14th – the fitness-plus group went via Lauder and Earlston to Melrose, back by Stow and the coach road (74 miles). The inters-plus and inters groups did similar routes the opposite ways round: inters-plus the Granites and Soutra, inters Soutra and Granites (49/51 miles). No fitness ride.

Wednesday 17th – mid-week intermediate ride to Tyninghame via Haddington, direct back by Athelstaneford (47 miles); fast evening training ride over the Granites, back by Crichton (43 miles).

Saturday 20th – gravel ride through Granton, Cramond Brig, the Dalmeny estate, over the Bridge to Inverkeithing, back by Ratho and the canal (43 miles).

Sunday 21st – the fitness and fitness-plus rides both went direct to Gifford, up the Rig and past Whiteadder reservoir. Fitness returned over Crystal Rig to Spott and Tyninghame; F+ continued to Grantshouse and back alongside the A1 and past Dunbar (67/84 miles). The intermediate ride went to Gladhouse, over to Humbie and direct back (48 miles), The intermediate-plus group rode over the Meldons then via the Lyne Valley to Whitmuir and back by Penicuik (59 miles).

Wednesday 24th – mid-week intermediate ride via Roslin Glen to Rosewell, then back by Carrington and Newbattle (36 miles). Plus a fast evening training ride.

Sunday 28th – Edinburgh Marathon day, and the fitness-plus group did a monster ride over Talla via Gladhouse and the Meldons, back by the Gordon Arms, Innerleithen and the Granites (100 miles). The fitness group went over the Forth Bridge and then round Loch Leven, taking in Kelty and Lochgelly, back by a similar route (70 miles and 4 punctures). Inters-plus went up the Rig, down to Garvald, over to Gifford for coffee and direct back (55 miles). Intermediate riders rode through Tranent to Gifford, over to the House of Soutra, then back via Edgehead (45 miles).

Wednesday 31st – mid-week intermediate ride via Haddington to Gifford, back by Longyester (40 miles); evening training ride via Gifford to Haddington, up and down the Yak and back by Elphinstone (42 miles).

June 2023

Saturday 3rd – gravel ride in East Lothian, taking in Carberry, Butterdean wood, Bolton muir wood, the railway path; cafe stop in Gifford (42 miles).

Sunday 4th – the inters-plus group rode via Gifford and Spott to Dunbar, back through East Linton, the Yak and Bangly Brae (59 miles). The fitness-plus (and fitness) group did a longer version of the same route, going up the Rig and down to Garvald (71 miles). The intermediates went via Haddington to Tyninghame, back through Aberlady (53 miles).

Wednesday 7th – mid-week intermediate ride to Tyninghame via Aberlady, back by Biel and Haddington (48 miles); evening training ride up Fa’side, then via Humbie and the Yak to the coast (38 miles).

Sunday 11th – the fitness group went via Edgehead and Heriot to Innerleithen, along the cycle path to Cardrona, coffee in Peebles, back by the cycle-path to Eddleston, Carrington and Dalkeith (67 miles). The inters-plus group did a shortened route after one rider hit a pothole and damaged rim and tyre: Gifford, Haddington then direct back (42 miles). The inters group went up the Granites, left to Heriot for coffee and a twisty route back by Crichton (52 miles). Fitness-plus went up Redstone Rig, then Crystal Rig, down to Dunbar, then back – not helped by a broken freehub at the top of Crystal Rig.

Wednesday 14th – mid-week intermediate ride, a skinny loop to Tyninghame (47 miles); evening training ride, another skinny loop taking in Aberlady (38 miles).

Friday 16th to Sunday 18th June – the Portovelo weekender, based at the Smugglers Youth Hostel in Tomintoul, in beautiful sunshine. Some rode up from Dundee via Cairn O’Mount and the Lecht (96 miles), others from Aviemore (27 miles), while the rest drove. On Saturday, two main groups did clockwise loops to the east, ending with the climb up the Lecht (20% max). The intermediate group went up Glen Avon to Dufftown, over to Huntly, down to Towie and then west to the Lecht (85 miles). A small inters-plus group added on extensions to Keith and Alford via Suie Hill (101 miles). The fitness-plus group rode south-east from Dufftown over Suie to Aboyne, along Royal Deeside to Crathie and north to the Lecht (106 miles). On Sunday, the inters group went west over Bridge of Brown, looped round by Grantown-on-Spey, Boat of Garten, Nethy Bridge then back over Bridge of Brown (51 miles). The fitness/fitness-plus group went north to Marypark, rode down the north bank of the Spey to Grantown, down to Nethy Bridge and back by Bridge of Brown (51 miles).

