Sunday 3rd July 2022. Meet at 10:00 outside the Usher Hall, Lothian Rd.
This weather forecast is generated by the Met Office Weather Widget
"I would rather ride my bike with a headwind, then to drive my car in heavy traffic on downtown street." ~ Tobias
A great bike ride on the Summer Spokes Ride to the Borders, despite the wind. Thanks to the six people who turned up, not put off by either the weather forecast, heavy rain in the morning, or the prospect of cycling nearly 80 miles. The plus that most of the 'temporary' structures around the Usher Hall have been removed, so the meeting place has a little more room, and at the sunny end too. Not that it was sunny, it was quite dark and breezy. I was hoping that it would brighten up, as it eventually did, we missed the heavy rain, only experiencing a little heavy drizzle at the start.
"Bicycling is a healthy and manly pursuit with much to recommend it, and, unlike other foolish crazes, it has not died out." ~ The Daily Telegraph (1877)
The September Spokes Ride was a wonderful ride to Aberdour in Fife. Thirty Four people turned up, although 2 went to Hopetoun House!! I am pleased that I can rely on assistance from those of you who come on Spokes Rides on a regular basis when there are lots of cyclists. Thank You for the assistance. Most of the rides I lead also have escape routes, enabling those people who are interested in the destination to stay a while longer to explore, or those who feel the morning ride was too much for them to get the train home. I am pleased to say that I later found out most people cycled home. The Aberdour ride is quite short. It is only the perception of cycling from Edinburgh to Fife, that it must be a long way.
"I used to work in a bank when I was younger and to me it doesn’t matter whether it’s raining or the sun is shining or whatever: as long as I’m riding a bike I know I’m the luckiest guy in the world." ~ Mark Cavendish, after the second of his four stage wins in the 2008 Tour de France.
Twenty people turned up for the July Spokes Ride. A cloudy morning, and a drenching, before a quite wonderful trip to the Scottish Borders. As we headed up to Whitheouse Loan, it started raining and we all rushed for waterproofs. Good job too as a few seconds later the heavens opened, and it was like having a big bucket of water on us as we cycled through Morningside. Torrential doesn't even begin to describe the rain, but it didn't last long. By the time we got to Greenbank, the rain was just spits and spots, and at Fairmilehead, stopped completely.
"The riders come out, knights for the tournament, neck to thigh in slippery lycra with the sheen of deep space condoms, faired helmets on their heads like the glans from another galaxy and neoprene pixyboots to slide the air around their feet, mounted on gaudily caparisoned donkeys — the carbon fibre monocoque monoblade." ~ James Waddington, Bad to the Bone
An early start to the July Long Spokes Ride, and a weather forecast for heavy showers, I thought I might be riding alone, but the showers, or threat of them didn't stop 10 people turning up. The ride was shortened to 80km because the wind make cycling slow, one puncture (you can't help these, although this one was due to the inner tube). Worringly, in the afternoon one person wasn't feeling too bright, apparently in the first stages of 'Swine Flu'. No panic there tho', it turned out to be a chesty cold.
"Svmer is icumen in
Lhude sing cuccu!
Groweþ sed and bloweþ med
and springþ þe wde nu.
Sing cuccu!" ~ Sumer is icumen in, Anonymous, written in 1250
Cycling is cheap and fun and, I think, enjoyed best with companions. A cool day saw 15 people go to East Lothian, and return back through Midlothian. The morning didn't start too well, a bit drizzly, which probably put most people off. Fortunately this was the only rain we experienced.
Sun Apr 07 @10:00 - 05:00PM Spokes Ride |
Sat Apr 13 @10:30 - 05:00PM 20-Milers |
Sun May 05 @10:00 - 05:00PM Spokes Ride |
Sat May 11 @10:30 - 05:00PM 20-Milers |
Sun Jun 02 @10:00 - 05:00PM Spokes Ride |
Sat Jun 08 @10:30 - 05:00PM 20-Milers |