Yellow Bracken, Meldon Hills

A morning bike ride on one of my Sunday routes. It was quite busy at the start, and through Penicuik. From there, I took the high moor road to West Linton. There is, as usual, a stiff headwind, so its good to descend in to West Linton. The Extra of Cattle was taken at the top, just before the drop down.

The wind isn't against me for the next part down to the A72, just a vector on my right hand side as I head to Bogbank, then a tailwind, downhill to Romannobridge.  From there along the B road following the Lyne Water, there's a cross wind, which is quite gusty.

The A72 is busier than on a Sunday ride, but its not too bad. Again the gusty wind can be felt at times, either funnelled by the high hills, or buffetting from the occasional lorry heading in the opposite direction. Its good to turn off on to the Stobo road, then the back road to Lyne Station.

Then its back on to the A72, heading west for a short while, before turning right on to the road to Eddleston. This takes me through the Meldon Hills. On north facing slopes, the bracken is already turning yellow. The earlier sunsets are taking its toll. I carry on up and around Hog Knowe, and descend down to Eddleston.

Then its on to the A703. Its quite busy in both directions being a week day. 4km later, I turn right on to the Falla Toll road, up the switchbacks, then flat across the moor to Gladhouse. Nicely wind assisted for the last part past the reservoir and north to the Top Gear road.

Even though I turn west here, the wind is a side wind. It is up and over Mount Lothian, then down to Penicuik through Pomathorn. The last 10km is along the A701, Bush and Seafield Moor Rd to Hillend and Fairmilehead

The whole ride can be seen at Relive here.

In the afternoon, I get the bus down to the bike shop. There's a saleon, so I get some new waterproof gloves, and a long sleeve top. I have a nice walk along the canal for a wee while, before heading up to get a well earned afternoon coffee and cake.