Sunday 18th – Back at base, a small intermediate group rode via Aberlady and Whitekirk to Tyninghame, back by East Linton and Haddington (55 miles). A 2-man fitness/fitness+ group went over the Granites to Innerleithen, along to Peebles and back by Eddleston and Carrington (68 miles).

Wednesday 21st – mid-week intermediate ride to Haddington via Aberlady, back through the Saltouns and Tranent (44 miles). Also, evening training ride via Humbie to Soutra, back by Heriot and Crichton (41 miles).

Sunday 25th – the fitness group went to Whitmuir via Gladhouse, then back by Callands, West Linton and the Roslin-Shawfair cycle path (63 miles). The fitness-plus group went via Garvald to Duns, back by Longformacus and Gifford (77 miles). The inters-plus group went via Humbie and Soutra to Heriot, back over the Granites (52 miles). The day after Ride to the Sun, it was an unusually small intermediate group that went to Gifford via the Saltouns, back by Samuelston and Aberlady (37 miles).

Wednesday 28th – mid-week intermediate ride to Gifford, back through Tranent (35 miles), plus evening training ride.

July 2023

Saturday 1st – gravel ride via Colinton to the Pentlands, back through Shawfair (36 miles).

Sunday 2nd – The intermediates rode down to Waterheads, then cut over by Shiplaw and Macbiehill to Whitmuir and back over the moor road (48 miles).The inters-plus group started the same way but went over the Meldons and round by the Lyne Valley (59 miles). The fitness-plus group started the same way, but went left after the Meldons – round by Cademuir, along to Innerleithen and back through Heriot (76 miles). Two fitness riders (barely a group) did the Two Bridges: out through the centre of Edinburgh, Kirkliston and Bo’ness to the Kincardine Bridge, back through Culross, Charlestown and the Forth Road Bridge (70 miles).

Wednesday 5th – mid-week intermediate ride to Tyninghame (50 miles), evening training ride to Gladhouse (40 miles).

Sunday 9th – The intermediate group rode through Roslin Glen to Gladhouse and Rosebery reservoirs, back by Middleton and Humbie (50 miles). The intermediate-plus group rode to Dunbar (61 miles). One fitness-plus group rode over the Granites to Kailzie, back by Peebles and the moor road (72 miles); another carried on south from Innerleithen to Moffat, back by the Devil’s Beeftub and the Meldons (118 miles).

Wednesday 12th – mid-week intermediate ride to Gorebridge via Roslin Glen, back through Dalkeith country park (35 miles); evening ride to Longniddry then Bolton (37 miles).

Saturday 15th – gravel ride to the Hopetoun estate, taking in the Dalmeny estate and Cramond Brig (37 miles).

Sunday 16th – The intermediate-plus group went to Whitmuir via Gladhouse, back by Macbiehill, Penicuik and Dalkeith (61 miles). The intermediates looped round by Gladsmuir and Stenton to Gifford, direct back through the Saltouns. A combined fitness/fitness-plus group went through West Linton and Broughton to Dawyck, then back by the Meldons and Gladhouse (75 miles).

Wednesday 19th – mid-week intermediate ride to Humbie via Crichton, back through the Saltouns (38 miles); evening ride to Gifford, back through Haddington to the coast road (38 miles).

Sunday 23rd – holiday-time and wet, so reduced numbers. A combined intermediate/plus group took an inland route to Tyninghame, returning by Whitekirk and Aberlady (53 miles). A combined fitness/plus group went via Gifford to Dunbar, back through Haddington and Tranent (65 miles).

Wednesday 26th – mid-week intermediate ride through Crichton and Temple to Rosewell, back by the Roslin-Shawfair cycle path (35 miles); evening training ride.

Saturday 29th – gravel ride,

Sunday 30th – The intermediates rode via Humbie to Gifford, back by the Saltouns and Tranent (39 miles). The intermediate-plus group (with a couple of fitness riders tagging along) went to Linlithgow via Currie, Ratho and Beecraigs, back through Philpstoun and Cramond with a cafe stop at Craigie’s (55 miless. The fitness-plus ride was also out west, skirting Bo’ness to California, back by Linlithgow and Kirkliston (71 miles).

