I was away down south, so the ride was led by Mark, with assistance from Neil and Stef. They went to Fala in Midlothian. I was at the Meadows festival aiding my other half. Well summer must be here, I’m cycling in a T-shirt. Some people are wearing even less. Some of you may have heard the ‘outrage’ of the nudist cyclists at the Weekend. That never appeared in the Spokes newsletter did it? Back to normal on the July Ride.

Neil's and Stef's Ride Report

Please come back Stuart – we are truly sorry and didn’t mean whatever it was we said !!! Yes we went to Fala and no we didn’t miss any hills.  We were joined by 3 people I didn’t recognise and I hope we didn’t scare them off. Very pleasant fine but not too hot and a respectable 43 mile for myself from house to house (39 from Hall to house).

Thank you Mark for leading what was a superb run – I knew that Fala was at the top of a hill, I never realised how many you crossed to get there, and we only lost two – temporarily.

They thought we were going via Tesco at Dalkeith – it was mentioned but we missed them at Whitehill, Stef and I did round up recce to no avail but they appeared somewhat late for lunch having taken the A68, more direct and less hilly but very busy, to Fala.

Route for the rest was usher Hall, Meadows, Goods Corner, Gilmerton, Dalkeith via Lugton path, A68 to Mayfield then the ridge road thru Whitehills, to Pathhead, then back roads to the North of the A68 to Fala for a much needed lunch.  Bottles were filled and as a thank you jam was bought in the church hall afterwards.  Return was Humbie, to the top of the Pentcaitland trail, (look for the hidden exit on a steep and fast downhill) – despite the warning 6 overshot it by about ¼ mile. Trail to Crossgatehall, then we split, most followed Mark via Musselburgh for ice cream, six followed me via Smeaton and Dalkeith Country Park then Dalkeith and Gilmerton to head for Morningside, Shandon etc.

Mark's Ride Report

Hopefully everyone's legs have recovered.  T'was as Neil described up to Crossgatehall.  However, going through Inveresk, we noticed the village gardens were open and were selling "teas".  Thus we sat on the lawn of Inveresk Lodge Garden sipping gently and scoffing very generous platefuls of home baking.  Drink and 5 cakes for £2.  They must have planned for our arrival!  Most returned by coastal route to Leith.  However, two of us looked around other gardens - Shepherd House being the highlight, before taking Olive Bank Road and Mucklets Lane into Newcraighall. I returned via the Innocent with 39.9 miles on the clock, an 11mph average and 35 mph max.

Felt good, despite many margaritas and 4 hours sleep the night before.  Sorry no to reply to your message.  I only got in when I turned my phone back on in the evening.

Stats

Left Hall 10:20 Returned to house 16:30
Distance house to house 43.22 miles
Time 3 hours 55min
Average 11.0mph