Weekend trips and Day rides
Great cycle routes using roads, tracks and paths
Inaugural Ride
Sunday 24th March 2024
Welcome to the first ride of the season.
Meet at the Crammond Brig at 10.30am. Cycle to South Queensferry via the Dalmeny Estate. Continue Westwards to Abercorn Church then the cycle route to Blackness 12m.
Lunch at the Lobster Pot in Blackness.
Return via Philptoun and Kirkliston to Crammond Brig. 15m
The lunch is an opportunity for folk to meet and chat after the winter break. You are welcome to arrive by a different route if that suits you better, but please book the lunch via me (Tiana)
If interested please email Tiana onLunch in East Calder
Saturday 6th April 2024
We will set off at 10.30 at the entrance to Roseburn Park in Roseburn Place. The route goes via the Gyle and Ratho. I have booked lunch for 10 at Grapes Village pub in East Calder.
Home via KIrknewton and Currie. 32 miles.
Please bring a repair kit, waterproofs, snacks and a map.
Send Barbara an email if you would like to come
Borders Day Ride
Sat 4th May 2024
A circular route from Tweedbank Station . (26 miles approx.) Trains every half hour from Waverley (8:12, 8:43, 9:13).Train journey to Tweedbank is an hour. Tweedbank Station is two miles from Melrose (well signposted). It isn't possible to book bike places in advance on the train.
We will leave from MELROSE ABBEY CAR PARK, Buccleuch Street at 10:30. Eden House Cafe is situated beside the car park if folk want to grab a coffee before we head off.
We will head out past Trimontium, Leaderfoot Bridge to Scots View, down past Dryburgh Abbey/Chain Bridge to Newtown St Boswells, Bowden Village, Selkirk and back to Tweedbank Train Station via Abbotsford House and Boleside.
Let Eibhlin know if you’re interested
Hawkshead
Date tbc
Please don't contact anyone before date is fixed
Loop from Oxenholme
A loop from Oxenholme, staying at the Hawkshead YHA hostel. It could easily be extended to Monday for those who can stay an extra day. The two segments are:
• South to Grange-over-Sands, turning north to approach the hostel through Grizedale Forest: 32 miles + 500 m climbing
• Crossing the ferry and riding to Staveley and Garnett Bridge for a tour of Postman Pat's valley (Longsleddale) before returning to Oxenholme station: 36 miles + 700 m climbing.
These routes avoid the tourist honeypots of the Lake District as far as possible, except for Hawkshead itself. However, some roads may be busy at the weekend and steep hills cannot be avoided.
Aberdeenshire Castles and Cake
Thurs 13th - Sun 16th June 2024
Sorry, this ride is currently full
Four day (three night) trip in Aberdeenshire visiting a castle each day. Limited to 8 people.
Day 1 Train to Aberdeen. Cycle to Banchory via Drum Castle 22m
Day 2 Banchory to Balleter via Crathes Castle 32m
Day 3 Ballater to Alford via Cragievar 40m
Day 4 Alford to Inverurie via Castle Fraser. 25m Train home.
This 4 day ride follows the Deeside Way railway track west from Aberdeen and then north/north east on small roads terminating in Inverurie for the train back to Aberdeen and home.
Accommodation has been reserved for up to 8 people in Banchory (B&B in hotel), Ballater (hostel) and Alford (B&B in hotel) with prices around £35 to £50. We could self-cater in Ballater but would need to buy an evening meal in Banchory and Alford. Bike storage is available at each place.
Distances are around 25-40 miles per day, giving us time to visit a castle each day (Drum, Crathes, Craigievar and Castle Fraser) which are all owned by the National Trust for Scotland so are free with membership, including free tours (depending on timing). They all have lovely gardens/grounds and good cafes for snacks or lunch. Hourly trains (Scotrail) run between Edinburgh and Aberdeen.
If interested please email Elaine on
Western Isles
Sat 22nd– Sun 30th June 2024
Sorry, this ride is currently full
A two-centre holiday based near Tarbert in Harris and Callanish in West Lewis, travelling via Ullapool and Stornoway. Sorry, this tour is already full because of the difficulties in finding accommodation for groups.
The contact is John on
Dalwhinnie
Fri 5th - Sun 7th July 2024
Two nights (5/6 July) at The Old Schoolhouse hostel Dalwhinnie (next to the station). I have booked the 6 bed bunk room - £55-60 for the two nights.
The plan is on Saturday 6th to cycle the lovely NCR 7 up towards Aviemmore passing Ruthven Barracks, perhaps having lunch at Loch an Eilein, returning the same way.
On Sunday cycle to Pitlochry on NCR 7 (31 miles or Perth if individuals wish to do so) for a train home. There are 3 direct trains to Dalwhinnie on 5th, the last arrving at 10pm in good time for hostel check in. Currently all have at least two spaces.
If you are interested in coming along please contact Sandie on
Pitlochry
Sat 20th - Sun 21st July 2024
Accommodation
There is currently one female space left for this weekend. There are also currently (late March) two beds available in the male dorm and two available in the female dorm.
Four bunk beds in a four-bunk bed room and two singles in a twin room. We have a request for one of the single beds in the twin room to avoid the bunks and anyone else similarly minded will need to negotiate. That room costs £37.50 per bed.
The bunk room (en-suite) is £31 per bed.
I’ve made and paid for the bookings with free cancellation by 17 July. There’s also one bed free just now and I don’t want to carry that unnecessary expense.