August 2023

Wednesday 2nd – mid-week intermediate ride to Humbie via Fala, back by Gladsmuir (39 miles); evening ride to Gifford, back by Haddington and the Saltouns (40 miles).

Sunday 6th – the intermediate group went via Loanhead and Temple to the Granites, cafe stop at Heriot and back by Soutra and Humbie (54 miles) – while a few intermediate riders went to Holyrood Park to see the World Championship road race start, then looped out to Humbie (39 miles). The fitness group went round by Tynehead, Humbie and Stenton to Tyninghame, back by Fenton Barns and the coast road (67 miles). Inters-plus riders went down the coach road to Stow, over the moor to Lauder and back over Soutra (56 miles). The fitness-plus group went to Garvald, up to Whiteadder, then some went over Crystal Rig while others rode via Duns to the Union Chain Bridge and back by Berwick-upon-Tweed and Cockburnspath (68/117 miles).

Wednesday 9th – mid-week intermediate ride that traced a skinny figure-8 to Haddington (47 miles); evening training ride through Humbie and over the Gilston/Soutra road, back by Pathhead (43 miles).

Saturday 12th – gravel ride in the Pentlands.

Sunday 13th – the intermediate group did an East Lothian loop taking in Humbie, Gifford and Papple (56 miles), while the intermediate-plus group went to Whitmuir via Penicuik and Lamancha, back by Gladhouse and Dalkeith (50 miles). The fitness and fitness-plus rides went clockwise round the Pentlands, stopping at Carnwath and Biggar respectively (74/75 miles).

Wednesday 16th – mid-week intermediate ride to Whitkirk Hill, starting on the coast road, returning inland (46 miles); evening training ride along the coast to Longniddry, back inland by Gladsmuir and Tranent (25 miles).

Sunday 20th – the fitness and fitness-plus groups met up at the Kailzie cafe, mid-way round similar routes in opposite directions. Fitness went clockwise, Granites first, back by Gladhouse; F+ went anti-clockwise, Meldons first, back over the Granites (70 miles). Inters-plus went to Innerleithen via the coach road and Clovenfords, back over the Granites (66 miles). The inters went via Pathhead and Haddington to Tyninghame, direct back (55 miles).

Wednesday 23rd – mid-week intermediate ride through Aberlady to Merryhatton, back by Haddington and Tranent (42 miles); evening training ride via the Saltouns and Bolton to the Yak (39 miles).

Sunday 27th – the fitness group visited (or, at least, rode past) 10 castles: Craigmillar, Dalhousie, Borthwick, Crichton, Lennoxlove, Hailes, Tantallon, Dirleton, Redhouse and Fa’side (77 miles). The F+ group went over the Forth Bridge, north to Dollar, across to Milnathort, then south over the Cleish hills to the bridge again (84 miles). Inters-plus riders went via Ormiston and Crichton to Heriot, then down the Granites and back by Temple and Roslin glen (56 miles), while the intermediate group rode through Haddington and East Linton to Tyninghame, back by Whitekirk, Fenton Barns and the coast road (56 miles).

Wednesday 30th – mid-week intermediate rid through Dalkeith and Carrington to Rosewell, back by the cycle path to Shawfair (29 miles); evening training ride (last of the year), a figure-8 by Gifford, Haddington and the Saltouns (40 miles).

September 2023

Sunday 3rd – the fitness-plus group rode via the Meldons to Talla, along to the Gordon Arms and back by Innerleithen and the Granites (101 miles). The fitness group went to Dawyck via the Meldons, back by the Lyne valley and the moor road (67 miles). The inters-plus ride was to Dunbar via Longniddry and Morham, back by East Linton and Tranent (55 miles). The intermediate group rode via Haddington to Spott, over Crystal Rig and down Redstone Rig, back by the Saltouns (63 miles).

Wednesday 6th – mid-week intermediate ride was a loop through Pathhead, Fala, Humbie and Pencaitland (40 miles).

Saturday 9th – gravel ride into East Lothian taking in Fa’side, Winton wood, paths in Haddington, the railway path to Longniddry and a section of John Muir Way (31 miles).

