This Spokes Ride had 10 participants and we went to East Lothian. We went to the Craig House Hotel, used to be called the Sweethope House Hotel, near Whitecraig and Inveresk.

We followed the cycle path to Musselburgh, and then took the very wet River Esk Path to Inveresk. We took the old Crookston Road, crossing the A6094 and then up Falside Hill. We then went across fairly easy tracks to Elphinstone. We then took some more tracks, which were rutted to begin with, but soon became more manageable.

It was a fairly easy, but a little muddy when we then took the Pencaitland Railway Path to Crossgatehall to get to the Craig House Hotel for lunch. However, at Backhill, the path was at least 18inches below water. Some of us opted to walk up the hill to the road, 3 brave souls rode through the deep water.

After lunch, we then had a leisurely cycle, in to the wind, on tarmac, through Dalkeith Country Park. We went through Dalkeith to join the Dalkeith – Penicuik cycle path. At Bonnyrigg we headed for home.

To complain about the path, go to the East Lothian Council web site and find details about Access. www.eastlothian.gov.uk is the web address.

Stats

Total Climbing was a small 398m,

average speed of 19.8 km/h, so we were quite fast, helped along, no doubt by the west wind.

Total Distance was 54.6 km