From Brrr To Cor

"To be interested in the changing seasons is a happier state of mind than to be hopelessly in love with spring." - George Santayana

It snowed, and it snowed, winter looked like it was refusing to relinquish its grip on the land. A snowy blanket lay in my back garden as I ventured out. I got to the Usher Hall; three souls were awaiting my arrival, cold and shivering but smiling. By 10:15, there were ten of us. Nero was going to have to wait another month. The Spokes Ride went ahead. The ride started with an exfoliating face rub of ice, but ended in pleasant spring sunshine. Nine people travelled on a bike ride from winter in to spring, via East Lothian and Midlothian. It was certainly a ride where, if you were so inclined, that you could learn to love all the seasons in one day

A Quiet Time

We followed NCN route 1, then Milton Road to Musselburgh harbour. The cold wind was experienced first hand as we cycled down the coast. After passing the racecourse, we headed inland along the River Esk. This path is a more pleasant experience since the path was tarmac’d, no more ruts or stale river water puddles to contend with. And no more red mud splashes on the bike or clothes.

Not wanting to push my luck, we had lunch in Musselburgh, well at the Craig House Hotel between Whitecraig and Inveresk, it had been a cold morning, and everyone needed to warm up. They must have been waiting for us, because not only was the welcome warm, the heating had been turned up.

After lunch the clouds slowly melted, and we cycled in sunshine, spring was here. Grass was bright green, the leaf buds were more apparent and the daffodils shone with a bright yellow. Once on the Dalkeith – Penicuik path spring had sprung. The hills were a little challenging, if only because the wind was still in the north, but we all made it home in time for afternoon coffee.

Stepping out is sometimes the bravest thing you have to do. Once you’re out, the weather doesn’t seem so bad. Conversation can warm through the coldest breeze, and melts the iciest of hearts. Am I pleased I did the ride? Damn right. Thanks to everyone who turned up.

"Is it so small a thing
To have enjoy'd the sun,
To have lived light in the spring,
To have loved, to have thought, to have done?" - Mathew Arnold (Empedocles on Etna, 1870)

Thanks you very much to everyone who gave feedback on my recent email about how to go forward with large numbers attending the Rides. There was an overwhelming response to keep the pub lunches and a large number of people do not want to have lunch in a hall. The consensus was that the pub lunch makes the rides friendly and open. I have been contacting venues, and fortunately, most seem more than welcome to accommodate large numbers of cyclists, provided some advance notice is given. So you’ll all be pleased to know that the pub lunches stay.

Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose.

Hope to see you next month, same time, same place.

Warm Regards,

Explore, Dream, Discover

Ride Stats:

Distance:       52.14km (32.4 miles)
Average Speed:  16.8km (10.4 mph) Max 45.5 km/h
Total Climbing: 446 m (1463ft) Max gradient 9%
Time on bike:   3 hours 6 minutes
Max. Temp.:     8 deg C (46 deg F) in the afternoon, 5 deg C in the morning, starting from 1 Deg C

The Route:

The route headed up Lothian Road to Melville Drive, from there we turned left on to the Meadows cycle path, heading east to Buccleugh St. Here we turned right, heading south to Causewayside, where we turned left in to West Preston St., crossing Clerk St. to head along Eat Preston St. At Old Dalkeith Rd, we turned right, then left on to Holyrood Park Road. We joined turned left on to East Parkside, then did a 180 to access National Cycle Route 1, heading down the Innocent Railway, through Bingham and took the path to the left to Milton Rd at Brunstane.
At Milton Rd, heading east to Joppa, turning right on to Edinburgh Rd and Musselburgh. We turned left on to New St, accessing the coastal footpath at Musselburgh Harbour. We followed the path along to the River Esk, where we headed a little inland along Eskside West to cross the River Esk at North High Street using the footbridge.
Down Eskside East, Goose Green Cres, Millhill and Linkfield Rd passing Musselburgh Racecourse, then right at Levenhall roundabout on to Pinkie Rd. We followed Pinkie Rd, on to Inveresk Rd, passing Tesco’s at Mall Ave, turning off in to Eskmills Park to access the River Esk Cycle path to Cowpits Rd, where we turned left. Then a small circular route, turning left on to Carberry Rd, right on to Crookston Rd, right on Salters Rd, then right back on to Carberry Rd and the Craig House Hotel for lunch.

In the afternoon, we headed south along Carberry Rd, A6124, to Crossgatehall, turning right to Dalkeith along the B6414 and A6094 Musselburgh Rd at Dalkeith. Then along the High St, Eskbank Rd, turning right on to Cemetery Rd, then left on to the Dalkeith – Penicuik cycle path, over the A7, before turning off on to the path to bring us out at Hillhead B704. We turned right here to head toward Lasswade, turn left at the end of the road on to the A768, which we followed through Lasswade. At the traffic lights, we took the right fork on to Lasswade Road, which we followed all the way back in to Edinburgh.