Edinburgh Hills, Spokes Mince Pie Ride

A ride out to East Lothian for the first ride of the new year and new decade. There are ten people on the ride. Surprisingly clear in the morning. We ride through the Meadws, down Innocent Railway and Milton Road East, which being mainly downhill was pretty easy. We stopped at the Mussel sculpture for a wee bit, then cycled through Musselburgh. We were wind assisted along the coast to Prestonpans. It was inland, and up the gravity railway to Tranent. We take a back route through Tranent avoiding the busy town centre, then head to Ormiston where we stop for a wee while in the centre. The first head wind part of the route meant a less hilly route along the Pencaitland road and up Fordel Mains, and a side wind is better than a head wind. At the top I took the blip photo of the hills near my house. The Pentlands on the left and Braid Hills on the left. Then down to lunch at the Craig House Hotel near Inveresk.

After lunch, a bit of a push required to Shawfair, cycling in to the wind through Old Craighall, on a rough road. where we joined the cycle path to Roslin. The first bit is quite open. It is only when the path starts going up that there is some shelter from the wind. Taking it easy really, we arrive at the top at Lasswade Rd, then follow the path through Loanhead to Roslin. We cycled from Roslin to Fairmilehead via Bush, Seafield Moor Rd and Hillend where post ride festive refreshments were served at my house.

Not too bad apart from the wind. Just over the advertised 35miles.

The whole ride can be seen at Relive here.

A lovely break, shame it has to end. Work tomorrow.