Sunday 10th – A combined fitness and fitness-plus group did a century ride: over the Granites to Innerleithen, then over Paddy Slacks, Berrybush and the Ashkirk hill to Selkirk, back by Clovenfords and the coach road (109 miles). The intermediate-plus group did a shorter version of the same route, going from Innerleithen to Clovenfords by the Elibank road (68 miles). The inters went to Gifford by a winding route, taking in Pencaitland, back through Samuelston and Prestonpans (51 miles).

Wednesday 13th – mid-week intermediate ride to East Linton via Bangley and Athelstaneford, home via Traprain and Pencaitland (43 miles).

Sunday 17th – East Lothian loops all round. The inters group went to Tyninghame via Morham and West Barns, back by E Fortune and Aberlady (55 miles). Inters-plus riders went to East Linton then to Gifford and direct back (45 miles). A combined Fitness/F+ group rode up Carberry, then via Morham and Pitcox to Dunbar, back by Athelstaneford and Longniddry (63 miles).

Saturday 23rd – gravel ride in East Lothian, taking in Gifford, the Saltouns and Carberry (42 miles).

Sunday 24th – the fitness group went via Crichton glen, Middleton and Romanno Bridge to W Linton, back by the moor road and the Shawfair cycle path (63 miles). The fitness-plus group rode over the Meldons to Peebles, stopped at Kailzie, then back by Innerleithen and Heriot (72 miles). A combined Inters/Inters+ group did a century ride: south through West Linton to Dawyck, over Tala to the Gordon Arms, back by Innerleithen and the Granites (102 miles).

Wednesday 27th – mid-week intermediate ride via Pencaitland to Gifford and direct back (35 miles).

October 2023

Sunday 1st – the fitness group took the cycle path to Roslin then via Carlops and Elsrickle to the Big Red Barn, back by Blyth Bridge, Leadburn and Carrington (67 miles). Inters-plus riders rode through Haddington and Garvald, up onto the Lammermuirs, down the Rig to Gifford and direct back (50 miles). The fitness-plus ride was over Sutra to Gordon, across to Earlston, then back by Lauder, Stow and the coach road (78 miles). The inters went past Gladhouse, over to Lamancha and Whitmuir, then back by the moor and the cycle path to Shawfair (49 miles).

Wednesday 4th – mid-week intermediate ride along the coast then via Kingston to Haddington and direct back (42 miles).

Sunday 8th – on a very wet day, a combined Fitness/F+ group went through Gladsmuir, Papple and Spott to Dunbar, back by Tyninghame and Aberlady (60 miles). A combined intermediate/inters+ group rode to Gifford via West Saltoun and Bolton, back by Morham and Samuelson (47 miles).

Wednesday 11th – mid-week intermediate ride to Haddington via Aberlady, back through the Saltouns (44 miles).

Sunday 15th – The intermediate group went to Humbie. The intermediate-plus group went to Dunbar via Whitecraig, back by Stenton and Samuelston (56 miles). The fitness group rode via West Calder to Linlithgow, then a loop around Beecraigs and back by Kirkliston (61 miles). The fitness-plus ride went to Biggar, back by the Lang Whang (74 miles).

Wednesday 18th – mid-week intermediate ride to Gifford (38 miles).

Sunday 22nd – the fitness group rode south by Gladhouse and over the Meldons, round Cademuir hill to Peebles, back by Leadburn and Dalkeith (64 miles). The fitness-plus group went to Bathgate via Balerno and West Calder, back by Linlithgow and Kirkliston (70 miles). The inters started on the coast road, then rode via Whitekirk to Tyninghame, back by Morham and Bolton (54 miles).

Wednesday 25th – mid-week intermediate ride to Merryhatton via Aberlady, back by Gladsmuir (42 miles).

Sunday 29th – on a wet and windy day, the intermediate group went along the coast then inland to Merryhatton, back by Samuelson and Tranent (38 miles). A fitness/fitness-plus group rode via Gifford and Garvald to the Bostock Bakery (East Linton), direct back (48 miles).

November 2023

Wednesday 1st – mid-week intermediate ride – a skinny figure-8 to Gifford (38 miles).

Saturday 4th – gravel ride into East Lothian, taking in the River Esk path, the railway path, Saltoun Big Wood and Butterdean wood (34 miles).

