Finding The Lost Shore (2)

A short ride to visit The Lost Shore along cycleways and quiet roads. This is an extension of a previous short ride to Ratho for our Ageing Well friends.

Edinburgh Gateway Station is accessible by both train and tram. It is a short walk from the Gyle Shopping Centre where there is easy, free parking for up to four hours. Unfortunately, e-bikes are no longer allowed on our Edinburgh trams but you should be ok on the trains.

From our start point we'll make our way westward to cross the A8 over the RBS bridge.

Following Gogarstone Road then Freelands Road and passing Ratho Byres Forge, we reach Ratho Marina. We'll pass The Bridge Inn on our right and head towards the The Lost Shore, avoiding the busiest roads. This will involve a longish (although not particularly steep) climb but is well worth the effort! We will wait patiently for everyone to catch up.

There will be time to watch the activities and take refreshments in the cafe. You can bring your own snacks if you prefer. There is both indoor and outdoor seating and also covered cycle racks where we can lock our bikes.

Returning downhill to Ratho, we join a pretty section of the canal towpath with minimal tree roots (sadly we can't avoid them all) and which doesn't involve bridges, A short woodland track takes us away from the canal to join Gogarmuir Road then we make our way to Edinburgh Park, Loch Ross, past the Gyle Centre and back to our start point.

The terrain is mostly tarmac and hardpacked surfaces, There is a short gravel section where we cross over the railway and under the city bypass to reach Edinburgh Park.

Helmets are recommended. If possible please bring a bike lock, a spare inner tube to fit your bike and have a strategy for getting home with your bike if you are unable to complete the ride for any reason. (eg friend/taxi).

We never leave anyone behind!