Next Spokes Ride

Sunday 3rd July 2022. Meet at 10:00 outside the Usher Hall, Lothian Rd.

Destination to be decided on Wednesday. Distance will be around 70km (42 miles). Lunch in a café.
 
Please check your bike before the ride, i.e. tyre pressure, chain and brakes. Bring some money for emergencies and café stops and/or post ride refreshments. Don't forget snacks to keep your energy levels up and a drink to consume en-route.
 
Don't forget to bring a small toolkit to fit your bike and a spare inner tube in case you get a puncture. It is much easier to replace the tube than to repair a tube, especially if you have a slow puncture.
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Weather

This weather forecast is generated by the Met Office Weather Widget

 

Weather was near perfect sunny, clear and still, but cold.  We set off as 24? including one Trice and one recumbent.

A GOG
Xmas cheer and mulled wine
New year cheer and mince pies
Spokes run report .

The route was Gilmore Place to the canal then Water of Leith path swap at Lanark Road then to Balerno and up to Bavelaw carpark.  Here one lady asked if that was all the climbing, seeming looking for more - well no we didn't disappoint her. Also here Mike harrison decided that trices would not be the best mode of transport and left to do his own thing.

From there along the Threipmuir and Harlaw reservoirs to the Harlaw Pentland wardens hut and so over the Pentlands to Flotterstone. Total gates 6 one of which thankfully was not locked.  The uphill has a good surface of compacted stone and not too rough.  The downhill was more tricky than anticipated due to being slippery because of the wet.

One person jokingly observed at the start of the descent - if the person in front falls - you get excellent traction on them - later tested? That I heard of 4 people came off, one twice and one fairly spectacularly - but thankfully no injuries and total damage one bag support broken hopefully replaceable - I believe due to giving someone a soft landing.

From Flotterstone where one person left us we went right then down Mauricewood where another left us and to the Craigiebeild Hotel at around 13:15 for a lunch halt - some brave souls started off with sandwiches outdoors?? but joined us later - so far as I know with no problems or complaints.

All but one of us left at around 14;30 going through the square onto the Dalkeith trail. One year on the lock jinx struck the Craigiebeild once more this time one person tied his bike to a tree then found the key was not with him - an improvement on last year when a different person tied his bike to a friend's and found the key was not with him!!!

The trail was bitterly cold. At Auchendinny mill one person was wishing for hills to get some warmth. At this point we split with Max taking the GOG (of 11 I believe) to dalkeith via the countrypark to Whitecraig and home via the Innocent railway. The smaller official? group of 9 went left up the hill to the village then to the Countryside Inn to grant Lamia's wish then past the Bush and right to Seafield Xroads and left to Hillend, Fairmilehead and home via Comiston.

Stats

Left Usher Hall 10:15  Returned  15:45
Distance - Hall to hall Around 27 miles
Time on wheel  2 hours 50 min.
Average  10 mph

Unfortunately my clock does not do height climbed - probably plenty or temperature - chilly at times, probably near zero on the Penicuik trail.

GOG? It isn't often someone wants to go further than the run but on person led the new sub-group - the Going On Group (GOG) must be a candidate for CTC membership. I thought that getting home at 3:45 would be late enough but he added probably 10 - 12 miles to our run getting home - when - does anyone know??? - if so please let me know out of interest.

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