Spokes Ride to East Lothian

Well actually the September Spokes Ride went to Midlothian and East Lothian. Quite a cool morning, and quite breezy too. Rain is forecast for the afternoon, but I am hoping we miss them. We head south out to Fairmilehead then to Loanhead, where we take the Shawfair cycle path as far of Gilmerton Rd, where we take the cycle route to Dalkeith. Some people haven't got lunch, I am hoping that they can get some in the centre. However, no shops seem to open, not even the Subway. Fortunately on the east side of town, there's a small supermarket which is open.

From there, we climb out of Midlothian and in to East Lothian. We are wind assisted up the hill to Fordel Mains, a wee bit on the Humbie road. We have small halt at the old school house at Peaston (Extra 1). We cycle to West Saltoun and Saltoun Big Wood where we have our picnic lunch.

After lunch we head to East Saltoun, then south towards the Lammermuir Hills. the blip is taken near Aikeyside looking towards the hills. The afternoon has warmed up, it's a nice ride through the Newton Hall Estate to Gifford where we have coffee and cake at the Lanterne Rouge.

Time to head back to Edinburgh. We take a sheltered route back to Edinburgh, downhill and high hedges are really good. We head towards Haddington, the east through Samuelston, where a small light rain shower is the only rain we encounter, before reaching Macmerry, and the old A1. A wee climb up to Tranent, which is followed by a long descent to Musselburgh and the River Esk path. This takes us to National Cycle Route 1, which we follow back in to Edinburgh.

The whole ride can be seen at Relive here.