Judging by the bookings generally, the hostel should be busy. With the convenience of free late cancellations maybe some people won’t follow through with their bookings.
Train
Train reservations are not yet available for this date. A bike reservation is compulsory. Bookings open around two months ahead of time. I’ll keep an eye on the bookings opening. Please try to travel as early as possible so we can get on the road. There should be time to leave a pannier at the hostel if needed.
At the minute the only sensible train (unless you’re a very early bird) is the 08:37 from Waverley to arrive Pitlochry at 10:32. For the return journey there’s a 17:03 from Dunkeld and a 18:03 from Pitlochry with a change at Stirling.
I had thought of travelling up the night before but the only bed available is the dedicated single room and at £53 it’s a bit too expensive.
Route
A re-run of a weekend we had in 2017 which was great fun and lovely scenery.
Saturday morning to Queens View (no cafe these days) and lunch at Kinloch Rannoch and return to Pitlochry on south side Loch Tummnel. Dinner in Pitlochry, which might be late.
Sunday early as possible to ride to Moulin, Kirk Michael and Blairgowrie and lunch at Cateran cafe. Then cycle to Dunkeld for earlier train or back to Pitlochry for later train.
If interested please contact Jan on
Carlisle to Newcastle
Sat 31st August - Sun 1st September 2024
Sorry, this ride is currently full
The route will largely follow Hadrian’s Cycleway/Sustrans Route 72 from Carlisle to Newcastle upon Tyne. The plan is to adapt the route so that we have opportunities to see a few sections of the wall.
Both days will have a distance of about 35 miles with an overnight stop at YHA The Sill, Once Brewed. Three ensuite rooms for two have been booked (£37 members/£40 Non-members). These are ‘typically’ rooms with bunks.
If you're interested in coming on the trip please contact Anna on
Haltwhistle to Alnmouth
Sat 21st - Mon 23rd September 2024
Sorry, this ride is currently full
Train to Haltwhistle. Will need to travel in two groups. First group have coffee while waiting for next group. Then cycle to join NCN68 over the moors to Bellingham for a very late lunch.
Buy food and cycle to Tarset Hostel near Kielder Water. Self-contained Bothy for up to eight people booked. (c.24 miles)
The hostel requires a min of two nights at weekends, so we'll spend Sunday cycling round Kielder Water, enjoying the view, the sculpture trail, and (hopefully) a couple of cafe stops.
On Monday we'll cycle to Alnmouth to catch the train home (c. 45miles). Those with electric bikes may prefer to cycle to Tweedbank (c.55miles)
OS maps 87,80 and 81
If interested please email Tiana on
Borders & North Northumberland
Tues 1st - Wed 2nd October 2024
Please note change of dates
Tuesday: Train to Tweedbank (how early depends on whether you want coffee at Maelrose).
Depart Melrose (Eden cafe) at 10 am. Cycle on mainly minor roads via Dryburgh, Kelso (where we'll have a cafe lunch) and Branxton to Wooler hostel (43 miles)
I have booked six beds @ approx. £30pp
Wednesday: 31 miles to Berwick upon Tweed with a cafe lunch and visit to one or more of the attractions near Ford - make you own choice from the Lady Waterford Hall; Heatherslaw railway / Cornmill; Hay Farm heavy horse cantre; Flodden battle field; Ford Moss reserve or Etal Castle (see www.ford-and-etal.co.uk) Suggest train back after 17.45.
OS maps 73, 74 and 75
Please contact Keith (07810-364-206) for any queries and to book onto the trip.
Borders Day Ride
Sat 12th October 2024
Leaving Eden Coffee House, Melrose at 10:15
Route Length 31 miles approx.
On leaving Melrose, the route will take us past Rhymers Stone to Newtown St Boswells, across the Dryburgh Suspension Bridge past Dryburgh Abbey down to Maxton and then onwards to the Woodside Plant Centre and Cafe where we will stop for a leisurely lunch.
We will return to Melrose via Ancrum and the Eildons.
Trains are hourly (7:13, 8:11 and 9:15) at present from Waverley Station to Tweedbank Station. Its then a 10 minute ride into Melrose.
Please let me (Eibhlin) know on
Loch Katrine
Sat 26th October 2024
This ride is an annual event to mark the end of Summer Time. The route is an anticlockwise loop around Loch Katrine of about 32–38 miles. Last year the forecast was for wind and heavy rain, which was fairly typical, but like the year before turned out much better. It is late October, after all, but there are plenty of cafés for shelter if the forecast is correct.
We will meet at 10.00am at one of the cafés in Aberfoyle. This ride is not practicable without a car unless you are unusually fit so please contact the organiser if you need a lift or can offer one.
The first part is through the forest on good tracks and involves a steepish climb… perfectly permissible to walk. Some people may prefer to stay on tarmac and ride over the Duke’s pass. Both routes climb about 700 feet. The rest of the route is all on tarmac. It takes us down to the east end of Loch Katrine (café for lunch ), around the loch along the Water Board road to Stronachlachar (café for cakes) and from there back to Aberfoyle via Loch Ard.
The road around the loch has several short, steep sections. OS Landranger maps 56 and 57.
Tiana’s account of the 2010 trip on the Past Rides page captures the spirit perfectly.
Although the whole ride can be done on tarmac, parts are likely to be wet and covered with leaves (it’s autumn). Skinny or slick tyres are not really suitable; touring, hybrid or mountain bikes are fine.
If interested please contact John on