We went to Mid Calder, as it was still quite icy and snowy in places after Friday's snow fall, only a smithareen of ice and snow made cycling on cycles paths a smithareen impossible. 14 of us went to Mid Calder in West Lothian, 2 returning from Balerno, leaving 12 of us to make the full return trip.
Beware of the unfamiliar?
A cold start to the day, plus it was also quite breezy, so a short ride today. Friday's snow seemed to have put some people off, which was a shame as it turned out quite nice. As we were heading west, teh wind was n our face. This was made worse by the fact the we had to stick to the roads in Edinburgh. This affected our ride out to Mid Calder and back again.
At Lunch, at the Black Bull, my table chatted about cycle clothing, music, the Royksopp single is "What Else Is There?", films and moisturisers. You can see the Royksopp video, the one with the blonde girl in it, at Video-C, streaming available for Broadband and Narrowband, http://www.video-c.co.uk/dance/micrositedisplayfull.asp?vidref=royk009. If you have a ropey connection, choose progressive streaming. the other Royksopp videos available there are 49 Percent and Only This Moment. The tracks are from the new album The Understanding.
The clouds did leave about lunchtime, a couple of people commented on the fact that it felt quite summery. The snow on the garage roof across the street the only sign that winter is still with us. A check to the bike computer confirmed this, 4 deg C.
The wind that hindered our outward progress assisted us on our return to Edinburgh. It was a fantastic ride, I'll put photos up on the web site this week, along with any I deem fit for publishing from January.
SMITHAREEN, n. A fragment, a decomponent part, a remain." The word is used variously, but in the following verse on a noted female reformer who opposed bicycle-riding by women because it "led them to the devil" it is seen at its best:
"The wheels go round without a sound -- The maidens hold high revel; In sinful mood, insanely gay, True spinsters spin adown the way From duty to the devil! They laugh, they sing, and --ting-a-ling! Their bells go all the morning; Their lanterns bright bestar the night Pedestrians a-warning. With lifted hands Miss Charlotte stands, Good-Lording and O-mying, Her rheumatism forgotten quite, Her fat with anger frying. She blocks the path that leads to wrath, Jack Satan's power defying. The wheels go round without a sound The lights burn red and blue and green. What's this that's found upon the ground? Poor Charlotte Smith's a smithareen!" ~ John William Yope
Warm Regards,
Explore, Dream, Discover
Ride Statistics
Distance:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 57.9km (35.58 miles)
Average Speed:Â Â 17.8 km/h (11.06 mph)
Total Climbing:Â 656m (2152 feet)
Time:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 3 hours 10 minutes
Max. Temp.:Â Â Â Â Â 4 deg C (39.2 deg F) starting at 1 Deg C
Route Description
It started rather cloudy and windy. We travelled through Fountainbridge, along Dundee St, Angle Park Terrace, then followed the A70, Slateford Road / Lanark Road / Lanark Road West out of Edinburgh to Balerno. Here, we turned on to National Cycle Route 75, down Ravelrig Road, turning left on to Long Dalmahoy Road. At the end of Long Dalmahoy Road, we turned left to carryon along Long Dalmahoy Road passing the Kaimes Quarries. We turn off to head up through Kirknewton along Hillhouse Terrace, Hillhouse Crescent, Main Street and Park Terrace. We turned on to the B7031 using the cycle path. We followed this over the level crossing, turning right to keep on the B7031. We crossed over the A71, and carried on down to the East Calder Main Street, the B7015. Because of the icy conditions on off-road paths, we followed the B-road along to Mid-Calder. We had some time to kill as it was only 12:00, so we went down to Almondell Country Park at Mid Calder. Around 12:20 we went up to the Torphichen Inn, but food was not available as the chef had been involved in an accident. So we visited the excellent Black Bull. (A repeat of March 2004?)
After lunch, we headed along the main road to East Calder, where we turn right up Langton Road, turning right at the roundabout to head for Kirknewton. At Ormiston Mains, we turned right on to a minor road heading up towards the Pentlands, the wind was still quite strong. We turned left on to the A70, which we followed, slightly downhill and the wind at our backs, turning right 3km down the road (and about 50 seconds later!!!!) on to a minor road. No one over shot the junction this time. We then passed Haughhead Farm, Water of Leith Ford, Buteland Farm, which Lamia read as Buttland Farm, and Cockburnhill, where there was a small snow shower. At the Riggs, we halted for a while to take in the view of the Pentlands for a few minutes.
We headed east to Marchbank Hotel, turning left to head down to Balerno, Unfortunately, we couldn't use the Malleny Milgate turn off as this also had snow and ice. We carried on to Balerno along Mansfield Road and Bavelaw Road, turning right on to Bridge Street. We took the Lanark Road West back in to Edinburgh, I turned off at Gillespie Rd, to avoid losing too much altitude.