Ormiston Yew and Me

An 18 mile cycle starting at Dalkeith High School Campus and picking up the Old Pencaitland Railway line to Ormiston to see the Ormiston Yew, returning at the other end of the Railway line to Rosearista for coffee and then back to Ormiston, up the steep hill to Cousland and back to the start. Just over 900' of elevation.
This is a moderately challenging ride starting at Dalkeith High School Campus and taking the the Old Pencaitland Railway line to Ormiston and then heading south on the roads to pick up an off road "gravelly' road to see the Ormiston Yew, then carrying on south and turning east past the turnoff fro Glenkinchie and picking up the Railway line again to Rosearista for coffee and then back to Ormiston finishing with the steep wee hill up to Cousland and back to DHS. There is a short section of approx 100m that we will need to walk to see the Ormiston Yew tree.
All of this is essentially a gravel ride and also suitable for hybrid or mountain bikes. It could be suitable for road bikes with bigger tyres (30 or 32mm) but only if you feel competent and confident on gravel sections, If it's been raining for days beforehand and then the railway line becomes a bit of a 'mudfest' so will assess nearer the time and will review. Aiming for 8 - 10mph - we wont leave anyone behind but you need to be able to do a couple of hills on the way back- hence calling this a challenging ride.