Sunday 5th – a small fitness group rode along the coast, then inland to East Linton, via Hailes Castle and Beech Hill to Gifford, via Bolton to Haddington, then home by Pencaitland, the ford road and Carberry (62 miles). A one-man fitness-plus ride went over the Meldons, round Cademuir hill, over to Innerleithen and back over the Granites (74 miles). The inters-plus group ride via Gifford and East Linton to North Berwick, back along the coast road (51 miles). The intermediates went through Dalkeith and Temple to Humbie, back by Pencaitland and Tranent (42 miles).

Wednesday 8th – mid-week intermediate ride to Gifford via Humbie, back by Tranent (36 miles).

Sunday 12th – the intermediate group rode to Smeaton via West Saltoun and Haddington, back by Athelstaneford and the railway crossing (52 miles). The intermediate-plus group rode along the coast to Aberlady then via Kingston to East Linton, back by Hailes and Samuelston (49 miles). The fitness group rode down the coach road to Stow, over to Lauder and back by Carfraemill, Humbie and East Saltoun (63 miles). No fitness-plus ride.

Wednesday 15th – mid-week intermediate ride via Port Seton to Haddington, back by Pencaitland (32 miles).

Saturday 18th – the gravel group got a train to Aberdour and did an anti-clockwise Fife loop along the coast to Kirkcaldy, then back inland via Loch Gelly, Auchtertool and Cullaloe woods (27 miles).

Sunday 19th – low numbers, so only two groups. The intermediate group rode via Humbie to Gifford, looped round the back of Gifford and home via Samuelston (46 miles). The fitness group went up the cycle path to Roslin, then via Leadburn, the Meldons and Romannobridge to Whitmuir, back by Macbiehill, the moor road and Penicuik (59 miles).

Wednesday 22nd – mid-week intermediate ride to Gifford via Longniddry, back through Haddington and Tranent (40 miles).

Sunday 26th – the intermediates rode through Aberlady and Tyninghame to Merryhatton, back by Athelstaneford and Bangly Brae (49 miles). The intermediate-plus group also started along the coast to Aberlady, then went south via Humbie, over the Soutra/Gilston road and back by Crichton and Carberry (54 miles). The fitness group went south to Peebles via Mount Lothian and Eddleston, along to Innerleithen and back over the Granites (67 miles). The fitness-plus ride went via East Saltoun, Gifford and Pitcox to North Berwick, back by Kingston and Aberlady (60 miles).

Wednesday 29th – mid-week intermediate ride to Whitekirk hill, out through Aberlady and Kingston, back by Athelstaneford and Bangly Brae (45 miles).

December 2023

Sunday 3rd – very cold, and a single group of four rode along the coast road to North Berwick and back (38 miles).

Wednesday 6th – still cold and icy, and a group of three reportedly got 100 yards down the road before deciding to cancel the ride (0.2 miles).

Sunday 10th – the fitness-plus and fitness groups did near-identical routes up the Granites, over to Heriot, then via Gilston to the Soutra cafe and home via Humbie (50 miles). A combined inters/inters-plus group rode via Tranent and Pencaitland to Humbie, direct back (31 miles).

Wednesday 13th – mid-week intermediate ride to Tyninghame to present the cafe of the year award (45 miles).

Saturday 16th – gravel ride involving a clockwise loop taking in Newcraighall, Roslin Glen, the Pentlands, Bonaly and the Water of Leith (37 miles).

Sunday 17th – a wet and windy day, and just two groups: an intermediate group that went to Humbie via Fala, back by Pencaitland (37 miles); and a fitness/fitness-plus group that went to Whitmuir via Gorebridge and Mount Lothian, back by Macbiehill and the moor road (50 miles).

Wednesday 20th – mid-week intermediate ride to Gifford via Haddington, back by the Saltouns (40 miles).

Sunday 24th – another wet and windy day and again just two groups. The small fitness group rode through the city to Currie, then via Ratho to Linlithgow, back by Winchburgh and Cramond (50 miles). An intermediate/inters-plus group went to Humbie via Crichton and Fala, back through the Saltouns (41 miles).

Wednesday 27th – mid-week intermediate ride via Samuelston to Gifford, direct back by Pencaitland (34 miles).

Sunday 31st – a combined fitness/F+ group rode to Tyninghame via Tranent, Gifford and Haddington, then back to East Linton for an open cafe, and home through Athelstaneford (54 miles). The inters-plus group did a similar route to Tyninghame, then on to Whitekirk Hill and home by the coast road (59 miles). The intermediates went to Gifford via Haddington, back by Bolton and Pencaitland (41 miles).